Teddi Mellencamp said she believes Dorit Kemsley released a private text from Kyle Richards in order to keep her spot on the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.
The former RHOBH star, 42, discussed Dorit, 47, and best friend Kyle's, 55, recent drama on Tuesday's episode of her 'Two Ts in a Pod' podcast with Tamra Judge.
'This is the part that really bothers me about all of this. I think that was Dorit's final Hail Mary of like, "You guys have to keep me on the show because here I am spilling something that you never should have spilled."'
She also disagreed with Kemsley's belief that Richards sent her the lengthy text message in order to 'silence' her ahead of the Season 13 reunion, the first part of which aired on Wednesday.
'This is saying, "Listen, we have a lot of other s**t to talk about. Why do you need to drag our friendship through the mud right now?"' Teddi explained her reading of Richards' text.
Teddi Mellencamp, 42, said she believes Dorit Kemsley, 47, released a private text from Kyle Richards, 55, in order to keep her spot on the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills; Seen in 2023
'I think that was Dorit's final Hail Mary of like, "You guys have to keep me on the show because here I am spilling something that you never should have spilled,"' she shared on her podcast; Dorit (L) and Kyle (R) pictured at the RHOBH reunion
Mellencamp also questioned Kemsley's friendships with her other castmates.
'I don't think she has a good relationship with the majority of the women on the cast.'
'I don't think she has a storyline other than the PTSD, which she's been talking about for three years now,' Mellencamp quipped, referring to the 2021 armed burglary at Kemsley's home in Encino, California.
'You start to think about what makes the show good. When there’s true relationships, true friendships and highs and lows. All we've seen so far this season of Dorit is Dorit mocking what Kyle is going through.'
Mellencamp went on to state that Kemsley's decision to share the text with production is proof that she is 'a friend to no one.'
'At what point is that drawing the line? It is one thing to say, "Listen, Kyle sent me a text yesterday where she said she didn't want to argue with me." But to go there and show a private message I really think is crossing the line," Teddi, who left RHOBH after 2020's Season 10.
'Especially when I have the text messages that she has sent to our mutual friends saying, "I really hope Kyle knows that I will put her above the show any day. If she ever needs anything, I am there to support her. I love her. I care about her."'
'I have loved Dorit in the past but I have said there is something about her that solely cares about being on that TV show. That is her entire identity.'
Mellencamp also questioned Kemsley's friendships with her other castmates. 'I don't think she has a good relationship with the majority of the women on the cast'; Teddi seen in 2022
'I don't think she has a storyline other than the PTSD, which she's been talking about for three years now,' Mellencamp quipped, referring to the 2021 armed burglary at Kemsley's home in Encino, California
'There is something about her that solely cares about being on that TV show. That is her entire identity,' Teddi summed up the situation
'I feel disgusted that she would do that to a friend.'
This current case of 'text gate' started when Dorit accused Kyle of trying to 'silence' her and 'manipulate' her before the three-part season 13 reunion started taping.
'There's stuff with Kyle and I that’s going on and it hurts and bothers me the most,' Dorit told Erika Jayne, 52, in her trailer before coming out to film the reunion.
'I haven't heard from her in a couple of months. Then, she sends me a text yesterday, basically trying to silence me. It was so manipulative, it was so calculated,' she added.
She then scrolled through Richards' long text before exclaiming: 'It's like a novel! What the f***!'
Kyle's text read, in part: 'Hi, I've been trying to reach out because I know we are in a weird place and it really bothers me. AND it's not even on the show...I wanted to explain where I am at and why I have been distant but my hands are tied,' she said referring to her split from her husband Mauricio Umansky.
Kyle then detailed the pain she was feeing at the end of her 30 year union and added that she knew Dorit was also in a hard place and told her she loved her, her husband and her kids.
'I don't want to lose someone else in my life over a TV show. They don't even know we are going through a hard time so I don't see the need to bring it up there,' Kyle continued.
This current case of 'text gate' started when Dorit accused Kyle of trying to 'silence' her and 'manipulate' her before the three-part season 13 reunion started taping
'There's stuff with Kyle and I that’s going on and it hurts and bothers me the most,' Dorit told Erika Jayne, 52, in her trailer before coming out to film the reunion
'I haven't heard from her in a couple of months. Then, she sends me a text yesterday, basically trying to silence me. It was so manipulative, it was so calculated,' she added
'I don't want to lose someone else in my life over a TV show. They don't even know we are going through a hard time so I don't see the need to bring it up there,' Kyle texted Dorit
The latest season followed Kyle as her 27-year-long marriage to real estate mogul Mauricio Umansky, 53, began to crumble, and she told Dorit she would rather not discuss their friendship issues as well as her marital woes at the reunion; Seen in 2023
'I should have said something sooner but honestly haven't been strong enough. But relationships and YOU are more important to me than RHOBH and I don't feel like "bringing it" for the [reunion] at our expense - especially when we have enough battles to handle as it is.'
Kyle waved the white flag, writing: 'Anyway, I would like to sit down and talk after we get through tomorrow,' she said referring to the reunion taping.
'Maybe have lunch or dinner when you can. If you want to talk before tomorrow I am around. I would give anything not to go and have to do this.
'I don't know how much longer I can do this show. It's so toxic and creates so much anxiety for me. Anyway let me know if you want to talk.'
Real Housewives of New York star Bethenny Frankel, 53, weighed in on the situation earlier this week, sharing a rant on her TikTok channel.
'Wow Dorit wow. cannot believe a private, personal, emotional, heartfelt, guttural text from Kyle to a friend off-camera when not working, when not filming, was aired. What a violation,' fumed Bethenny.
Her Sunday post went on to talk about how she could 'not imagine what that would feel like' to have one of her best friends show a private message to other people.
'Then imagine you’re thinking like, "Oh my God, what else have I texted that person? Like, where are the other monsters?"' the star said.
Real Housewives of New York star Bethenny Frankel, 53, weighed in on the situation earlier this week, slamming Dorit for the 'violation'
Frankel went on to say that text messages between friends should be a private, safe space.
'When you’re working, you’re working, and that’s vile enough. But when you’re not working, and you’re off the clock, are they also going to own your thoughts?
'That’s a private text. That’s insane! And Kyle is their favorite — imagine how they treat their least favorites, whoa,' she concluded.
The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills airs Wednesdays at 8 p.m. ET on Bravo.
