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After more than 10 years, Leva Bonaparte announced she’s leaving Southern Charm — but she’ll remain on Southern Hospitality.
“Hi guys! Wanted to let you know that although this year was so fun — I’ll be stepping away from Southern Charm this year on great terms!” Bonaparte, 45, wrote via an Instagram statement on Wednesday, March 26. “I am in a place now in my life where I want to have time to focus on Boys and my Joys. And need some time for a life reset on what is aligned for me!”
In addition to being a reality star, Leva is a wife and a mother, sharing son Lamar Jr. a.k.a. “Little” with her husband, Lamar Bonaparte. The couple own and run multiple restaurants in Charleston, which Leva said was part of the driving force to her Southern Charm exit.
“I don’t have a very salacious personal life to share but I do have a lot going on,” she quipped. “And frankly I’m working on some pretty cool stuff that I hope to share more of soon!”
Leva explained, “I love my friends on Charm [and] wish them the best and I’ll show up when they need me — maybe you’ll see me at a party or two throughout their new season!”
The Bravo star confirmed, “Where you will see me is on Southern Hospitality in full force where I can focus my energy on the business and the show that has really found its footing this year thanks to the fans, the bravo bloggers and the GOAT network @nbc @bravotv!”
Leva insisted, “So this isn’t TV goodbye! Just maybe a you’ll see me a little less! 
love yall!”
Leva has been part of Southern Charm since its premiere in 2014. She started off her reality show journey as a “friend” of the main cast and was upgraded to full-time cast member during season 7 in 2020.
During season 10, which premiered in December 2024 and ended earlier this month, Leva wasn’t a main fixture. She did appear in several scenes with pal Venita Aspen as Venita, 31, tried to navigate her friendship and budding romance with costar Jarrett “JT” Thomas. (Venita and JT briefly dated after the cameras stopped rolling, but she was called a “homewrecker” when it came out that he had a girlfriend.)
While Leva’s time on Southern Charm was downsized this season, she has kept herself busy running her restaurants — especially Republic Garden & Lounge, which is the central location for the Bravo spinoff Southern Hospitality.
Southern Hospitality premiered in 2022 and follows Leva’s employees at Republic, including their wild times both at work and off the clock. She was featured on camera in half of the season 3 episodes, which concluded in March.
Leva and Lamar are both executive producers of the spinoff.
Fans will get to see Leva with her Southern Charm castmates two more times before her official farewell on the two-part season 10 reunion.
Part 1 of the reunion airs on Bravo Thursday, March 27, at 8 p.m. ET. Part 2 will air the following week on Thursday, April 3.
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