Emma Hernan almost stopped selling sunset ahead of season 9

After on-screen insinuations that she was involved in an affair with a married man, Emma Hernan almost gave up Selling Sunset as a whole.

“100 percent (almost completely gone). Until the last second, I was deciding whether to do it or not, because I felt that what happened was so unfair,” Emma (33) said exclusively Us Weekly while promoting Mel’s Diner at Sunset now serving its vegan cheeseburger empanadas. “At the end of the day, I came on the show to inspire women and what they showed was the opposite of what I did and the opposite of what I stand for.”

“The reason I joined the show is to show young girls that you can’t come from a lot. You can create your own story and your own dream, so when they took that away from me, I felt like I was something I wasn’t and I waited until the last second,” she continued. “And the reason I ended up doing it was because I wanted to get my truth out there.” I wanted people to see how hurt I was, because it hurt me terribly.”

The real estate agent eventually decided he wanted to use season 9 as a way to share his side“Just speaking my truth was really important to me and my family,” she told Us . “I’m so close to my family and it was a decision they played in as well.”

Emma joined in Selling Sunset and the Oppenheim Group in Season 4. She quickly formed strong friendships with Chrisshell Stause and Chelsea Lazkani — but she also made some enemies. Emma’s biggest fight was with Nicole Young, who accused Emma sleeping with a married man in multiple scenes during season 8.

“I didn’t get a vote last season.” I had no idea what was being filmed behind my back. I filmed the whole season just trying to be there for one of my best friends (Chelsea) who is going through one of the hardest times of her life and that was taken away by what happened when the show came out and I was blindsided,” Emma said U.S about finding out what Nicole said days before the episodes aired earlier this year. “You saw me in a light that was false and unfair.” I’m very passionate about it (because of) how much it hurt. I really can’t say how painful it was and how shocked and how hurt and how blindsided I was by everything.”

Emma was grateful that Chelsea, 31, and Chrishel, 43 he publicly defended against false information.

“They immediately came to my defense when we all found out about this,” she said. “And I’m so grateful to them because sometimes when you’re hurt and you lose your voice a little bit, it’s really nice to have people who love you and support you and I know that was so important to them and it was so meaningful to me that they stood up for me.” “

While Nicole (38) claimed that Emma knew about the rumors mentioned show, Emma couldn’t agree more, adding: “I had no idea. Chelsea and Krishel had no idea. It was literally a complete blind spot for me and my two best friends because everyone made sure not to let them know because they wanted to tell me, so I had no idea.”

Emma has disputed the claims multiple times since season 8 aired.

“I wish I had at least been aware of what was being said behind my back, because then I could have turned around and crushed it in two seconds because there was no truth in it.” “But it wouldn’t be such a great story,” she said U.S. “It wouldn’t be as juicy.” So of course they didn’t give me that chance because they know it would be broken in two seconds. I wish things could have been handled differently and the people involved could have done things differently.”

Nicole has issued a public apologywhich Emma refuses to accept.

“I will never accept her apology.” I don’t think he’s a good person. “I know she lied,” Emma explained U.S. “I like to surround myself with positive people, and she is not a positive person.” What she did to me and Krishel and what she did to others, I don’t agree with and I never will.”

Although Emma will get a chance to clear the air during Season 9, which is currently filming, it won’t be easy. “When you have to be around someone who has literally hurt you so much and done so much damage, of course it’s hard.” I wouldn’t wish that on my worst enemy. “I wouldn’t wish what she did to me on my worst enemy,” said Emma. “I think she’s so mean.” Honestly, the only thing that makes me want to address it and clear the air is to tell my truth so people can understand, but that’s the only reason I would talk to Nicole.

Emma couldn’t talk too much how the production wentbut she might tease that fans can expect the unexpected.

“We’ve already had probably the craziest (moments) ever recorded.” Selling Sunsetso that has already happened and we are in about two weeks”, she revealed. “I’ve also had some really, really great times with Krishella and Chelsea. The new season is probably going to be the best… It’s definitely going to be a lot of fun — that’s for sure.”

As for Emma standing with No, you knew – who is at odds with some of the cast over how she talked about Chelsea’s divorce on the show – when season 9 returns? It sounds like the partners haven’t made any progress.

“I see how people treat other people and I favor good people, and there are things that happen behind closed doors that I don’t agree with,” she explained. “I don’t agree with a lot of things that happened and there is no bad blood.” I actually wish the best for Bre, her family and everyone. Sometimes – especially as a woman – you have to stand up for what’s right, and there were some things that weren’t right, and I have to stand up for what’s right and I sleep well at night knowing that I did.

Off camera, Emma stays positive and celebrates her vegan cheeseburger empanadas that are officially served at Mel’s Diner.

“I’ve been asked to put my empanadas in a lot of different restaurants before.” I wanted my first restaurant partnership to be something that was iconic and didn’t get any more iconic than Mel’s on the Sunset Strip,” she shared with us. “Mel’s is also really special to me and my family because we live very close and it’s my dad’s favorite restaurant. So every time he comes to LA, Mel’s is where we go and my dad gets a vanilla milkshake to start his morning and it’s his favorite thing. I thought what better partnership than to have my empanadas at my father’s favorite restaurant.”

She continued: “They will be on the menu indefinitely and we’ve launched with the Sunset location and then we’ll continue to roll out to all the other locations. They add it to the menu in a super cute way. We have this whole design. It’s going to be around forever, and the only other two people on the menu are Arnold Schwarzenegger and Lana Del Rey, so I’m in great company!”

Selling Sunset currently streaming on Netflix.

With reporting by Lana Brody