Summer House newbie KJ Dillard says he and co-star Dara Levitan briefly split after he was hospitalized for self-harm, revealing he was diagnosed with borderline personality disorder late last year and that Dara ended the relationship so he could heal.
KJ Dillard didn’t dodge the messy parts of being a public boyfriend on Summer House.
On Tuesday, June 2, during the “More Life With Carl Radke” podcast, the 28-year-old opened up about the “good, bad and ugly” of dating co-star Dara Levitan, 33, while fans watched their connection unfold in season 10. KJ said he’s grateful for the supporters—but also felt the backlash.
“A lot of people are supportive, and I’m thankful for them,” he said. “But then, a lot of people are hating.”
KJ and Dara were introduced during Summer House season 10 by West Wilson. 31. and while things stayed frosty between KJ and West. KJ emphasized that he doesn’t regret that introduction. “We do a good job at not letting [the public] tear us apart,” he said. “It affects us individually. of course. but the relationship. we both know what we want and what we’ve gone through together.”.
“It was gnarly,” KJ added. “It’s, honestly, some love story s*** that we’re not gonna let outside influence affect that.”
But behind the show’s romance narrative, KJ said his relationship life was shaped by his mental health struggles—and by what happened after he landed in the hospital.
In the same podcast episode. KJ said he and Dara took a brief break after Summer House season 10 while he was dealing with mental health. “Pre-show, nothing was really going on for me. Modeling was slow. I’d taken a break during the summer to focus on the show,” he explained. “Financially, I was in a terrible place. Me and Dara were struggling because I was taking out what I was going through out on her. I wasn’t even aware of it.”.
During part 1 of the Summer House season 10 reunion, which aired May 26, KJ shared that he was diagnosed with borderline personality disorder late last year after being hospitalized for self-harm. He also said he wasn’t getting the full support he needed at the time.
“I also was not in therapy [at the time],” KJ continued. “I was only on one medication for my anxiety and depression, but I didn’t realize that I had another diagnosis.”
For KJ, he called the moment his “rock bottom.” He said Dara “broke up” with him “because she had to.” He also explained that Mia Calabrese, a Summer House costar, told Dara to break up with KJ so he could heal.
“Dara, I think, was gonna hang on … but that wouldn’t have been good for either of us,” KJ said. “I needed the time, because after the hospital, I went to recovery … and that’s when we broke up.”
He continued, “Looking back, if me and Dara were dating when I was in recovery, it would have been a mess. I would have been focused on saving the relationship rather than focusing on my health. Recovery changed my life.”
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Summer House KJ Dillard Dara Levitan West Wilson Mia Calabrese More Life With Carl Radke season 10 reunion borderline personality disorder self-harm mental health recovery
So wait he was hospitalized and then they broke up? Summer House always seems toxic like why are we watching this.
I don’t get how “borderline personality disorder” even relates to a breakup like… isn’t that just a label from a doctor? People online acting like Dara broke his heart but the article says she wanted him to heal.
Borderline personality disorder late last year?? That sounds like they’re making it a storyline for the show. Also hospitalization for self-harm like… I’m not judging but I’m judging. I swear this was all planned bc cameras.
Carl Radke podcast talking about “backlash” is crazy lol. Like people were mad but also he admitted financially terrible and mentally struggling… then fans still act like they deserve details. This feels like they’re selling a love story s*** and calling it healing.