She’s landed a coveted role in season six of Netflix’s Selling Sunset – yet Chelsea Lazkani wasn’t always living the glamorous high life in the Hollywood hills.
The British mother-of-two has revealed she grew up in a council house and used to share a bedroom with two siblings as her parents scrimped and saved to give them the best life possible.
North west London-born Chelsea, 29, whose parents are immigrants from Nigeria, says she was inspired by her ‘workaholic’ mother and father to become a success.
Honest: Chelsea Lazkani revealed she used to share a bedroom with two siblings in her family’s council house as her parents scrimped and saved and saved to give them the best they could
Speaking to The Mirror she said: ‘When I was four to seven we lived on council estates. I remember going to a store and not being able to pick out an extra loaf of bread.
‘Because we had nothing, we had to be cost conscious. I always knew the value of a pound.’
She added: ‘I will never, ever let go of that house. It was tiny, but I want to keep it as a reminder.’
Humble: North west London-born Chelsea, 29, whose parents are immigrants from Nigeria, says she was inspired by her ‘workaholic’ mother and father to become a success
The reality star began working with Rodeo Realty Inc. as a real estate agent in Los Angeles in 2017, after relocating from London.
She then joined The Oppenheim Group in July 2021, and after almost a year with the company, she announced the news she’d be joining the cast of Selling Sunset in March.
The British-Nigerian luxury real estate agent graduated with a degree in economics from University of Birmingham before gaining a masters in gas and oil economics in Dundee.
Climbing the ladder: The reality star began working with Rodeo Realty Inc. as a real estate agent in Los Angeles in 2017, after relocating from London
For years she worked as a business strategist and solar analyst with companies in the oil and gas industry, before she visited Los Angeles and fell in love with her husband Jeff in 2015.
After the pair married in 2017, Chelsea gained her real estate license and joined the famous brokerage last year.
Speaking passionately about having a solid work ethic she told the outlet: ‘My parents are immigrants from Nigeria. They’re workaholics, workhorses.
‘All my parents’ success has come from hard work. I always had a strong work ethic because I saw my parents work so hard.
‘My mum worked in a supermarket when I was young. She got into human resources and started to climb the corporate ladder.’
Living the dream, Chelsea is keeping her feet firmly on the ground after finding TV fame in Los Angeles.
Incredible: In her first year as an agent, she successfully oversaw more than $10 million in sales, leading her to make her own first home purchase in Manhattan Beach, CA (pictured in the show)
In her first year as an agent, she successfully oversaw more than $10 million in sales, leading her to make her own first home purchase in Manhattan Beach, CA.
And with over five years in the industry, she was introduced to Jason Oppenheim through her husband.
Having ‘always been very familiar with The Oppenheim Group’, she joined the company last year.
Loved-up: In 2017, she married her husband Jeff, who is a managing partner at Icon Media Direct, a marketing and advertising company (pictured together)
According to her online biography, she feels she ‘is breathing new life into an industry not typically dominated by black women.’
And after almost a year with the company, in March she announced the news she’d be joining the cast of Selling Sunset, posting on Instagram: ‘The secret is OUT!
I’m beyond thrilled to announce that I have joined the cast of Selling Sunset! So grateful for everyone involved, the list is long and you know who you are.
‘The laughs, the lux, the drama, it’s all there in season 5 and I can’t wait for you all to see it!’ she added.
Her first season: During filming of the popular real estate show she quickly struck a friendship with the show’s main villainess, Christine Quinn, 33, who recently left The Oppenheim Group
During filming she quickly struck a friendship with the show’s main villainess, Christine Quinn, 33, who recently left The Oppenheim Group, following accusations that she attempted to bribe one of her fellow real estate agent Emma Hernan’s clients.
In March 2022, Chelsea told People , ‘I just adore Christine [Quinn]. We have such a great relationship.’
However, she made it clear that Christine’s issues with other women on the show are her own, stating, ‘I understand they may have had drama, but I am here to form my own unique relationships.’
Season 5 of Selling Sunset is now available to stream on Netflix.
New season: Season 5 of Selling Sunset is now available to stream on Netflix
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