THE SUDDEN DISAPPEARANCE OF BRAVO’S FAVORITE SIDEKICK
Sutton Stracke might be the Queen of awkward encounters on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, but her latest drama is happening off-camera and involves the one man who arguably ran her entire life. Avi Gabay, the fan-favorite assistant-turned-property-manager who stole scenes with his deadpan expressions and masterful handling of Sutton’s eccentricities, has officially left the building. And if you believe the official story that everything is “fine,” we have a bridge in Brooklyn to sell you.
In May , Sutton dropped the bombshell on SiriusXM’s Jeff Lewis Live that she and Avi had parted ways. The announcement was brief, vague, and laced with the kind of PR-friendly language that usually hides a massive blowout. “We’re still friends. I love Avi, he’s like family but he’s no longer working with me,” Sutton insisted. “Everything was working out. It’s just, things evolve and he’s no longer with me.”
But here is where the math doesn’t math. In the same breath, Sutton admitted, “We haven’t really spoken.” How is he “family” if you haven’t spoken? How are you “still friends” if there is zero communication? Insiders are whispering that the split was far more abrupt than Sutton is letting on, leaving the Southern socialite to navigate her massive Bel-Air estate completely solo. The timing, right as production for Season ramps up, suggests that Avi might have had enough of the reality TV circus.
THE “INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR” DEFENSE
When pressed by Jeff Lewis—who knows a thing or two about messy employee firings—Sutton got weirdly technical about Avi’s employment status. She made a point to label him an “independent contractor,” a legal distinction that feels like a defensive maneuver. By categorizing him this way, she distances herself from the narrative of “firing” him, but it also raises questions about what kind of protections or severance he might have walked away with.
“I’m about to just live by myself in my house. So, things have just evolved, and it’s different now,” Sutton claimed. It paints a lonely picture. For years, Avi was her buffer against the chaos of the Housewives world. He was the one managing the “poinsettias upfront,” setting the “garden table scape,” and essentially keeping her life from spiraling. Now, she is on her own, and sources speculate that the stress of the show without her right-hand man is going to push Sutton to the brink this season.
“Avi was the only thing making Sutton relatable! If he’s gone, who is going to check her? This feels like a major mistake on her part. Bring back Avi!”
The phrase “independent contractor” also suggests a transactional relationship that contradicts the “he’s family” narrative. Families don’t usually terminate contracts and then s top speaking. Did Avi ask for a raise? Did he demand more screen time? Or did he simply know too much?
THE GARCELLE BEAUVAIS BETRAYAL
If you want to know where the bodies are buried, follow the friendships. The most explosive twist in the Avi saga is his continued loyalty to Garcelle Beauvais. As die-hard fans know, the friendship between Sutton and Garcelle—once the strongest alliance on the show—has crumbled. Garcelle exited the series in March after five years, leaving a wake of burnt bridges. But guess who she didn’t burn a bridge with? Avi.
In a move that feels like a direct shot at Sutton, Garcelle and Avi were spotted getting cozy at a Lifetime movie screening in October . They posed together, smiling like two people who share a very specific set of secrets. Garcelle has seemingly “won” the breakup by keeping custody of the beloved assistant.
Back in November , while he was still allegedly on Sutton’s payroll, Avi posted a glowing tribute to Garcelle. “Happy Birthday to this amazing, strong and positive woman !!! Cheers my dear,” he wrote. It is rare for an assistant to be so publicly affectionate with their boss’s frenemy unless there is a deeper bond there. Is Avi Team Garcelle? Did his loyalty to Garcelle cause friction with Sutton? In the petty world of , loyalty is currency, and it looks like Avi spent his elsewhere.
WHAT DOES AVI KNOW?
Let’s be real: celebrity assistants hold the keys to the kingdom. They know the passwords, the gate codes, the financial secrets, and the unfiltered opinions their bosses scream into the phone when the cameras are off. Avi wasn’t just grabbing coffee; he was the “Executive Property Manager.” He ran the estate. He knew who was coming and going.
If the split was indeed contentious—despite Sutton’s “love him” spin—there is a very real possibility of an NDA war. While Avi has remained silent (TMZ attempts to reach him have gone unanswered, naturally), his silence speaks volumes. Usually, when an employee leaves on good terms, there is a celebratory post, a goodbye party, a public acknowledgement. Instead? Radio silence.
Avi’s Instagram bio change is another subtle dig. It used to read “Executive Property Manager for Real Housewife of Beverly Hills Sutton Stracke.” Now? It is a generic “Executive Property Manager.” He has scrubbed her name from his professional identity. That is the equivalent of burning photos of your ex.
THE FAN REVOLT: “WE WATCH FOR AVI”
Sutton might be the name on the intro credits, but Avi was the people’s prince. His deadpan reactions to the absurdity of the Housewives’ behavior made him an instant meme. Viewers saw him as the audience surrogate—the sane person trapped in an asylum of couture and screaming matches.
Losing Avi is a massive blow to Sutton’s likability. He softened her edges. He made her seem more grounded. Without him, critics worry that Sutton will come across as isolated and out of touch. We already saw glimpses of this when she tried to navigate the dating scene solo; it was painful. Avi was her wingman, her confidant, and her reality check.
During the infamous “Lisa Rinna Flip-Flop Gate,” it was Avi who saved the day, sprinting to find footwear for the demanding guest. “Gosh this was a very exciting day for me!!” he sarcastically (or earnestly?) posted at the time. He played the game perfectly. Now that he has taken his ball and gone home, the show loses a vital layer of comedy.
THE JOSH FACTOR: INTERNAL STAFF WAR?
Adding another layer of intrigue is the presence of Joshua Roberts, Sutton’s other assistant. While Avi was the face of the operation, Josh was in the background. Were there power struggles inside the Stracke estate? Avi once posted, “Cheers to @suttonstracke & @joshfromlouisiana,” suggesting a happy team, but workplace dynamics shift fast when cameras are involved.
With Avi gone, the pressure falls on Josh—or whoever replaces him—to fill those massive shoes. Managing Sutton Stracke is not a -to- job; it is a lifestyle. It requires patience, a thick skin, and the ability to nod politely while your boss has a meltdown over a dining room table. Avi had that magic touch. Does anyone else?
LIVING SOLO IN THE BEL-AIR FORTRESS
Sutton’s comment about living “by myself” is actually kind of haunting. Her home is massive. It is a compound designed to be run by a staff. Without her “Head of Operations,” the daily logistics of her life are going to be a nightmare. We have seen what happens when Housewives lose their support systems—the cracks start to show immediately.
Is this the beginning of Sutton’s villain era? Isolated, friendless (with Garcelle gone), and staff-less (with Avi gone), she is entering Season as a lone wolf. That usually leads to paranoia, lashing out, and great television—but terrible personal well-being.
CLIFFHANGER: WILL AVI SPILL THE TEA?
The biggest question hanging over this entire saga is whether Avi Gabay will ever break his silence. He has the platform; he has the fan base. A tell-all book or a podcast appearance would shatter the internet. He witnessed the “Name ‘Em” fight. He saw the “ugly leather pants” debacle from the inside.
If he is truly “independent” now, what is stopping him? Maybe loyalty to Garcelle will keep him quiet about her, but Sutton? All bets are off. If he decides to talk, Sutton Stracke better have her lawyers on speed dial, because the man who managed her property knows exactly where the skeletons are hidden.
