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After months of uncertainty surrounding Southern Hospitality, Bravo has officially confirmed that the Charleston-based reality series will return for Season 5.
Questions about the show’s future intensified after several cast members who worked for Leva Bonaparte at Republic Garden & Lounge in Charleston, South Carolina, moved on. Some reportedly joined a competing hospitality group, fueling alleged tension between them and Leva.
Those developments came into sharper focus last weekend during Bravo Fan Fest. Many fans expected Leva, 47, who lives in the area, to appear at the event.
When a fan asked about her absence on Threads, Leva replied, “I live here, yes. No I asked Bravo to kindly release of their roster! I’m moving on to a new chapter of my life! Appreciated my time there, but it’s no longer serving me … new projects on the horizon!”
During Friday night’s taping of Watch What Happens Live at Bravo Fan Fest, Andy Cohen was asked directly whether Leva had left Bravo voluntarily or had been dismissed.
“The truth of the matter is I don’t know any tea about that,” Andy, 58, answered as fans booed what appeared to be an evasive response. “Except that they’re going to be in production on the next season very soon. So you’ll have to ask one of the… Southern Hospitality people. They’ll be around. Ask them. Maybe they know.”
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Amid the speculation, an insider spoke exclusively with Reality Blurb and shared additional claims about what happened behind the scenes.
“Leva did not quit,” the source said, alleging instead that she had been “fired” by the network.
The insider also claimed the cast was confused by Andy’s suggestion that viewers ask them for answers. “They find that weird/strange,” the source said.
As for the cast members who remain closest to Leva, another source identified Lake Rucker as one person who has continued to support her.
“Lake no longer works for Republic,” the source explained. “But she does help out in a store that sells home goods and some apparel inside Leva’s daiquiri spot, Zachary’s Daiquiris.”
“Lake has remained loyal to Leva,” the source added. “While she feels the rest of the cast is free to do as they wish, and remains close with some of them, she is not going to turn her back on Leva.”
It remains unclear whether Lake will appear in Season 5. According to the source, her status with Southern Hospitality is “not certain at this time.”