Kyle Richards has spent 14 years sharing the good, the bad, and the ugly parts of her life. This year is no different as she navigates friendship drama, a separation, and constant rumors about her sexuality in front of a national audience. But one other thing that perked fans’ attention in The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills Season 14 teaser was when Garcelle Beauvais revealed that Dorit Kemsley‘s estranged husband PK Kemsley still texts Richards, despite her fallout with Dorit and his ongoing separation.
“PK and I have always had this brother-sister banter that Dorit always loved and she would always talk about,” Richards told DECIDER over a Zoom call. “We even talked about, when Dorit and I weren’t speaking, that PK and I would send funny memes and stuff. We always knew that we would be friends again, and she never cared about that.”
However, this time was different. With Dorit and PK on the outs and Dorit’s friendship with Richards more strained than ever, the fashion designer seemingly had a problem with her estranged husband continuing to “send funny things” to her former BFF.
“It became like, ‘Why is he even sending you this stuff?’ And I was like, ‘Oh, my God,’” Richards explained. “It just became way bigger than it was. And I felt really like my character was being questioned. I thought, ‘You know who I am. You know my character. You know this is nothing like that. Like, why are you trying to make something out of nothing?’”
Richards also opened up about life since Mauricio Umansky moved out of their home, her “unscripted docuseries” with Reese Witherspoon, and what fans can expect from The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills Season 14. Check out the full interview below.
DECIDER: I’m so excited about this season, and I’m so happy that you are back. How do you feel going into your 14th season?
KYLE RICHARDS: I’m feeling better now that it’s over. I didn’t feel great going into it. I hesitated to go back. I just did not think I was ready. I thought it was too soon. With last season and the stuff going on in my personal life, I just didn’t think that I could or wanted to do it. But then, of course, I did. I had my first meltdown in 14 years. You know what? I think I was due. Never happened before. So I was definitely due.
You very bravely opened up about questioning your sexuality in the premiere episode – and I especially love the role your daughters played in sort of giving you the green light to do that. Where do you currently stand on that topic? Do you have a better idea now than when you filmed this? Are there any updates?
Well, you know, I said in the episode, I said to the girls, I wish I had some great, amazing update for you now. But I’m still figuring things out myself. Even being comfortable enough to say that was a very big deal for me. So I guess that would be the update, that I’m even comfortable to say that. That was part of figuring all of that out. It was important for me to have that conversation with my daughters because there was so much talk and speculation, which is what actually got me even thinking about it. To be honest, that would never have crossed my brain ever in a million years. I felt like being honest with them, what that had sort of sparked in me and where I was at was important to share with them. I wanted to lead by example by being open and honest and having that very difficult conversation, in case they ever needed to come to me about anything difficult. They know we have an “everything is on the table” policy. I accept you, love you, no matter what.
We obviously see some emotional moments between you and Mau in the trailer – but there were also some more lighthearted moments in the premiere, like when you were trying to move the couch or figure out the remote. What has been the most challenging part of him moving out?
He’s the only man in a house. For all of those things, I turn to him for everything. I’ve always been a very independent person. I was raised with a mom but I would do everything myself. I would never wait for a man to lift or carry something. I’m always trying to do everything myself anyway. But when it comes to things like electronics, no, not my wheelhouse. And I would always be like, “Can someone put the TV on? Can someone put the music? I need some ambiance.” Especially now, with Mau being out of the house, that means all the games that were on are not on the TV and the people coming over to watch those games. And with Alexia moving, all our friends that would come over to watch their favorite shows and the music and I’m like, “Wait, the house is really quiet. Now, I actually really need those things.” But I don’t know how to do them all. They’ve taught me and I still struggle and I will have to text the family chat all the time. Even to Mau, I’m like, “Can you help me get into this app to watch the show?” Why do I not have my own? I’m like, “Why do I not have my own accounts?” This is ridiculous. I can be a working woman, have homes here and there, but I don’t have any of my own music or television.
I feel like that’s a very relatable thing because my household is the exact same way.
I hope so because honestly, it’s ridiculous. I have to type in the word search, “Peacock password, username.” I can’t with all of this.
It’s no secret that you and Dorit are not on great terms this season. What was your reaction to finding out about her and PK? Were you surprised to hear Dorit say he had a drinking problem?
I was surprised she said that. Listen, she did share with some of us that they were struggling, but I still was surprised by the announcement. I was, because you can struggle and work through things, and I know how much they love each other. So that was sad to me. And I was very surprised by that, that they went so quick into that. And I was surprised to hear her call PK [an alcoholic] just because he’s not there to defend or explain himself or anything, and it’s the father of her kids. I was kind of like, “Oh, wow. That’s saying a lot. Does he know this is being said? Or what is he going to say about this?”
While we’re on the topic, there was this moment in the trailer where Garcelle claimed that you and PK text. Can you clarify exactly what she meant by that?
PK and I have always had this brother-sister banter that Dorit always loved and she would always talk about. We even talked about, when Dorit and I weren’t speaking, that PK and I would send each other funny memes and stuff. We always knew that we would be friends again, and she never cared about that. So, he continued to send me these funny things. And it became like, “Why is he even sending you this stuff?” And I was like, “Oh, my God.” It just became way bigger than it was. And I felt really like my character was being questioned. I thought, “You know who I am. You know my character. You know this is nothing like that. Like, why are you trying to make something out of nothing?” And I just didn’t have it in me at that point with all the stuff that was going on in my personal life. So I was just like, I cannot do this anymore. This is what it’s going to be. I don’t want to be on this show anymore [laughs].
Well, it’s good to set healthy boundaries with everything in life.
I don’t know how well I handled it because like I said, I was not in the best state in my life. But it is what it is.
I love to see Kathy back on the show. How do you feel about having her back in a larger capacity? And what do you think about her friendship with Dorit?
I’m always asked that when I have an argument with one of these women and we’re not in a good place and then Kathy’s friends with them. I don’t mind that. I really don’t. I know that we’re shooting a TV show together, and there were going to be times where we were put together in the same groups and all of that. Of course, I still would like the support. But I understood being put in that position. Last year, they were trying to make a big thing about if I was mad about Sutton and Kathy. I’m like, “If you’re friends with Kathy, that doesn’t take away that she’s my sister.” Yeah, it’s fine. I’m not that petty. I’m petty about other things but that’s not one of them.
You recently revealed that you’re the mystery Housewife working with Reese Witherspoon. What can you tell us about that collaboration?
Well, all I can say is that it is an unscripted docuseries. And that’s pretty much all I can say right now, unfortunately. I don’t have an update, though.
Is there anything you’re excited for fans to see this season on Beverly Hills? Anything you can tease?
Well, I mean, there’s a lot. We talk a lot about the drama, which is a lot, obviously, but there’s a lot of fun things too. Our trips are great, and we have a lot of moments of laughing. I mean, I was either crying or laughing so hard I cried. It’s definitely up and down all season, which will keep the audience entertained.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills airs on Tuesday nights at 8 p.m. ET/PT on Bravo. New episodes begin streaming the next day on Peacock.
