The Seltzer War And Co-Star Backlash: 5 Shocking Reasons Why Hannah Berner Was Fired From Summer House

The question of why Hannah Berner left Summer House has been a hot topic among Bravo fans since her dramatic exit after Season 5. For years, the official narrative was that the comedian chose to depart to focus on her burgeoning stand-up and podcast career. However, as of late 2024 and recent podcast appearances, Hannah herself has peeled back the curtain, revealing a much more controversial and multi-layered story: she was, in fact, "ousted" and essentially fired due to a perfect storm of cast feuds, viewer backlash, and a now-infamous product endorsement.

This article, updated with the latest claims from December 2025, dives deep into the complex reasons behind Hannah Berner's departure, detailing the intense backlash she faced during her final season and the specific incidents that led to her contract not being renewed. The reality star's time in the Hamptons ended not with a simple career change, but with a dramatic confrontation and a major fallout with her co-stars, particularly the show's patriarch, Kyle Cooke. The truth is far more dramatic than a simple desire to pursue comedy.

Comedian and Reality Star: Hannah Berner's Profile and Summer House Timeline

Hannah Berner quickly became one of the most polarizing figures in Summer House history. Her journey from new cast member to "resident villain" was swift and chaotic. Here is a brief look at her biography and her time on the Bravo series.

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• Full Name: Hannah Berner
• Born: Brooklyn, New York
• Career: Stand-up Comedian, Podcaster, Former Reality Television Personality
• Podcasts: Co-host of Giggly Squad (with Paige DeSorbo) and host of Berning in Hell.
• Summer House Seasons: Main Cast Member for three seasons (Season 3, Season 4, and Season 5).
• Summer House Exit: Departed/Fired after Season 5, which aired in 2021.
• Personal Life: Married to fellow comedian Des Bishop.

Hannah joined the show in Season 3 and quickly formed a tight bond with Paige DeSorbo and Ciara Miller. Her early seasons were marked by a tumultuous relationship with co-star Luke Gulbranson. However, it was Season 5, filmed during the COVID-19 pandemic, that proved to be her undoing, showcasing a shift in her attitude and a series of conflicts that led to her eventual firing.

The Five Core Reasons Hannah Was Ousted After Season 5

While the official statement suggested a mutual parting of ways, Hannah Berner has since confirmed that her exit was not voluntary. The true reasons are a combination of on-screen behavior, off-screen controversy, and a major rift with the show's central couple, Kyle Cooke and Amanda Batula.

1. The Infamous 'Seltzer Disloyalty' Feud with Kyle Cooke

According to Hannah's most recent claims in July 2024, the "final nail in the coffin" was a business-related feud with Kyle Cooke, the co-founder of the popular hard seltzer brand, Loverboy.

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• The Conflict: Kyle Cooke and Amanda Batula are heavily invested in promoting Loverboy, a key element of the Summer House brand.
• Hannah's "Crime": Hannah did an advertisement for a rival seltzer company.
• The Claimed Result: Hannah alleges that this act of "seltzer disloyalty" was the catalyst that led to Kyle pushing for her removal from the cast. Kyle has publicly responded to these claims, denying that he got her fired over an ad.

This incident highlights the blurred lines between personal relationships and business interests on a reality show, suggesting that crossing a co-star's brand could lead to being ousted from the show entirely.

2. Overwhelming Viewer and Cast Backlash for Season 5 Behavior

Season 5 of Summer House saw a dramatic shift in how Hannah was perceived by both her co-stars and the audience. She was widely criticized for her attitude, her treatment of others, and her perceived lack of respect for the house dynamic.

• The "Resident Villain" Arc: Hannah's behavior, particularly her constant arguments and perceived negativity, earned her the title of "resident villain."
• The Reunion Confrontation: The Season 5 reunion was a brutal experience for Hannah, where she faced intense scrutiny from the entire cast. The co-stars made it clear that they no longer wanted to film with her.

The collective sentiment from the cast, coupled with a massive wave of negative viewer feedback, likely gave Bravo the justification needed to make a casting change. The general consensus was that her presence was no longer "fun," which is the core mantra of the show.

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3. Inappropriate Comments About Luke Gulbranson’s Mental Health

One of the most controversial incidents involved Hannah's off-screen comments about her co-star Luke Gulbranson. The two had a complicated on-again, off-again relationship that fueled much of the Season 4 and 5 drama.

• The Off-Screen Incident: In 2020, Hannah made inappropriate comments about Luke's mental health during an appearance on a podcast.
• The Fallout: These comments were widely condemned as insensitive and unprofessional. This type of off-camera behavior that directly impacts a co-star and draws negative press can often influence a network's decision regarding contract renewals.

4. The Cast Ultimatum and Ousting

The most compelling reason for her firing, as stated by Hannah herself, is that she was "ousted by her cast mates." This suggests that the collective group made it clear to the production company, Truly Original, and the network, Bravo, that they would not continue filming with her.

• The Unity of the Cast: The strong, unified front against Hannah during the Season 5 reunion demonstrated a clear lack of desire to continue the "friend" dynamic with her.
• Production Decision: In the world of reality TV, if the core cast members—especially the long-standing ones like Kyle and Lindsay Hubbard—refuse to film with someone, the network will almost always choose to keep the established stars and let the newer, controversial figure go.

This dynamic confirms that her departure was less about her choosing her comedy career and more about her contract simply not being renewed due to her inability to coexist with the rest of the house.

5. The Desire to Focus on Her Thriving Comedy Career

While the other reasons point to a firing, Hannah's successful career trajectory after leaving the show does lend some credence to the initial, softer explanation.

• Post-Show Success: Hannah’s comedy career and her podcast, Giggly Squad, have exploded in popularity since her departure.
• The Rebrand: Leaving the high-drama environment of Summer House allowed her to rebrand herself as a successful comedian and podcaster, shifting the narrative away from the reality TV villain.

It is likely that her desire to pursue comedy was a factor, but the cast's rejection and the controversy were the primary drivers that forced the issue, allowing her to frame her firing as a voluntary exit for the sake of her career.

Life After Summer House: Hannah's Successful Rebrand

Despite the chaotic and controversial nature of her departure, Hannah Berner has arguably had one of the most successful post-reality TV careers of any Summer House cast member. She has leveraged her notoriety into a massive platform.

• Giggly Squad: Her podcast with Paige DeSorbo, Giggly Squad, regularly sells out live shows across the country.
• Stand-Up Tours: Hannah is a successful touring stand-up comedian, performing at major venues and comedy festivals.
• Marriage: She married comedian Des Bishop, a relationship that began while she was still on the show.

Ultimately, while the question of "why did Hannah get fired from Summer House" is complex, the consensus is that a combination of a cast-wide rejection, immense viewer backlash over her Season 5 behavior, and the dramatic "Seltzer War" with Kyle Cooke all contributed to the network's decision to cut ties. For Hannah, the firing became a blessing in disguise, allowing her to step away from the drama and fully embrace her lucrative career as a comedy powerhouse.