The real reason the Wirkus Twins left Summer House exposed

Lauren and Ashley Wirkus -- and Stephen McGee -- were axed from the Summer House cast following Season 2
Ashley Wirkus and Lauren Wirkus
Ashley Wirkus and Lauren Wirkus / David Livingston/GettyImages
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In the vibrant world of reality TV, few shows match the allure of Bravo's Summer House. Originally premiering in 2017, the series captures the lives of affluent young professionals during their sun-drenched summers in the Hamptons. 

Yet, as the seasons unfolded, the cast saw significant changes, notably the departure of Lauren and Ashley Wirkus and Stephen McGee after the second season. The twins' exit in June 2018 came as a surprise to many fans, but nobody knew the real reason behind their sudden departure.

Lauren and Ashley, fondly known as the Wirkus twins, were a staple in the show's first two seasons, bringing drama and excitement to the series. In a public statement, they expressed their departure from Summer House with heartfelt sentiments.

The pair acknowledged their gratitude towards Bravo and the show's crew for the memorable experiences crafted over two summers. They also hinted at future endeavors, suggesting that their journey in the spotlight was far from over. 

Despite their departure, the twins emphasized, "the Wirkus Circus is not done," promising fans that more thrilling projects were on the horizon.

However, behind the scenes, a more troubling reason for their exit emerged.

Unveiling the true reason the Wirkus Twins left Summer House

Sources from Bravo and Cocktails revealed that the twins, along with Stephen, were caught on a damaging video using racial slurs. Their behavior was serious enough to sever their ties with the show permanently.

The reaction from the Summer House community reflects a mixture of disappointment and relief. One viewer commented: "I remember this being the reason, too. But the video was buried. But I think Stephen never reappearing despite being around speaks to this being true…" 

This sentiment was echoed by others who recalled the twins' controversial behavior both on and off-screen. 

"Honestly, those firings gave us Hannah and Paige in season 3 and that was the best thing to happen to summer house IMO," another chimed in.

Recollections of their past antics added more layers to the story. "God they were atrocious trolling Wall St. bars every night hoping to land a sugar daddy. Circa 2010/11ish. They were the laughing stock of the credit Suisse trading floor," another person commented. 

Another viewer shared an anecdote from a Super Bowl party in 2012 that illustrated their provocative behavior.

"I’m pretty sure I’ve told you this but they were spraying champagne over everyone at a Super Bowl party in 2012 and finally the guys had enough and doused them all with pitchers of ice water. Lol. They left in a huff,” the fan wrote.

These insights from various sources paint a vivid picture of why the Wirkus twins' chapter on Summer House closed so abruptly. Behind the sun, surf, and sand, the reality of reality TV can often be a complex weave of personal actions and public reactions, proving that what happens off-camera can sometimes overshadow what’s filmed.

Summer House if currently filming Season 9, which will likely premiere in early 2025 on Bravo.