You remember the tension. That thick, awkward silence on the reunion couch when the rest of the Little Women: LA cast looked at Briana Renee like she’d lost her mind. For six seasons, we watched the "Fierce Mama" navigate a life that felt like a permanent storm. Then, she just... vanished. Well, not vanished, but she stepped away from the Lifetime spotlight that had arguably become more of a burden than a blessing.
Honestly, it’s been years since the peak of the show’s drama, but people are still obsessed with what happened to her. Why did she leave? Is she still with him? And what’s she doing now that the glitter of reality TV has faded?
The Breaking Point and the Exit
Briana didn't just quit Little Women: LA because she was bored. It was a survival move. By the end of Season 6, her life was a tabloid's dream and a person's nightmare. Between the hospital scares during her pregnancy with Maverick and the relentless cheating scandals surrounding her then-husband, Matt Grundhoffer, she was cooked.
She chose not to return for Season 7 because she didn't want her divorce playing out for the world to pick apart. Can you blame her? She needed to focus on her "mind, body, and soul." That sounds like a cliché influencer line, but when you've been through a high-risk pregnancy while your spouse is being accused of everything under the sun, it’s just facts.
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The Matt Grundhoffer Saga: Where It Stands
If you’re looking for a reconciliation story, you won't find it here. The relationship with Matt was, to put it mildly, the most polarizing part of her time on TV. Her family hated him. Her friends (especially Terra) hated him. The fans? They really hated him.
The couple officially split in late 2017, and the divorce was finalized later. Since then, Briana has kept her romantic life under a heavy-duty lock and key. It’s a complete 180 from the woman who let cameras into her bedroom to discuss sexting scandals. She learned the hard way that when you invite the public into your marriage, they don't leave just because things get ugly.
Life as a Fierce Mama: Leiana and Maverick
These days, Briana’s world revolves almost entirely around her two kids. Her daughter, Leiana (from her first marriage to Leif Manson), is basically a grown-up now. It’s wild to think back to the early seasons when she was just a little girl on screen.
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Then there’s Maverick Jax. Born four weeks early in 2016, Maverick’s arrival was terrifying for fans. Briana was on bed rest for months, and there were serious concerns about her health. Maverick has achondroplasia, the same type of dwarfism as Briana. Today, he’s a thriving kid, and Briana frequently shares snippets of their "normal" life—trips to the park, school milestones, and just being a mom without a camera crew in the kitchen.
The Music: From "Cage" to the Future
Remember the song "Cage"? It was her big musical debut right after she left the show. It was catchy, sure, but it was also a blatant middle finger to everyone who tried to control her. She released it under the name Renée, dropping the "Briana" to signal a fresh start.
The music career hasn't turned into a Taylor Swift-level stadium tour, but that wasn't really the point. For her, it was about finding her voice after years of being "the quiet one" or "the victim" in the group. She’s still involved in the creative arts, but she’s much more selective about what she puts out there.
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What Briana is doing in 2026:
- Influencer Work: She’s active on platforms like Cameo and Instagram, where she leans into the "influencer" space but with a focus on positivity.
- Privacy Advocacy: She’s become a bit of a cautionary tale for reality stars, often hinting that the "fame" wasn't worth the mental toll.
- Motherhood: This is her full-time gig. She’s heavily involved in the dwarfism community, supporting other parents and advocating for better representation.
Little Women LA Briana: Why We Still Care
Why does her name still trend? Because she was the one we all wanted to "save." We watched her alienate her family for a man who didn't seem to deserve her loyalty, and we waited for the moment she’d realize her own worth.
When she finally walked away—from the show and the marriage—it felt like a win for the viewers, too. She proved that you can be "little" and still have the biggest backbone in the room when it counts.
She isn't chasing the reality TV dragon anymore. You won't see her on some "All-Stars" reboot or a messy dating show. She’s living a quiet, somewhat suburban life in California, focusing on being a parent and staying healthy. After years of being poked and prodded by producers, she finally found her peace.
Actionable Takeaways for Fans
If you're still following Briana's journey, here’s how to stay updated without falling for the clickbait:
- Check her official socials: She uses @briana.renee on Instagram. This is the only place you'll get real updates on her kids and her life.
- Support her music: "Cage" is still on Spotify and iTunes. If you want to support her independent career, that's the best way to do it.
- Respect the boundaries: She’s made it clear she’s done with the "Matt talk." Commenting on her posts asking about her ex is a quick way to get blocked.
- Look for her on Cameo: If you want a personal shoutout, she’s actually one of the more active former cast members on there. It’s a great way to see her personality without the reality TV editing.
Briana Renee’s story is a reminder that the best "ending" to a reality show is often the one where you stop being a character and start being a person again.