Selling Sunset just dropped its bombshell season 8 on Netflix. And while most fans are talking about Chelsea Lazkani’s divorce drama and the very demure and very mindful newcomer, Alanna Gold, it’s about time we discussed Mary Fitzgerald’s husband, Romain Bonnet, who’s had himself caught in some of the ladies’ drama — mostly to defend his wife.
In season 1, Romain was portrayed as Mary’s “boy toy” — an issue that sparked a feud between Chrishell Stause and the show’s former villain, Christine Quinn. In an old interview, Romain said his image was “edited” in the series. Here’s a closer look at his unplanned journey into Selling Sunset.
Romain Bonnet Felt “Betrayed” By His Boy Toy Image On Selling Sunset
Selling Sunset‘s Romain Is 12 Years Younger Than His Wife Mary Fitzgerald
Romain admitted it was “scary” watching himself on Selling Sunset for the first time because he didn’t know how he’d be depicted in it. “For everyone [it] was like a little bit scary in some way because you have no idea how that’s gonna be edited and what’s gonna be the result of it,” he told Behind the Velvet Rope podcast in 2022. “So, basically you just go with the flow.” However, he didn’t see the boy toy narrative coming.
When asked about it, Romain said: “I think at first, I was more betrayed, also in a way that people saw the [boy toy] image… I [didn’t] know if I was a fan favorite at first.”
While some people believe Romain shouldn’t have been oblivious to his portrayal, it’s clear that he just doesn’t see his age gap with Mary as a big deal. He was 25 when season 1 was filmed — a big concern for Chrishell who said nobody knows what they want at that age. Romain is now 31, while Mary — who has a 23-year-old son — is 44.
After their wedding was featured in season 2, Mary set the record straight on Romain’s boy toy reputation. “We have a real relationship, we got married. He’s not just a boy toy!” she said, adding that she “doesn’t pay for anything” because Romain is “so stubborn. He would never let me pay for anything.” And he’s of legal age, everyone! Mary is definitely not like her ex, Jason Oppenheim who has a pattern of 20-something girlfriends and briefly dating women who work in his company…
Mary and Romain are planning another round of IVF after the realtor had a septic miscarriage in March 2023.
Romain Was Cast On Selling Sunset Due To His “Funny” Relationship With Mary
Romain Didn’t Know He’d Appear On Selling Sunset Regularly
Romain wasn’t fully aware of his exposure on Selling Sunset. He didn’t even know if he’d be in it at all. But a Netflix producer found his relationship with Mary “interesting” so they made sure to include him. “I can’t remember how it happened exactly,” he said on Behind the Velvet Rope. “… At first i wasn’t even supposed to be part of it.”
He added: “They saw that it was funny… Interesting seeing a European guy with Mary, that’s successful at the brokerage.”
He then appeared on the show more after producers found out they were getting married. Romain, who didn’t think fans liked him, felt that they started rooting him for after seeing his wedding in season 2. He believes that fans appreciated him “standing for my value and my point, and for my wife.” True enough, he’s proven to be a loyal and supportive husband to Mary, especially during her miscarriage.
Here’s a timeline of their relationship:
2017 | Romain first met Mary who was his real estate agent when he first relocated to Los Angeles after his model agent suggested the move |
2018 | The two had a secret wedding at a courthouse while planning their grand wedding ceremony |
March 2019 | Their relationship became a hot topic when Selling Sunset premiered |
Oct. 2019 | They had their wedding ceremony, which was featured on the show |
May 2020 | Romain stood up to Davina Potratz whom he didn’t invite to his wedding after she mocked his Moissanite engagement ring (he’s since replaced it with a diamond ring) |
Jan. 2021 | Romain and Mary two moved into a new house together |
Dec. 2022 | Mary said “practice makes perfect” when it comes to their fertility journey |
Jan. 2023 | The couple had their honeymoon in Bali, which was initially postponed due to Covid-19 |
March 2023 | Mary announced that she had a septic miscarriage, for which she had to get surgery |
Nov. 2023 | Mary’s miscarriage was documented in season 7, including the moment she took the pregnancy test |
April 2024 | Mary said she and Romain are still planning to try another round of IVF |
Romain Now Works In Construction Alongside The Selling Sunset Cast
Romain Also Works For The Oppenheim Group
In case you missed it, Romain also worked as a pastry chef before joining Selling Sunset. He still models when he can nowadays. But he’s mostly busy with his construction work. He is a project manager for many of the Oppenheim Group’s listings. He was also the contractor for the recent lavish expansion of the office A.K.A Jason’s play space, under the interior studio White Glove Estates.
Speaking about her husband’s job,
Mary told
Women’s Health: “He does construction. He’s [also] a project manager for a bunch of our listings, a lot of people don’t know that. So he’s been working on all of our projects”
Mary also raved about Romain’s passion for construction, saying he’s “an incredibly hard worker” who’s recently been “slammed with jobs”. You can see the couple’s collaborations in season 7, including their own home renovations, which they previously posted on Instagram.
Romain is also available on Cameo, where he charges $250+ for personal greetings. As Mary previously said about the sugar baby claims against Romain, “this man works all the time. He’s not just sitting back, spending my money. He has his own money, and he works very hard for it.”
Mary and Romain’s combined net worth reportedly ranges from $2 million to $7 million.