When Floribama Shore first hit MTV in 2017, the world wasn't exactly ready for the hurricane that was Kortni Gilson. She was the local Panama City Beach girl who didn't just walk into the house—she exploded into it. Within the first episode, she had already established herself as the "wild child" of the group.
She was messy. She was loud. Honestly, she was the kind of person who made for incredible, albeit sometimes uncomfortable, television. But as the seasons rolled on, the "Krazy Kortni" persona started to feel less like a fun party trick and more like a cry for help.
What actually happened to Kortni Gilson?
Most fans remember the sudden exit during Season 3. It felt abrupt, didn't it? One minute she’s struggling with a nasty case of tonsillitis, and the next, she’s essentially gone for good. But the reality was way darker than just a throat infection.
The turning point came in the back of a production van. It was a moment that MTV actually chose to edit around, leaving viewers to piece together the aftermath through the tearful reactions of her roommates, Codi Butts and Kirk Medas.
Kortni later revealed, specifically in a heavy-hitting interview with Dr. Drew Pinsky, that the chaotic environment of the house had triggered severe PTSD. She opened up about a traumatic sexual assault she suffered at age 16—something she had suppressed for years. Being in a house filled with screaming matches, constant drinking, and toxic relationship dynamics (shoutout to the drama with her ex, Logan Fairbanks) finally broke the dam.
She wasn't just "over" the show. She was in a full-blown mental health crisis.
The breaking point nobody saw coming
It's easy to judge reality stars from the couch. "Why can't she just pull it together?" we ask. But Kortni was fighting a war on multiple fronts. She eventually admitted to using substances like Xanax and alcohol to numb the trauma she wasn't ready to face.
When you're dealing with that kind of internal weight, a reality TV set is basically a pressure cooker. She realized—rightfully so—that if she didn't leave then, she might not make it out at all.
Life after the beach house (2024-2026)
So, where is she now? If you’re looking for her on a Jersey Shore style reunion, don't hold your breath. Kortni has moved on. Like, really moved on.
As of early 2026, her life looks nothing like the blurry nights at Ms. Newby's. She has pivoted hard into mental health advocacy. She uses her Instagram platform—which still boasts nearly half a million followers—to talk about things like:
- Body positivity and the reality of physical health.
- The messy, non-linear journey of sobriety.
- The importance of therapy and "doing the work" when no one is watching.
She has also leaned into fitness. If you check her recent updates, she’s frequently posting gym clips and before-and-after photos that focus on feeling strong rather than just looking a certain way. She even got a series of tattoos on her left arm that serve as a roadmap of her recovery, including phrases like "divine feminine" and "keep your heart open."
Is she still friends with the cast?
This is where it gets a bit "kinda." For a long time, there was major friction. In 2023 and 2024, there were public back-and-forths, particularly with Aimee Hall. Aimee had made comments on TikTok about the cast being frustrated that Kortni didn't show up for press events despite being paid.
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Kortni clapped back, basically saying her health wasn't worth the paycheck. While some of the cast members like Nilsa Prowant have moved into the "mom life" phase and stay relatively quiet about the old drama, the bond between Kortni and the rest of the crew seems to have largely dissolved.
She has chosen a quieter life. It's a choice that probably saved her.
What most people get wrong about her exit
People love to label her as "lazy" or "difficult" because of how she spent those final episodes in bed. But looking back through the lens of mental health, it’s clear she was experiencing catatonic-level depression and anxiety.
She wasn't just tired. She was paralyzed.
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Today, she advocates for suicide prevention and works with brands that align with her self-care mission. She’s no longer the girl peeing in her roommate's bed (yes, we all remember that); she’s a woman who survived the reality TV machine and came out the other side with her head held high.
Key takeaways for fans
If you're still following Kortni's journey, here is what her story actually teaches us about the reality TV industry:
- Privacy is a luxury: Leaving the spotlight was the only way she could actually heal. You can't fix a broken mind while cameras are recording your every breakdown.
- Trauma doesn't stay buried: No matter how much "partying" you do, the past eventually catches up. Kortni's story is a massive reminder that professional help beats self-medicating every time.
- Growth isn't a straight line: She still has "bad days" and is vocal about them. That’s more "real" than anything we ever saw on Floribama Shore.
If you or someone you know is struggling with similar issues regarding mental health or trauma, organizations like the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) provide resources that don't involve the scrutiny of a national television crew. It’s okay to step back. In fact, sometimes it's the only way forward.