Selling Sunset’s Mary Bonnet Opens Up About the Adverse Effects the Show Had on Her Career
Mary Bonnet candidly addressed the challenges she faced during her nine seasons on Selling Sunset.
“This show actually harmed my real estate career,” Mary, 45, shared exclusively with Us Weekly, while discussing her current involvement in animal advocacy. “I initially joined Selling Sunset thinking it would boost my business — and for a while, it did.”
Mary reflected on when her professional landscape shifted.
“The behavior [became problematic]. I was told that other agents would leverage some of the girls’ actions by asking clients, ‘Is this really who you want representing you?’ I wasn’t involved in that,” she explained. “I was trying to mitigate it, but it still affected me.”
The real estate agent became part of Selling Sunset when it debuted in March 2019. Mary surprised audiences by opting to leave before season 10.
“It hasn’t impacted Jason [Oppenheim], but he’s distanced from all the drama. Anything that happened — even though I wasn’t a part of it — still influenced my career. I lost numerous clients and deals because of it,” she recounted. “Even in this tough market, I just secured a listing from a previous client. So I have a $4.5 million listing coming up.”
The reality series quickly became a hit for Netflix, introducing viewers to the team at the high-end Los Angeles real estate firm, The Oppenheim Group. Since its launch, the stars of the show have encountered various challenges, both on-screen and off, due to the series’ fame.
“If it were more positive, I absolutely [would return to reality TV],” she stated to Us. “I wouldn’t thrive on shows like The Housewives. That’s just not me, and it would take a toll on me. I’m not fond of conflict, and while I know people enjoy drama, I find it soul-draining.”
She added: “I would love to participate in another show because I enjoyed my time on TV. I never expected to feel that way, but I cherished certain aspects. Yet, I also aim to use my platform for positive change.”
Mary has harnessed her voice to support causes close to her heart, particularly advocating for the animal shelter crisis in Los Angeles.
“There are countless ways people can help, whether it’s through fostering, adopting, or donating to rescues. Shelters aren’t properly funding the dogs, leading to a significant crisis,” she told Us. “If you’re unable to do any of those things, consider volunteering at a shelter — even if it’s just taking photos or videos of the animals to post online.”
Mary’s advocacy against kill shelters has fueled her rescue mission, stating, “There’s a pervasive misconception that shelter dogs are damaged. In reality, they’re incredibly loving and appreciative. Even fostering for just two weeks can make a difference; they crave kindness and affection.”
She concluded: “We need people’s support. Whatever help you can offer — even if it’s simply raising awareness or sharing a post about a dog looking for a home — you never know who might see it.”
