Even though it's a reality show, they have to keep their real estate license on the real real! Chrissy Teigen recently tweeted that she has never come across any of these agents in the LA market, questioning the legitimacy of our favorite agents. The Oppenheim Group put this to rest very quickly showing the receipts - their licenses!
On top of that, Chrissy Teigen was less than genuinely invited to their office via Twitter by Heather Rae Young, suggesting she take a look at some new listings. Meanwhile, Chrishell Stause wrote on Instagram "Staging starts tomorrow, hits the market Monday. I'm really a real realtor — LOL!" And Jason Oppenheim told People magazine "Mary, Heather, Maya, and Christine were licensed and successful real estate agents at the Oppenheim Group many years prior to filming our show." So they didn't just become realtors yesterday,
Honestly, just because you’re on TV doesn’t mean you get to act like you’re better than the rest of your coworkers. The cast knows this firsthand because they still have to get along with their off-screen coworkers just like everyone else. It's important not to let fame get to your head. #Stayhumble
However, it hasn't always been so easy getting along. While at first they did get along, later on, tensions between the cast and their clashing storylines led to feuds between Christine and Chrishell, Mary and Christine, and Davina and Jason among others. But of course, you really can't have a reality show without a proper feud.
While the producers have the exclusive right to edit the cast however, they want, per their extensive contract, they don’t however influence the drama during the season. Chrishell told us on Instagram, "The show isn't scripted. If it were, I would be pissed! Who wrote that plot twist?!" referencing her divorce.
Just like in real life, there's daily drama in their actual lives. Just because they are wealthy, doesn't mean their lives are free of drama. Besides, some things are so messed up, they couldn't possibly be scripted. Now, is there a little improv in the show? Well, it's difficult to say...
Speaking of the producers editing, each cast member signed their life away to the network allowing them to edit their on-screen persona for weeks on end. Producer Adam DiVello told Variety, “I can’t tell you how many hours we would sit in an edit bay just working on one scene. I think most reality shows would have turned it out in a day and we'll spend a week.”
Because the show is not scripted, not everything said on camera is relevant or entertaining for viewers to watch, editing is a necessary part of putting the show together to create an episode. Because their words will be edited, Netflix has to have them sign on the dotted line for their own protection against legal action.
Let’s be real, every show needs a villain. Sometimes the villain won’t even know that they’re being edited as the villain until the show airs, and there’s nothing they can do about it! Christine Quinn told Nylon, “There were certain things where I had trust in production, but they didn't have our backs. I was really surprised seeing the way they portrayed me."
The editing of a reality show like Selling Sunset really shapes each episode, more so than the dialogue itself. By picking out select dialogue and removing certain moments from a particular "scene," the editing can make someone look bad or make them look particularly good. That's the "fake" part of reality shows like this because real life is, of course, unfiltered.
What makes Selling Sunset different from other reality TV is that the cast can’t actually show interest in being included on the show. So, don’t act desperate ok? Producer Adam DiVello told Variety, "I tend to try to find the people who don’t necessarily want to be on TV.”
This is another element that really lends to the reality of the show. People who want to be on TV, really act like they want to be on TV. They are fake and they act fake. Producers can sense this from a mile, they just don't care most of the time.
Like any other real estate agent, the cast members very rarely get a day off. It’s still a grind for them to score their next property and bring home that commission. In fact, Mary Fitzgerald sold a mansion over the phone while getting her and makeup done before she walked down the aisle!
So, just because they are in fact on TV, doesn't make their lives any easier. Just like any real estate agent, they are always on call and always needed to make a sale. At least they are getting well-paid for it all, especially because they are also getting paid by Netflix.
Speaking of hair and makeup, Netflix won’t foot the bill for their glam squad. Christine revealed to Page Six that she does her own hair and makeup for the show because “I’m just so great at it and I love doing it myself because I’m kind of a control freak.”
This is yet another element that makes the show real. Of course, in real life, we don't have professionals working on our makeup every day like celebrities. By putting on their own makeup, the cast can look just like their authentic selves. They can also appear on camera in a way that really gives them the confidence they need to feel their best.
We can’t help but wonder why Chrishell and Heather kept their men off the show, but the answer is less juicy than we’d like to think. Their competing contracts just didn’t allow it. Justin and Tarek work for NBC and HGTV respectively, and neither would let them appear on the show.
And this really doesn't help with the reality aspect. While we don't really know how much time the ladies spend with their men off-camera, the truth is that it's really awkward to see them not appear at all. But what is a television show without a non-compete clause? But whoever their husbands are, we are sure they are great.
While their men can’t come on the show, this couldn’t stop Chrishell from going on Dancing With the Stars and Heather from making an appearance on Tarek’s show Flipping 101 after their engagement. A crossover episode, how nice....
Crossover episodes are always a great way to boose ratings and get people to watch other shows they might not have watched before. And it only seems fair that their star cast be able to market their brand in other places. They are their own people outside of the show.
