On March 25, 2025, Garcelle Beauvais surprised Real Housewives of Beverly Hills fans by announcing her departure from the show after five seasons. The news came just hours before the Season 14 finale was set to air.
Beauvais, the first Black Housewife in RHOBH history, cited family commitments and new projects as her reason for leaving. However, her exit has sparked controversy. Fellow cast members Erika Jayne and Bozoma Saint John appeared on Watch What Happens Live that same evening and criticized the timing and nature of her departure. Combined with a heated reunion episode and a dramatic walk-off, Beauvais’s exit has become a point of contention both on and off screen.
Beauvais, 58, announced her departure on Instagram the morning of March 25. That night, Erika Jayne, 53, and newcomer Bozoma Saint John, 48, appeared on WWHL with Andy Cohen. When asked about Garcelle’s exit, both initially hesitated before offering pointed remarks.
“I’m disappointed she’s departing like this,” Saint John said, referencing Beauvais’s reunion walkout. “I wish she’d stuck around to work out another season.” Jayne added, “I really wish you stuck it out,” in a tone that suggested underlying tension, according to Deadline.
Though Garcelle received support from castmate Sutton Stracke—who posted “Nothing but greatness” on X—the tone from Erika and Bozoma made it clear there were unresolved issues behind the scenes.
The reunion trailer, released just after Beauvais’s announcement, shed further light on the tension. Filmed on February 28, the upcoming three-part episode airing April 1 shows Beauvais at the center of multiple confrontations.
One major moment involves accusations that she questioned the legitimacy of Dorit Kemsley’s 2021 home invasion. “Was I the only one that felt that way?” Beauvais says in the trailer, prompting Kemsley to reply, “You tell me who else? Your four Twitter people?”
The trailer ends with Beauvais shouting, “I am just so f------ sick of it,” before walking off and telling producers backstage, “I can’t be friends with these people. They’re all f------ assholes.”
This stood in contrast to the calmer tone of her Instagram announcement earlier that day, where she said, “It’s been a wild ride… I’m leaving for my boys’ last high school year and exciting projects.” Andy Cohen has stated that the “door’s always open” should she choose to return.
Timeline: When Everything Unfolded
The Instagram announcement was posted at 10:26 AM (+04) on March 25. That evening, WWHL aired at 11 PM ET, filmed live from New York. The reunion, taped February 28 in Los Angeles, was clearly recorded weeks before her official announcement.
Beauvais’s departure has drawn strong responses for a reason. Since joining the cast in 2020 during Season 10, she’s been a significant presence on the show and the first Black woman in the RHOBH lineup. Her time on the show included conflicts with Dorit Kemsley, Kyle Richards, and even Sutton Stracke, particularly during Season 14. The reunion trailer makes it clear she felt isolated by the end. While some fans supported her exit, others saw it as poorly timed or even unprofessional. Erika Jayne has a history of clashing with Beauvais, and Bozoma Saint John’s comments indicate she aligned with the existing group dynamics.
Beauvais herself has acknowledged that “some hard things happened,” which some speculate could be related to past racial dynamics on the show. Her son Jax was previously the target of a bot-led harassment campaign in 2022, which the cast addressed at the time.
Fan response remains divided. Sutton Stracke posted a supportive message on X: “Can’t wait to see what’s up your sleeve.” Andy Cohen added, “An incredible run,” while actress Jennifer Tilly said, “We’ll miss your integrity,”.
But criticism exists too. X user fearqueerhorror wrote, “She can dish it but can’t take it,” while others called her exit “disappointing.”
Beauvais hasn’t responded publicly to the backlash. Her recent social media posts have focused on her twin sons, Jax and Jaid, as they approach high school graduation. She’s also been linked to upcoming projects with Lifetime, according to Hollywood Reporter.