Kim Richards made a rare public appearance in Los Angeles.
In January 2025, the former “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” star appeared at a fan convention where she also shared an update on her life, including a possible change to her living situation.
While greeting fans, Richards, 60, spoke to podcast host David Yontef. The popular podcaster detailed his exchange with the former child star on his “Behind the Velvet Rope” podcast on January 24.
Speaking with guest Sarah Fraser, Yontef said he ran into Richards at an “old Hollywood” convention. “Let’s not forget Kim Richards is an actress,” he said. “She was on ‘Escape from Witch Mountain.’ There are people that are very huge fans of that show and all the other work that she’s done.”
Yontef admitted he didn’t think Richards would show up at the convention due to recent headlines about her personal life. In September 2024, TMZ reported that Richards’ family had cut ties with her following an alleged relapse with alcohol.
In an October 2024 interview with Access Hollywood, Kyle Richards said the whole family has been there for Kim. “I’m supporting her like I would any other time that my sister’s gone through a difficult time,” she said. “You know my family very much sticks together in these times, even though it’s obviously difficult and challenging.” Eldest sister Kathy Hilton also told People magazine that Kim was “doing well” and that all of the sisters would spend the holidays together.
Kim Richards Said She Has Been Spending Time in Florida
On his podcast, Yontef revealed that he was pleasantly surprised to see Kim Richards at the fan event as scheduled. “I’ve said this before, Kim Richards, like the energy, Kim Richards is just a sweet, kind, gentle woman, right? Like a really lovely energy, really. I mean, that,” he said. “I’m good at like reading people. That is a skill of mine. … Kim is just a kind, gentle, nice person. So, I just want to preface this by saying, I really love Kim, okay?”
The ”Behind the Velvet Rope” host said he saw Richards shortly after the wildfires in Los Angeles County. “She asked me like, you know, ‘How are you doing and where do you live?’” Yontef recalled. “And I said, you know, ‘I live in Hollywood, and you know, my area is not necessarily affected or whatever.’ So, I said, ‘Well, where do you live?’ You know, because I mean, I really didn’t know where Kyle [Richards’] townhouse is that she apparently lives in. And she’s like, well, she’s like, ‘Well, actually, I flew in for this convention from Florida.’ She said, ‘By the way, I still have a house in Encino, like, for everyone who thinks like I don’t, like they’re all reading these headlines about me.’”
Yontef said Richards told him that her friends said she should make a statement regarding the negative headlines to set the record straight, but she questioned why she would do that. He also shared that she claimed she hadn’t spoken to her sisters Kyle Richards and Kathy Hilton in a long time, noting that Hilton is “too involved in the show now.”
“And I even asked about the kids, and it seemed like she didn’t speak to anyone,” Yontef added. “And again, I just want to stress she flew in. So, I don’t think Kim lives in California,” he speculated.
When contacted by EntertainmentNow, Yontef said Richards “was very aware of all the recent headlines about herself” and explained to him that if she were to respond to the recent stories it would just be “a never-ending loop of gossip, and that she was choosing to enjoy life instead.”
Yontef also said Richards had a “great energy” when he saw her and told him she “loves living in Florida” with one of her best friends. It is unclear how long Richards had been in Florida or if she plans to return to California permanently.
Kim Richards Made an Appearance at the Hollywood Show
Yontef’s chat with Richards took place at The Hollywood Show, which was held on January 10 and 11 at the Los Angeles Marriott Burbank Hotel. Richards had a fan table set up during the event, which featured other classic TV and movie stars including Joan Van Ark, Donna Mills, Greg Evigan, and many more.
Richards was also seen in a video posted by hairstylist Daniel DiCriscio, who styled her hair and helped her during her fan appearance. The RHOBH alum appeared in good spirits in the video clip.
DiCriscio posted multiple Instagram photos of Richards greeting fans and signing autographs at her table. “The lines of fans she brought out were beyond amazing!!” DiCriscio wrote. “What a fab day! 🤩🤩🤩🤩”
