Yolanda Hadid Leaving ‘The Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills’ Over Demotion From Full-Time Cast Member

Yolanda Hadid is no longer a part of the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.

Bravo released a statement to E! Online confirming Hadid’s exit from the reality show. The network cited Hadid’s health as the main reason for her departure.

“Yolanda was a great addition to the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. Along with our viewers, we have enjoyed and appreciated Yolanda sharing her life events, especially more recently as she struggled with Lyme disease,” the statement read. “We now respect her decision to focus on her health and family. We wish her a full recovery and hope to see her again sometime on the show.”

Prior to the official confirmation, Reality Tea revealed that Hadid announced her exit on Instagram.

In a lengthy statement, Hadid expressed her disappointment in having to leave the series because of unfortunate circumstances.

“I would have loved a more graceful exit than ‘Season 6’ but sometimes we don’t get to control the endings of the chapters in our life… I am leaving what’s over without denying its past importance in my life.”

Hadid has been a part of RHOBH since the third season. While she generally got along well with her co-stars, her fight with Lyme disease created tension with Lisa Vanderpump and Lisa Rinna, both of whom thought Hadid suffered from Munchausen’s syndrome.

Although Hadid is unhappy with how things turned out this season, she admitted that leaving the series will help her recover without having to worry about privacy issues.

“I believe that every exit is a new entry and with that in mind I say goodbye to my@Bravotv Family as I continue to focus on my recovery and bring back the privacy within our home,” she shared.

In addition to her health struggles, Yolanda Hadid went through a heartbreaking divorce with husband David Foster at the start of this season.

While these two factors appear to be the main reasons why Hadid decided to leave RHOBH, there are hints that producers forced her hand.

According to Daily Mail, it is possible that Hadid left the show after producers downgraded her to friend status.

Apparently, Hadid did not want to be a part of the show if she wasn’t brought back as a full-time cast member.

Despite the ill feelings, Hadid closed with thanks and appreciation for both fans and producers.

“Thank you to all the fans for your love and unwavering support these past 4 years. I am grateful for the housewife experience and all it has thought me. I am excited about this choice and look forward to the next chapter of my life……………… #RHOBH#TimeToSayGoodbye with #Gratitude@evolutionusa @bravoandy @bravotv#WWHL.”

Of course, just because Hadid is no longer a full-time cast member doesn’t mean fans have seen the last of her. In fact, many former Housewives have made periodic cameos in seasons past, including Taylor Armstrong, Camille Grammer, Kim Richards, Brandi Glanville, and Adrienne Maloof.

With that in mind, fans can expect Hadid to make an appearance at some point in the near future.

In the meantime, People is reporting that Hadid is getting ready to release a memoir about her fight with Lyme disease. Believe Me: My Battle with the Invisible Disability of Lyme Disease will release in February of 2017.

Meanwhile, the fate of the other women on the show remains in question. So far, the network has only announced that Kathryn Edwards and Hadid would not return for Season 7, leaving fans wondering who might be next on the chopping block.

Apart from Hadid and Edwards, Season 6 of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills included Vanderpump, Rinna, Eileen Davidson, Kyle Richards, and Erika Girardi.

Tell us! Are you surprised that Yolanda Hadid will not return to RHOBH? Let us know in the comments below.

[Image via Bravo]