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Jarrett “JT” Thomas has left Charleston and “retired” from his life in the United States following his Southern Charm exit last year. “Today’s the first day of my journey in life,” JT, 40, announced via Instagram on Sunday, November 2. “I have pulled the rip chord. I am living in Bali. Just retired if you want to call it that.” The former reality star explained he is now “retired, living in Bali after living my whole life in the U.S.” hinting that America’s current political climate was part of his inspiration to leave South Carolina. “Honestly, I don’t even think it needs [an] explanation. I think I’ve just been thinking about doing this like many of you have. So, I said, ‘Enough’s enough,’” JT said of his choice “start anew” in a different country. JT revealed he was in the process of selling “everything” in the U.S., including his business and real estate assets. He teased that he could return to America someday when “things become normal again, if that ever happens.” JT told his followers that he was taking a big risk by leaving behind his friends and family, but felt it was time for a change. “I don’t know a single person,” he confessed, adding that he has already paid his rent in Bali for the month of November and could not be back in Charleston for Thanksgiving. JT noted, “Bali is incredible. It’s paradise. The reality is” but admitted, “If I don’t make friends and build a community, sooner or later I’m going to feel lonely. I’m going to want to fly back to the chaos and I don’t want to do that.” He concluded, “It’s not easy to start over but it’s exciting.” JT’s surprising move and retirement comes nearly one year after he exited Southern Charm ahead of the season 10 premiere. JT, who joined the Bravo series in 2023 for season 9, announced via Instagram in November 2024 that he “resigned” from the show before completing the last of his green room interviews. “I no longer wish to participate in any ways moving forward with the TV show,” he wrote in a statement at the time. “I will leave it at that for now … while I work on next steps to recover both physically and mentally from what has been an extremely challenging and exhausting year.” Throughout season 10, fans saw JT face several challenges and feud with almost every cast member. JT received backlash from Austen Kroll after claiming Austen, 38, was unfaithful to his girlfriend, Audrey Pratt, and created an enemy in Madison LeCroy after he insinuated that her husband, Brett Randle, was “jealous” about their alleged coziness during a group trip. JT was also painted as being racist toward longtime friend and brief love interest Venita Aspen, which he denied. Venita, 32, later claimed that JT lied to her about having a girlfriend in fall 2024 while they were pursuing a romantic relationship. During the season 10 reunion, which aired in March, the cast called JT a “f*** boy” for stringing Aspen along while dating someone else. While he didn’t make amends with everyone at the time, JT did apologize in part for his actions. Season 11 of Southern Charm premieres on Bravo Wednesday, November 19, at 9 p.m. ET.
