Paige DeSorbo has become one of Bravo’s biggest breakout stars, but according to former “Summer House” cast member Stephen McGee, her reality TV journey almost never happened.
During a recent appearance at the show’s reunion watch party, McGee claimed he unknowingly changed the casting process behind Season 3 after exposing two women who were originally expected to join the series.
His revelation comes months after DeSorbo officially exited the hit Bravo show following years as one of its most recognizable faces.
Stephen McGee is taking credit for helping bring Paige DeSorbo into the Bravo universe. The former “Summer House” star made the surprising claim while speaking to Page Six’s “Virtual Reali-tea” during Tuesday’s reunion watch party.
“I love Paige DeSorbo,” McGee said before revealing he first met her years ago while dining in Capri, Italy.
“Actually, the very first time I ever met Paige, we were in Capri, Italy, and we were sat next to each other at a restaurant randomly,” he shared.
However, McGee insisted their chance meeting was not the only connection between them. According to the reality star, events he set in motion ultimately opened the door for DeSorbo to land her role on the Bravo series.
“But, she does not — I don’t think — really even know this: I’m the reason that the world has a Paige DeSorbo,” he claimed.
McGee appeared on “Summer House” during its first two seasons before leaving the show ahead of Season 3.
DeSorbo Joined ‘Summer House’ After Casting Shakeup
Stephen McGee went on to explain that Bravo originally planned to cast two completely different women for Season 3 before their involvement suddenly fell apart.
According to him, another reality television personality tipped him off about the incoming cast additions.
“Another Bravo star that works in real estate, who was on ‘Million Dollar Listing,’ told me that these girls were coming in for Season 3 from their office,” the 36-year-old explained.
After hearing about the rumored casting, McGee said he began looking into their backgrounds himself.
“So, I had done a little background digging, and found that they had done some pro-Donald Trump stuff and I leaked that to Girl With No Job, on her Facebook group,” he alleged.
The fallout allegedly led to major behind-the-scenes changes before cameras even started rolling. “They dropped out before filming started,” McGee added. “Then, they added in Paige DeSorbo.”
Paige DeSorbo officially joined “Summer House” during Season 3 alongside Hannah Berner, who later became her co-host on the wildly successful “Giggly Squad” podcast.
Paige DeSorbo Quickly Became One Of Bravo’s Biggest Stars
While Berner exited “Summer House” after two seasons following multiple conflicts with cast members, DeSorbo’s popularity only continued to grow.
The fashion influencer quickly became one of the show’s most talked-about personalities and remained a central figure for years.
In June 2025, however, DeSorbo shocked fans when she announced she was leaving the series.
“Being part of this show has been one of the most rewarding chapters of my life – the friendships, the drama, the giggles. all unforgettable,” she wrote in an emotional Instagram Story statement per Page Six.
“I never could’ve imagined what this journey would turn into — and how many of you would be along for the ride.”
The 33-year-old also assured followers that her departure would not mean a complete disappearance from public life.
“And you haven’t seen the last of me, I promise. So much more to do together, but for now you know you can always find me and Daphne in my bed,” she continued. The reality star’s reference to her beloved cat quickly became a fan-favorite detail online.
DeSorbo Later Opened Up About Leaving Reality TV Behind
Months after leaving “Summer House,” Paige DeSorbo spoke more candidly about why she felt it was finally time to move on from the Bravo franchise.
During a September 2025 interview with Byrdie, alongside Berner, the podcast host admitted she no longer felt capable of fully participating in the series as producers expected.
“I know I would’ve been doing a disservice to [the show],” DeSorbo explained, adding, “They expect a certain level of showing up, and I couldn’t give them that.”
She also reflected on the emotional impact that reality television can have over time, admitting the experience can blur the line between entertainment and real life.
“Being on reality TV, there’s a level — this is a harsh word — of, like, brainwashing,” she confessed. “That’s not real life.”
DeSorbo then joked about how reality TV can make ordinary thoughts seem dramatically amplified. “You’re not stopping people on the street and being like, ‘I just had a thought that I hate my boyfriend,’” she added.
Paige DeSorbo Says Chronic Health Issue Has Affected Her Dating Life
Away from her reality TV career, DeSorbo has been fighting a recurring health battle. As The Blast reported in February, the TV personality revealed that she suffers from chronic urinary tract infections that have repeatedly disrupted her life.
During an appearance on the “Broad Ideas” podcast, DeSorbo described the issue as “debilitating” and admitted the infections became so frequent that they even affected her dating life.
DeSorbo explained that if she ever slept with someone and developed a UTI afterward, she would immediately decide “we’re not compatible.”
She revealed that she typically experienced a painful flare-up “every four months” and had spent years trying different remedies to reduce the problem.
At the time of the interview, DeSorbo said she had started a new regimen involving cranberry supplements and oregano supplements twice daily and noted that, for the first time in a while, she had gone longer than expected without getting another infection.
She also joked that she did not want to “jinx it” by speaking publicly about the improvement. The Bravo personality added that chronic UTIs were exhausting and insisted “UTIs need a cure,” while podcast cohost Olivia Allen sympathized by sharing her own similar experiences.
