Legendary Real Housewives star Luann de Lesseps has weighed in on the claims that Kyle Richards is involved in a passionate lesbian romance.
Richards, who has served as The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills’ (RHOBH) unifying force since season one, has frequently denied rumors that she is dating country music artist Morgan Wade, saying instead that the two are simply “very good friends.”
The reality TV star, 54, has been spotted out and about with the singer, 27, on multiple occasions over the past few months, and even got matching tattoos together.
Richards also starred as Wade’s love interest in the music video for her song “Fall In With Me”.
Their relationship – romantic or platonic – blossomed around the same time that Richards and her husband of 27 years, Mauricio Umansky confirmed that they had separated.
Speaking to TMZ last month, Umansky said: “Divorce is not part of our conversation right now. That is not part of what we’re dealing with. We’re dealing with a separation,” though he did note that neither of them is “ready to throw in the towel yet.”
Luann De Lesseps, a cast member on Kyle’s Real Housewives: Ultimate Girls Trip, has now commented on the controversy.
De Lesseps, a longtime cast member of the Real Housewives of New York (RHONY), recently spoke with MailOnline about the Richards-Wade rumors. De Lesseps is now traveling the US with her Countess Cabaret act.
“Listen, who am I to judge? I don’t know. I was with Kyle on the first Ultimate Girls Trip, so I know Kyle and I love Kyle,” said De Lesseps.
Asked if she knew any of the details about Richards and Umansky’s recent rough patch, the former countess replied: “I haven’t heard… because I haven’t been out to LA. But nonetheless, that’s their private matter and I hope things work out… I don’t really know.”
And, on whether she’d consider a same-sex relationship herself, De Lesseps said: “It’s not my thing, but you never know! You just never know! I mean, love is love, right?”
De Lesseps’ remarks were made shortly after the RHOBH season 13 trailer debuted, which hinted at the breakup of Richards and Umansky as well as her newfound connection with Wade.
The opening sentence of the three-minute clip reads, “Breaking news, Kyle and Mauricio have officially split.”
Following a heartfelt confession and admission that many of her followers no longer believe in genuine love, the scene turns to co-star Erika Jayne telling Richards, “Everybody else’s opinion can f**k off.”
When the other housewives begin to inquire about Richards’ new connection with Wade, a season that already appears to be jam-packed with drama seems to reach its peak.
“Where there’s smoke, there’s fire,” Sutton Strake says of the lesbian romance rumours.
In another scene, when one housewife asks: “Kyle, where is she?”, Strake replies: “In denial about something.”
Real Housewives of Beverly Hills returns to Bravo in the US on 25 October.