Even if fans didn’t always know it, Leva Bonaparte has been making guest appearances on Southern Charm since its inception back in 2014. Her first big connection to the group of Charmers was when she became roommates with Cameran Eubanks all those years ago. But the mother of one officially was made a full-time cast member for Season 7. After five years of fun, however, Leva decided to hang up her title and move on to bigger and better ventures.
Leva Bonaparte wasn’t a main character on Southern Charm
Now, let me make it very clear. As a longtime viewer of Southern Charm, I enjoyed watching Leva. And while she never had a real spotlight storyline, she still added to the series. After watching years of Bravo reality TV, it has become apparent that not everyone can be the main character of a series. Look at Scheana Shay in the early years of Vanderpump Rules for the perfect example of this. Leva’s placement was no different. She often helped to guide narratives about her fellow castmates but never stole the show.
Some viewers felt that she had strong know-it-all vibes, but I appreciated her down-to-earth mentality. She rarely found herself involved in the drama. But always had good advice for the fellow ladies of the series. Just this season alone has shown her as an intricate part when she took the time to talk to JT Thomas. Even though most of the other cast members wrote him off, she heard him out. So again, while she might not have always been the most interesting character, she sure knew how to keep a storyline moving for others.
Leva Bonaparte helped change the narrative of Southern Charm before leaving
During her casting in Season 7, Bravo knew they had to add a bit of diversity to Southern Charm. As a casting choice, Leva was polarizing. As we know, not all viewers like change or a shape up to their comfort zone. But to keep a beloved show great, sometimes changes have to be made. Leva was Southern Charm’s first cast member of color. In her premiere season, she openly supported the effort to remove the monument of Vice President John C. Calhoun, an ancestor of castmate Kathryn Dennis. As viewers learned, the former VP was pro-slavery and, as a senator, declared in the 1830s that slavery was not an “evil,” but rather a “positive good,” according to a Clemson University biography.
In the moving episode, Leva noted, “I think the statue coming down could really be a moment of healing for our community. It could be a really powerful first step in this particular city.” She also stood up to the men of Southern Charm when they “coddled” Kathryn after she was accused of racism for using a monkey emoji toward a Black radio host. Leva told Austen Kroll, “The fact that you are coddling her right now, and yelling at me and calling me a bully, either you don’t know what happened, you’re uninformed — I don’t know people who do that. I won’t stand for it.”
Leva Bonaparte can concentrate on Southern Hospitality
Even though Leva is leaving Southern Charm, it doesn’t mean we won’t be seeing her around the Bravosphere. She told fans via an Instagram post, “I 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! I am in a place now in my life where I want to have time to focus on Boys and my Joys.” The restaurateur went on to add, “And need some time for a life reset on what is aligned for me! I don’t have a very salacious personal life to share. But I do have a lot going on. And frankly, I’m working on some pretty cool stuff that I hope to share more of soon!”
Leva will still be seen on Southern Hospitality. Thanks to the third season’s massive success, fans can only hope a Season 4 is in store. Now, Leva can concentrate on keeping her workers at Republic in line. As the executive producer, she has more creative credit and say in the popular spin-off. So it makes perfect sense that Leva would want to step back from Southern Charm. Honestly, it was the perfect timing for her to bow out.
Southern Charm is available to stream on Peacock.
TELL US – WILL YOU MISS LEVA ON SOUTHERN CHARM?
