Amanda Batula won’t return to Summer House for season 11 amid her controversial romance with West Wilson, according to multiple sources.
“Amanda was not invited back to season 11,” one source exclusively tells Us Weekly, noting that execs thought it wouldn’t “be a fun summer” without having “organic relationships with the rest of the cast.”
The insider emphasizes that Summer House is “about the cast having a good time together” despite any “ups and downs” they may experience as a group. (Amanda appeared in Summer House season 1 in 2017 before becoming a cast member in season 2.)
“Amanda seems to agree it’s not a good fit,” the source tells Us, adding that other cast members are also “in agreement with the decision.”
Amanda Batula on “Summer House.” Kareem Black/Bravo
As for whether she’ll return for the Summer House spinoff, In the City, after its debut season, the source says “it’s up in the air.”
According to a separate insider, OG Summer House stars Lindsay Hubbard, Carl Radke and Amanda’s estranged husband, Kyle Cooke, are all hoping to return for season 11 and are in contract negotiations.
A third source, meanwhile, tells Us that Amanda, 34, “wants to focus on her mental health” after the contentious season 10 reunion, where she was grilled about the timeline of her relationship with West, 31, who is also not returning next season.
“Amanda doesn’t feel those are her genuine friendships anymore and wants to focus on her next chapter and what that looks like,” the source says. “[She] and West are at ease that they will not be on the show. They are both OK with moving on.”
News broke earlier this month that West will not be back as a full-time cast member for season 11.
“West isn’t coming back,” a source told Us at the time. “He could still make an appearance on Summer House or In the City in the future, especially if things with Amanda progress, but he’s not a cast member this season.”
Amanda Batula, West Wilson on “Summer House.” Clifton Prescod/Bravo
A separate source later confirmed to Us that West’s departure from the franchise was a mutual decision between him and network executives.
“[West was] already feeling like his time on the show was coming to an end,” the source added. “It became even clearer that there wasn’t a long-term fit anymore. He is at peace with the decision and is focusing on his podcast and other business ventures.”
West broke his silence about his Summer House exit during an Instagram recap with The Broadcast Boys shared Wednesday, June 24, saying, “I wanted to tell it on my own but that [exit rumor] is true. In [Bravo’s] defense, I don’t think it would have been a fun summer.”
West and Amanda announced in March that they were dating, despite previously denying they had any romantic feelings for each other. Just two months earlier, Amanda and Kyle, 43, confirmed their separation.
Summer House airs on Bravo. Old episodes can be streamed on Peacock.
