Kyle Richards was briefly dating someone following her 2023 separation from Mauricio Umansky — but the details are vague.
“Since separating from Mau, I was in a relationship,” Kyle, 56, confirmed during the new Real Housewives of Beverly Hills episode, which premiered on Thursday, December 11. “I was in a very vulnerable place in my life and I fell hard for this person.”
Kyle explained that she was happy to “share that” relationship with the world, but the person she was with felt differently.
“All the speculation and the gossip and the talking is what ultimately ended it,” Kyle said. “I could have weathered the storm but this is not for everyone.”
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The second episode of RHOBH season 15 featured several members of the cast — including Jennifer Tilly — asking Kyle about her current relationship status. (Bozoma Saint John and Rachel Zoe also discussed Kyle’s relationship status during a separate hangout session of their own.)
“I am so tired of people asking about my dating life,” Kyle told costar Erika Jayne after the women got together at Jennifer’s house for a “Sip & Draw” party.
“Erika, if you were seeing someone that you cared very much about, that specifically says, ‘Please, I’m not a part of this group. Be respectful.’ Would you betray that person?” Kyle asked. “Just because people are curious.”
Erika, 54, made it clear that she would “protect” the person she was with.
“I’ve always told everybody just to be honest and I’m always an honest person,” Kyle continued. “I’m not a liar but I don’t know what people want from me. I am single now, OK.”
She got emotional when adding, “I was seeing someone who I cared about very much.”
Kyle started crying, telling Erika that people think they are “owed an answer” to questions about her life.
“If it was only me, I would give all the answers they want,” Kyle added. “But it’s not just about me.”
Kyle told her friend that it’s been a “confusing” time in her life.
“I think if this person weren’t so afraid of the public scrutiny and the life under a microscope,” she said, shrugging.
Kyle split from Mauricio after 27 years of marriage in July 2023. Following their separation, rumors started swirling that Kyle had moved on with country singer Morgan Wade. However, the women have denied being anything more than friends.
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Erika weighed in on her conversation with Kyle during her confessional.
“Imagine getting out of an almost 30-year marriage, unexpectedly falling in love with someone but you can’t talk about that love,” Erika said. “That’s a really hard place to be.”
She continued, “Even though this relationship is over, the women are still going to question Kyle until she addresses it once and for all, and clears everything up.”
Erika told viewers that Kyle is the “most honest” she’s ever been with herself at this point in her life.
“She’s open, understanding. Finally willing to be vulnerable,” Erika said. “I’m very proud of Kyle.”
The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills airs Thursdays at 8 p.m. ET on Bravo and next day on Peacock.