Paige DeSorbo Calls Winning First-Ever People Inc. Media Impact Award at the FGI Rising Star Awards 'Surreal' (Exclusive)
Paige DeSorbo Calls Winning First-Ever People Inc. Media Impact Award at the FGI Rising Star Awards 'Surreal' (Exclusive)
Catherine Santino, Carly BreitThu, April 23, 2026 at 7:41 PM UTC
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Paige DeSorbo.Credit: Randy Brooke/Getty -
Paige DeSorbo told PEOPLE that it was "very surreal" to win the first-ever People Inc. Media Impact Award at this year's Fashion Group International (FGI) Rising Star Awards
The Summer House alum described the experience as "extremely humbling"
DeSorbo also responded to fans who want her in attendance at the Summer House season 10 reunion
Paige DeSorbo is a total trailblazer.
The Summer House alum, 33, caught up with PEOPLE at the Fashion Group International (FGI) 30th Annual Rising Star Awards on Thursday, April 16, where she won the first-ever People Inc. Media Impact Award.
DeSorbo described the experience as "very surreal."
"It was extremely humbling when I got the call," she recalled. "I was like, 'They want to give me what?'"
In her acceptance speech, the Giggly Squad cohost reflected on her success. "If there's anything I've learned, it's that you don't need to reinvent yourself to succeed," she shared. "You have to trust that who you are is enough and then actually show up as that person, consistently."
She concluded with, "So thank you to People Inc. for this incredible honor, and thank you for creating something new and meaningful with this award."
Paige DeSorbo.Credit: Jared Siskin/Patrick McMullan via Getty
While speaking to PEOPLE, DeSorbo also responded to fans who want her in attendance at the season 10 reunion. The star notably announced her departure from Summer House via her Instagram Stories in June 2025.
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"I have seen it," she says of the fan requests. "I'm so happy that contractually, I do not have to be there. I've never been happier, honestly."
DeSorbo's response comes just weeks after former costar Amanda Batula confirmed her secret romance with West Wilson. The pair released a joint statement on their Instagram Stories on March 31, revealing that they'd been romantically involved amid "growing online speculation."
Batula announced her split from husband Kyle Cooke in January 2026 after four years of marriage. Wilson previously dated costar Ciara Miller during his first season of Summer House in 2023 before they split that December.
DeSorbo announced her Summer House departure on June 5, 2025, writing in an Instagram Stories post that she "made the decision not to return for the show's 10th season. "Being part of this show has been one of the most rewarding chapters of my life — the friendships, the drama, the giggles, all unforgettable," she wrote. "You've seen me grow up over these last 7 summers. I'll always be beyond grateful for the memories, the community and the opportunities this wild ride has brought me. But like all good things (and some bad decisions), it's time for this chapter to close."
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DeSorbo later told Byrdie in September 2025 that she "would've been doing a disservice" to the show if she stuck around. She also opened up to PEOPLE about whether she'd ever return to reality TV a few months earlier, saying: "I would never say never, but I think coming off of it after seven years, I would love a break."
But she's full speed ahead in other aspects of her career thanks to her hot Giggly Squad podcast with former Summer House-er Hannah Berner, major deals with brands like TRESemmé and her own line of sleep and loungewear, Daphne, made, of course, for the bedrotter in all of us.
on People
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
