West Wilson, 31, says the rumors about his exit from Summer House are true, explaining he wanted to address it himself ahead of season 11. He also revisits the Amanda Batula romance backlash, including how a rumored video allegedly triggered a “panic, rush mod
West Wilson didn’t wait for season 11 to bring up his exit from Summer House. On Wednesday, June 24, the 31-year-old broke his silence during an Instagram breakdown on The Broadcast Boys’ account—and admitted the rumor that had been swirling for months wasn’t just talk.
“I wanted to tell it on my own but that [exit rumor] is true,” West said, adding, “In [Bravo’s] defense, I don’t think it would have been a fun summer.”
The timing matters. Just days earlier, Us Weekly reported on June 15 that West would not be returning after what it described as a hostile interrogation from castmates at the recent season 10 reunion over his relationship with costar Amanda Batula.
At the center of that tension: West had previously dated Amanda’s best friend, Ciara Miller. And while Amanda announced her separation from estranged husband Kyle Cooke in January, West’s romance with Batula only came into public view later—after both denied any romantic feelings for each other.
Following the reunion fallout, an insider told Us that West wasn’t coming back as a cast member this season. The person added that he could still appear in the future—either on Summer House or on Amanda’s spinoff show, In the City—especially if things between the couple continued to progress.
In his own version of the story. West later described a different emotional note: the idea of an ending that had been building rather than arriving out of nowhere. During the same interview. an insider said the departure was a mutual decision between West and the network. explaining West was already feeling like his time on the show was coming to an end. The insider said it became even clearer there wasn’t a long-term fit. and that West is at peace with the decision while focusing on his podcast and other business ventures.
West and Amanda, meanwhile, have been defending their relationship publicly since they announced they were dating in March. Both had previously denied there were any romantic feelings between them, and the announcement sparked backlash from fans and costars.
On March 31, the couple released a joint statement addressing the online speculation. “We’ve seen the growing online speculation. so while this is still very new. we wanted to provide some clarity. ” they said. “It was never our intention to purposely hide anything. Given the complicated relationship dynamics involved and the scrutiny that comes with being on a reality show. we needed a little space to process things privately before speaking on it.”.
They continued: “We’ve shown up for each other as friends over the years. through all the highs and lows. and what’s developed recently was the last thing either of us expected. Our connection grew out of a genuine. longstanding friendship. which made it especially important for us to approach this with care.”.
The statement ended with an acknowledgment of impact beyond the couple: “As our feelings evolved. we wanted to take time to understand exactly what we were feeling. We also recognize that this has had an impact beyond just us and never wanted our actions to cause any hurt or be perceived as careless. We truly appreciate the understanding and respect as we navigate this.”.
During his conversation on The Broadcast Boys. West also pushed back on claims that there was overlap between Amanda and her life before the relationship became public. “There was no overlap,” West said. “I know there’s a thousand different theories on the internet right now but that is one thing that for sure did not happen.”.
He also detailed how his and Amanda’s March statement apparently lined up with the first time they became intimate. “We f***ed after the statement but we’d been like making out and having sleepovers for a long time. … I was still doing the wrong thing but I was like … I’m not committing a crime,” West said.
And he addressed another rumor that kept spreading: speculation that their public statement in March was prompted by the existence of an apparent video of them “canoodling.” West said. “I haven’t seen [the video] but I’ve heard from credible sources it does [exist]. ” then added. “It’s very illegal. I’d like to note.”.
He clarified what he believed the video showed. “From what I’ve been told it was Amanda and I canoodling in my apartment from one of my neighbors across the street. That’s what kinda kicked off everything into panic, rush mode.”
West also argued there’s a reality-show version of privacy rules—especially in New York. “I guess I’ve always thought in New York there’s an unspoken rule that we can all see each other across our f***ing windows and balconies, like, don’t film each other,” he said.
For fans watching from outside the house. the details read like two parallel storylines colliding: an exit that arrives just before season 11. and a romance that has already survived accusations. backlash. and reunion pressure. And despite doubts from others on the cast—Us Weekly previously reported that sources said the cast doesn’t think West and Amanda will last—West is still speaking with the kind of insistence that suggests the controversy isn’t finished just because Summer House is.
Summer House airs on Bravo, and old episodes are available to stream on Peacock.
West Wilson Summer House Amanda Batula The Broadcast Boys Bravo In the City season 11 Kyle Cooke Ciara Miller reality TV romance backlash Instagram breakdown