RHOBH’s Kyle Richards Shares Journey of Questioning Her Sexuality Amid Media Scrutiny
The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills‘ Kyle Richards got candid about questioning her sexual orientation following media scrutiny around her friendship with country singer Morgan Wade.
Kyle Richards is discovering a new side of herself.
The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star got candid about questioning her sexuality after she first hinted she was rethinking her sexual orientation during the Bravo series’ season 13 reunion earlier this year
“It actually felt good for me to be honest about that and it isn’t something that I’ve never thought about or questioned my life until this last couple years,” Kyle told E! News in an exclusive interview. “That was very confusing for me and I kept telling people, ‘Can you just give me time to figure things out? I’m learning things about myself.'”
In addition to her ongoing sobriety and wellness journey, she also separated from husband of 27 years Mauricio Umansky in 2023. So,, media scrutiny around her friendship with country singer Morgan Wade only added more stress.
“There were so many rumors in the tabloids that I wanted to address with my daughters, who are my best friends,” Kyle—who shares Farrah, 36, Alexia, 28, Sophia, 24, and Portia, 16, with her ex—explained. “I also didn’t want them to be embarrassed. I still want to be a good role model to them, but I realized that in being a good role model to them, I need to be honest and teach them to be true to themselves too.”
But after sitting her family down to talk, her kids couldn’t have been more supportive.
“I had to say to them, ‘This is something that I have been confronted with now, so I want you to know that, because it’s out there,'” the Halloween Ends actress continued. “Part of it being out there is what made me look at that and see things with the different lens.”
Phylicia J. L. Munn/BravoBut when it comes down to it, her recent exploration had nothing to do with dating rumors surrounding her and Morgan, which she previously shot down.
“I can only speak to myself, I’m not here to speak about anyone else’s sexual orientation,” Kyle noted. “A lot of things in this last couple years made me see things differently. I just realized that I had one way of thinking, the way I was raised, and was just on autopilot. And all of a sudden I was like, ‘Wait, I have my own thoughts, my own feelings that have nothing to do with the way I was raised or what I was taught and it’s okay.'”
“Whether that’s getting a tattoo at my age or whatever, my sexual orientation,” the 55-year-old continued, “it’s okay. Which is why I wanted to have that conversation with my daughters too, because that’s not how I was raised at all. I want my daughters to always be comfortable being whoever they are and know that they’re loved and supported no matter what.”
See Kyle’s journey play out when The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills premieres Nov. 19 at 8 p.m. on Bravo.
And keep reading to learn more about season 14.
Phylicia J. L. Munn/BravoDorit Kemsley
Dorit Kemsley opens up to the women about her marriage to PK, sharing that their struggles run deeper than she’s admitted to in the past. As they navigate a separation, Dorit faces a rollercoaster of emotions while trying to shield their children from the fallout. Discovering her voice, she’s not afraid to speak up for what she wants out of her relationships.
Phylicia J. L. Munn/BravoGarcelle Beauvais
Garcelle Beauvais is busier than ever building her legacy. On top of executive producing and starring in new projects, she’s guiding her son Jaid through the first steps of his modeling career. Thriving professionally, Garcelle is ready to start the next chapter in her personal life and seeks to mend past rifts in her relationship with her son Oliver.
Phylicia J. L. Munn/BravoKyle Richards
Kyle Richards steps into an uncharted phase of life, grappling with the reality of her separation from her husband, Mauricio. With their daughter Alexia also out of the house, Kyle’s once bustling home is no longer what it used to be, leaving her to adjust to her new normal.
Phylicia J. L. Munn/BravoSutton Stracke
Sutton Stracke is forging her own path while healing old wounds. With a new sustainable capsule collection and fashion show in the works, this Southern socialite is thriving in her professional life. Trying to show her mother that she can stand on her own, Sutton may finally get the approval she has always longed for.
Phylicia J. L. Munn/BravoBozoma Saint John
Coming off a 20-year run as a marketing executive, newcomer Bozoma Saint John is making big moves in her family life. In the midst of raising her 15-year-old daughter, Lael, and building her relationship with boyfriend Keely, she’s focused on expanding her family. Smart, successful, and self-made, Bozoma is unafraid to speak her mind. While she and Dorit become fast friends, some of the other women quickly question her allegiance.
Phylicia J. L. Munn/BravoJennifer Tilly
No stranger to the glamor of Beverly Hills, Oscar-nominated actress Jennifer Tilly is brought into the fold by close friend Sutton. Always larger than life, she brings a much-needed levity to the friend group.
Phylicia J. L. Munn/BravoErika Jayne
It’s out with the old and in with the new as Erika Jayne sheds her old life by getting rid of the furniture she’s held onto from her marriage. Though her legal issues aren’t completely gone, she can finally breathe and move forward. Just as things are looking up, Erika finds herself playing middleman between friends Kyle and Dorit, forcing her to navigate rocky terrain.
Phylicia J. L. Munn/BravoKathy Hilton
Resident socialite and 90210 icon Kathy Hilton returns as a grounding presence for the ladies amid all the changes. She’s a source of support for her sister Kyle and becomes a trusted confidant for Dorit.
