Chrishell Stause and Nicole Young have butted heads ever since Nicole replaced Christine Quinn as the newest villain of The Oppenheim Group in Selling Sunset Season 6. But their feud has never been more serious than the homophobic accusations in Season 8.
What did Nicole say that was homophobic on Selling Sunset?
Nicole was first accused of being homophobic toward Chrishell in Selling Sunset Season 7, when she claimed that Nicole had supported a homophobic comment toward her. “I was hoping the lesbian chick was off in Australia this season and not on our screens. Whatever her name is, I forgot. Nicole you look great!” a user commented on Nicole’s Instagram, to which Nicole responded, “Thank you!!” with a heart emoji.
The comment was brought up by host Tan France during the Selling Sunset Season 7 reunion where Chrishell’s friend and cast mate, Chelsea Lazkani, explained why Nicole’s response to the user was offensive toward Chrishell, who has been dating nonbinary singer G Flip since 2022. “When somebody identifies Chrisell through her sexuality in a derogatory way and then you comment back to it, you’re basically cosigning that message,” Chelsea said.
Nicole, for her part, defended herself, claiming that she didn’t know it was homophobic to call someone a “gay man” or a “lesbian woman.” Chrishell responded by telling Nicole she “hates” her.
“First of all, say whatever you want about me, I’m a tough bitch,” she said. “But don’t go after my partner. Ever. Listen, I will own it. I’ve been a bitch to you. I hate you. I own it… If you’re gonna literally go to homophobic people and cheer them on because they hate me for that reason, that is hate, Nicole.”
The drama was brought up again during Selling Sunset Season 8 when Nicole made an alleged dig toward Nicole in a Selling Sunset group chat after Selling Sunset was nominated for a GLAAD Award. “The show was nominated for a GLAAD award. Chrishell sent a text to the group thanking everyone for being supportive of her coming out on the show,” she recalled. “I think there was maybe a slight dig at Nicole,” cast member Amanza Smith explained to Jason Oppenheim in a scene.
In the text message, Chrishell wrote, “Coming out on the show was obviously maybe the most stressful thing ever. And dealing with so many relentless homophobes for years and having to deal with someone you cast on the show spreading hate about this. So this is SO nice. Thank you to everyone that has always been supportive — millions of people look up to you! It makes a difference — so I just wanted to say thank you. And congrats!”
Nicole, for her part, denied suggestions she was homophobic in her text back to the group. “I would like to point out that all of you who responded to this text did the EXACT same thing that I have been unfairly crucified for. You all ignored the accusation Chrishell clearly made toward me but simply responded to the positive aspects of her text,” Nicole wrote. “The double standard is bullshit. If anyone tries to claim that she didn’t mention my name? Well the woman who made the comment on my Instagram didn’t mention Chrishell’s name either.”
Nicole also maintained that her “likes” of negative comments toward Chrishell’s sexuality weren’t “intentional” supports of hate speech. “To me there are two options, you either are homophobic or you’re not and you were just so excited and wrapped up in your hate for me that you banded onto people that hated me and happened to be attacking me for my sexuality,” Chrishell responded to Nicole. “If you owned it I would be like, ‘OK.’ I would respect it and we could move on.”
After being urged by Jason and his brother, Brett Oppenheim, to “take accountability,” Nicole apologized to Chrishell. “It was a stupid mistake,” Nicole said. I fully support you. I am not homophobic. It tears me up that your or anyone else would think that because I am not. I know how hurtful it is. I am truly, deeply sorry.”
While Nicole and Chrishell seemed to have mended ties by the end of the season, Chrishell slammed Nicole in an Instagram Story the week before Selling Sunset Season 8 premiered after learning of a rumor she spread that cast mate Emma Hernan had an affair with a married man. “Disclaimer when you watch: Just know she spews a disgusting lie about a bestie that is categorically FALSE and SUPER damaging,” Chrishell wrote. “It is NOT TRUE. [And] @done_and_done_productions you are disgusting for blindsiding [my friend] with this to see with the world instead of letting her at LEAST defend herself with the TRUTH.”
Chelsea also blasted Nicole for bringing the rumor up on screen, as well as supported Chrishell’s claims that Nicole was both homophobic and transphobic. “@itsnicoleyoung You are the most diabolical piece of [trash] I’ve ever met, you wanna start a rumor about Emma because all the rumors about you are true. Okay let’s see how this works out for you….” Chelsea wrote. She continued by tagging Nicole, as well as rival cast mates Bre Tiesi and Mary Bonnet: “You lie, placate, steal meanwhile your own [trash] has landed some of you in lawsuits. I’ve kept quiet until now, but this is not okay.”
In another slide, Chelsea wrote, “FYI: Nicole is not the only homophobic and transphobic cast member.”
Selling Sunset is available to stream on Netflix.