You would think the name of the show, Selling Sunset was self-explanatory, but the cast must still sign and sell real listings. Although some have challenged the legitimacy of the show, there is proof of the contrary. If you need the proof, just visit the Oppenheim Group website and you’ll find all their real listings!
Chrissy Teigen, who previously denied the legitimacy of the Selling Sunset listings was proven wrong firsthand. In an ironic twist of fate, it was Jason Oppenheim from Selling Sunset that showed Chrissy Teigen's and John Legend's home in September 2020. The home was put up for sale for $23,950,000.
Unlike your regular office, in-office romances are fair game in the Oppenheim Group. In fact, Jason Oppenheim allegedly dated Mary before they just decided to be friends. But their romantic past hasn't seemed to affect their work relationship. Afterall, it’s all about who you know in the real estate world.
However, just because they can date their co-stars, doesn't necessarily mean they want to. In response to a question about whether Oppenheim would date a co-star in the future, he said "That's such a big bowl of mess that I don't need to get into...I've never dated anyone that was working at the Oppenheim Group and there's no one that I would consider."
Picking favorites seems less than fair, but despite the gripes, the brokers pick and choose which agents get the best listings. So, if you ever find yourself cast on the show, just know you’ll have to get in good with your broker before you bring home the big bucks (but your biggest competition for the top spot will obviously be Mary!)
Of course, they have their reasons for it. Not every agent has the same strengths and skills as another agent. Like any other place of work, you pick the person who is up to the task. And not every person can sell every home. Picking favorites is all part of being a broker.
You’d think these gorgeous agents would be locked down tight with their firm, but actually, they can earn a commission with other firms too! Well, that is as long as they’re not competitors, of course. Maya Vander also works as an agent for Miami’s Douglas Elliman Real Estate. It's in part, how she stays successful.
There are a number of reasons why a real estate agent might choose to work for more than one firm. For one, you might want to do business over more than one location. Another reason is you want to sell different types of properties, commercial or residential. With that said, being part of multiple firms gives you more opportunities.
While the show all started at the Oppenheim Group, the cast can move on to other firms. This is what Jason’s brother Brett did, and it’s also what Maya, Heather, and Christine are thinking about doing as well. Just as in "real life" new opportunities present themselves and agents move on with their careers.
leaving is totally doable in the context of the show. After all, the show isn't called the Oppenheim Group, it's called Selling Sunset. Potentially, agents moving to a new firm could be good for the show, freshening it up with some new faces and some change of scenery. Who knows what the future may hold?
To make those coins, these ladies must be knocking on doors and slinging for-sale signs. Each agent’s income is solely based on the commission gained from each sale. Now it makes sense why they never get a day off! To make money they must always be selling.
Those on 100% commission have no base salary. All money made is from sales. When you don't sell, you don't get paid. This can be a dangerous line of work to get into if you don't have any leads or know what you are doing. Selling real estate is definitely not for everyone.
Since the cast members are now famous real estate barbies, they can totally monetize their Instagram and earn some extra cash. Heather is apparently a social media guru because she earns the most per post according to 95-106 Capital FM. It’s all about the business, ladies!
Social media presence has also no doubt boosted their popularity in terms of gaining more viewers as well as bringing attention to herself as a real estate agent. It's important not to underestimate the power of social media. There are plenty of people out there famous because of social media alone.
Along with real listings with real commissions, each cast member must also have actual clients! Who would have thought? However, not every client has to be on the show—just the ones that are comfortable making an appearance! Like any other person on the show, clients must give their permission to be on camera.
Unfortunately, life as a real estate agent isn't any easier for ones on TV. Netflix doesn't help real estate agents find clients nor do they provide them. The agents must find their own clientele and generate sales leads. It's a tough job but only a real real estate agent can do it!
Because each agent’s income is based solely on their commission, they can earn a lot of money from the sale of a super pricey house. Christine told Nylon, “If I close on a $6 million house, I’m going to take a break for a little while, I’m going to take it easy.” But if she’s only selling those rinky-dink $2 million houses, she’s obviously going to keep working.
One home featured on Selling Sunset sold for quite a bit of money. A Los Angeles home sold for $43.9 million dollars. The 20,000 square-foot home at 8408 Hillside Ave has a swimming pool and a 15ft television screen. It even had a 12-car garage and a glass elevator.
There's usually a break between filming schedules on most reality shows, but that’s just not the case for the cast of Selling Sunset. Apparently, after season two, the cameras never stopped filming! Season three picked up only three days after season two ended. That’s insane! it seems the show is going on strong though.
Thus far, there have been 24 episodes in the series. The season has been renewed for a fourth and fifth season, presumably another 16 episodes since there have been eight in each season. As the show was just renewed on March 11th, 2021, the air date for the fourth season is not yet known.
