In the final season of Selling Sunset, we see the Oppenheim Group finally close its infamous Sunset Boulevard office in favor of a larger, fancier space…right next door. In many ways, it feels like a metaphor for the entire season – seemingly bigger and more opulent than the last, but in all the ways that matter, nonetheless. Our favorite players (and a few new faces) all come together to partake in time-honored Group O traditions: tense group dinners, a doomed work trip, and staged showdowns on the balconies of million-dollar properties of dollars.
Although the drama gives an air of frivolity, this series has always been a power struggle between agents, lovers and twins. But who is the most successful, most connected, and ultimately most powerful character in the cast? In a season that featured TikTok celebrity clients, a secret Vegas wedding, unplanned rope climbs and a moment on a private jet, there’s no shortage of suitors — but only one actor comes out on top.
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Honestly, there doesn’t have to be two.
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This season, Marie-Lou inexplicably decides to feud with Chrishell for (allegedly) making her feel unwelcome about the frequent social obligations that come with being a member of Group O (romantic, professional, or Jason Oppenheim Two-for-One Special ). The German model is green when it comes to girl-on-girl drama and is way out of her depths for Chrishell, a seasoned veteran of the sport. His allegations are mostly baseless, except for the claim that no one pronounces his name correctly. This one seems mostly true.
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She seems nice…too nice. She won’t last long.
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Heather, one foot out on maternity leave, gives us almost nothing this season. Its highlights include a very pregnant belly and an extended house tour featuring extremely off-putting sexual tension between Bre and 20-year-old Josh Richards in the season premiere. Motherhood is powerful, though, so Heather gets a few points.
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This season, Nikki Glaser tackles Chrishell with an endless three-minute round of half-baked stand-up in a staged house, resulting in an Oscar-worthy performance as a solo member of Chrishell’s audience. In her desperation to see someone else cry comedy, she saves a drowning bee.
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Like Davina before her, Nicole is simply someone who doesn’t belong here. Due mainly to pre-season arguments, most of the cast is determined to hate her, and Nicole’s refusal to apologize doesn’t help the situation at all. The drama she brings is boring and her victim mentality is tired and unwarranted. I wouldn’t want it on my pajamas either.
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Does absolutely nothing to resolve the tensions between Chrishell and Marie-Lou. Climb on the bell for no reason. Truly powerful people don’t have to prove themselves in this way.
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Romantic partners have always taken a bit of a backseat to the show’s main cast, but G Flip emerged this season with understated power both on and off screen. They’re touring Australia, playing with Amanza and contacting O’s hottest agent, all while wearing lots of cool rings! Solid season for G Flip.
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Seeing Chelsea realize that no one actually cares about traditional family structures, and that bypassing them isn’t a compelling enough reason to hate Bre, is truly one of the most satisfying revelations of the season. Even though she seems determined to squash all her beef this season, Chelsea’s Capricorn energy and nut allergy continue to land her in it. By her own admission, this is the only reason she continues to invite Cassandra over. Chelsea is clearly middle of the pack this season: no forces of good or evil are particularly effective against her, and she has little power over her fellow agents. Even the Twins’ decision to give him the coveted $10 million Mulholland listing over Bre ends up being mostly inconsequential in the end.
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Romain is doing exactly what he’s supposed to do this season: supporting Mary and building things. We love a man who knows his place!
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With Heather’s departure mid-season, someone had to take on the role of Designated Shit-Stirrer, and luckily, Amanza was ready to take on the task. Cleverly, Amanza took on the role of Group O’s “peacemaker”, which effectively allowed her to insert herself into a drama that had absolutely nothing to do with her. Amanza, the plot thanks you for your service. Honorable mention goes to Amanza’s stylist assistant in the wardrobe department, who made the season as visually stimulating as Amanza kept it drama-filled.
California’s new real estate tax (which is exactly what it sounds like) took effect in April 2023. With most of Season 7 filming in early 2023, agents are scrambling to close as many sales as possible before the tax is applied, making the tax apparently a villain of the season. Despite Nicole’s claims that the tax is “detrimental” to the housing market, the tax is objectively good, with spending primarily directed toward affordable housing. But Group O operates in La La Land, not Los Angeles, so as disappointing as it is, agents’ desperation over the tax is no surprise.
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Bre really could have been at the top of this list if she wanted to, but her over-the-top reaction to a completely non-threatening Cassandra revealed a deep insecurity and paranoia that was anything but powerful. But she’s unapologetic in everything she does and there’s an undeniable power there. She also gets points for saying out loud what we all privately think about Chelsea: she’s boring.
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Many questions are raised by the revelation that Emma is wearing pajamas: is it her PJ or does she just have access to it? Is it real estate or empanada-entrepreneurship that supports this lifestyle? Was Emma responsible for the flight manifest that could have suited the entire O group? Maybe some of these questions will be answered at the meeting (probably not), but regardless, inviting just three of your colleagues to the pajamas is a move, and despite the environmental implications, we need to recognize the power of it.
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Mary goes through quite a bit this season, with pregnancy loss being the main one of her difficulties. It’s a difficult tale to watch, especially juxtaposed with the mundane drama that plagues the rest of the cast. But Mary is a fighter and does not lose hope of having a baby with Romain. The devil himself has appeared, so if there is any justice in the world, then Mary and Romain, stupid and wholesome, will be possible full-fledged parents.
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Chrishell is undoubtedly the main character of the series, which makes her a threat to second and third tier cast members who are not her allies. When they come to pick her up, they’re unlucky enough to discover that she’s firmly in her no-shit era. As the old saying goes, no weapon formed against Chrishell will prosper. Plus, she marries G Flip in a low-key ceremony in Vegas that even her colleagues aren’t invited to. That’s a powerful move, baby! Happily married and having added Marie-Lou and Nicole to her impressive list of taken names, Chrishell rightly seems on top of it all this season.
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Emma has been on a steady, undeniable trajectory of growth since her debut in season four: skillfully avoiding being the center of drama, paying for empanadas, facing death, and being the closest human version of Barbie on a planet where Margot Robbie lives and breathes. This season, everything comes together for Emma. She debunks allegations of social climbing with grace, and her pajama-clad moves make her a true power player, unafraid to draw lines in the sand. Plus, his friendship with Chrishell seems stronger than ever. What gives Emma the ultimate advantage over Chrishell is that she lets me sleep easy at night knowing that she will never date an Oppenheim. Emma Hernan supremacy!