“Summer House” fans finally got the answer they’ve been speculating about for weeks.
Dara Levitan confirmed that she and KJ Dillard have officially ended their relationship, addressing the split for the first time on her podcast, “Five More Minutes.”
While Dara didn’t dive into details about what led to the breakup, she made it clear that discussing it remains emotional.
Dara Levitan Confirms Split From KJ Dillard
During a recent episode of her podcast, Dara addressed the status of her relationship head-on.
“I’m single,” she said.
However, she quickly made it clear that she wasn’t ready to unpack everything publicly.
“That’s all we’re going to say about it, because I can’t do tears this morning and there’s no way I’m talking about it without crying,” she added.
The confirmation comes after weeks of speculation from “Summer House” viewers who noticed signs that the couple may no longer be together.
As she reflected on her experience on the show and the public reaction that followed, Dara admitted some of the criticism she received surprised her.
“I remember talking to my therapist about my greatest fears,” she shared. “They were once criticizing the way I looked and to… calling me boring or whatever, which… both were things that I could live with.”
What caught her off guard was seeing people question qualities she considered some of her strengths.
“I never expected so many of the qualities that I do feel good about myself sometimes to be the things that people questioned,” she explained.
Dara Opens Up About Fame, Authenticity and Life After ‘Summer House’
Dara also addressed criticism that her personality can come across as performative.
“I know that I speak in a way that it might seem performative, also because I am a performer. I’m a theater kid through and through,” she said.
She noted that feedback shifted after the reunion aired and that many viewers seemed to better understand her perspective.
“I just feel like I grew up in a position where I struggled to feel like I was seen by other people, and I wanted to feel comfortable in these spaces,” she said.
Dara acknowledged that she can sometimes be self-deprecating or overshare, but pushed back on suggestions that she is calculated.
“I’ve never considered myself someone that’s… calculated and a lot about my authenticity,” she said.
She also reflected on the challenges of having a relationship play out publicly.
“Everyone who goes on television wants to be famous in some way or another,” she said. “But I think as it was attached to a man was also so hard.”
Dara added that many of the positive changes in her life have followed difficult breakups.
“Every new positive chapter” in her life, she said, has come from a “life-altering, world-shattering breakup.”
KJ Dillard Previously Revealed the Couple Had Briefly Split
Before the breakup became permanent, KJ had already discussed a temporary split during a June appearance on Carl Radke’s podcast, “More Life With Carl Radke.”
At the time, KJ explained that financial stress and personal struggles created tension in the relationship after filming wrapped.
“Financially, I was in a terrible place,” he said. “Me and Dara were struggling because I was taking out what I was going through out on her. I wasn’t even aware of it.”
Despite the challenges, KJ previously described their relationship as strong enough to withstand outside criticism.
“It was gnarly. It’s, honestly, some love story (expletive) that we’re not gonna let outside influence affect that,” he said at the time.
KJ Dillard Has Been Open About His Mental Health Journey
The breakup news comes just weeks after KJ opened up about his mental health during the “Summer House” season 10 reunion.
During the emotional episode, he revealed that he had been hospitalized following self-harm and was later diagnosed with borderline personality disorder.
“I actually had to go to the hospital for self-harm,” he told host Andy Cohen.
KJ said castmates Mia Calabrese and Ciara Miller supported him throughout his recovery and that he spent months focusing on improving his mental health.
“I got to focus on myself. I needed that,” he said.
He also expressed gratitude for the support he received from friends and viewers.
“I’m grateful that I’m here alive because I could have not been,” KJ said. “I’m thankful for the support of my friends.”
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