Kathryn Dennis confirms leaving Southern Charm after eight seasons

Kathryn Dennis says goodbye southern charm.

The 31-year-old reality star is exiting the hit Bravo show after eight seasons, PEOPLE can EXCLUSIVELY confirm.

“What a wild ride!” she said in a statement. “Can you believe I was 21 when I first started filming? southern charm, returned to the first season? That was his 2013, and it’s safe to say that in the decade that followed, my life changed in ways I could never have imagined. It hasn’t always been easy, but I’m very fortunate to have a real-life camera that allows me to capture so many unforgettable moments (and sometimes I even want to capture some of them). ”

Denise continues. I had to work through it all, but I realized I wasn’t alone. I appreciate it very much. ”

“I will carry that love with me as I enter the next chapter of my life. southern charm lens. Thank you to Bravo, Haymaker producers and my castmates in Charleston,” she adds. If anything like the last decade, it would be a memorable ride. LFGMore [let’s f—ing go].”

News of Denise’s departure came after she shared her goals for the year on Instagram, writing, “I don’t know about you, but I’m feeling 2023. My New Year’s resolution is to have more hope.” , to spread my grace🙏💞”

The course of Denise’s life changed when she joined southern charm in 2014. The then 21-year-old met her 29-year-old Thomas Ravenel, embarked on a tumultuous love affair that spanned several seasons, and had two children. Her daughter Kensington Calhoun, 8, became pregnant during the filming of season one, and her 6-year-old son St. Julian got pregnant between seasons.

Denise and Ravenel, 60, went through years of grueling custody battles and allegations of dealing, then went on to have another child with another woman unrelated to the Bravo show.

While attending BravoCon in October 2022, Denise told PEOPLE, “I’m focused on building a better life for me, them, and our family.”

When a fan asked during the show about his relationship with Ravenel, southern charm At a panel at BravoCon, when asked about the advice the show’s stars would give themselves going into season one, Kathryn responded, “Pick another guy.”

Most recently, Denise has shown another rocky romance with Ravenel — Kleb Ravenel, no relation to Thomas Ravenel — in recent seasons. Southern charm.

During the fight that led to their initial split, Denise accused him of being “emotionally unavailable” and said, “Perhaps you shouldn’t be in a relationship.

She continued, “I can’t keep trying if I don’t feel like you’re trying. I imagined what it would be like to have a moment where we really like going our separate ways.” I didn’t, but I really think that’s what’s best for you…and for me.”

They later revealed they were back together, but Dennis said the flare-up happened because “basically, Charleston has some slim pickings.”

Soon after, Denise said she felt something was wrong “in my gut” about the relationship, and the relationship ended quickly.

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southern charm Full streaming available on Peacock.