Kyle Richards is no stranger to the spotlight, having been a fixture on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills since its debut. However, the 56-year-old reality star recently admitted that her future with the franchise is uncertain, especially after what has been a particularly challenging Season 14. At a recent charity event, Kyle Richards opened up about the emotional toll of this past season and the decision she faces about returning for Season 15.
“I need to make that decision,” Richards shared with PEOPLE. “The clock is ticking.” She went on to explain that she regularly debates her return after each season, sometimes even mid-season. “Yes, and sometimes mid-season. Of course. I mean, it’s very difficult for your life [to be] out there and have the world weighing in on analyzing things and people not knowing you know the full scope of full details,” she confessed. “And judging you without being able to explain everything, it’s very difficult.”
Kyle Richards’ transparency about the pressure of being constantly scrutinized by the public is something many fans can relate to. “So it depends on what year and what season, whether I can handle it or not,” she admitted. Despite these challenges, Richards has been a loyal cast member from the very beginning, never missing a season since RHOBH’s inception.
Season 14 proved to be especially tough for the actress and producer, as she navigated a highly publicized split from her estranged husband, Mauricio Umansky. Their divorce added significant emotional strain, making it difficult for Richards to watch the show. “Honestly, I didn’t watch, which I don’t like saying that, because I do like to watch the show, even if — I only watch it once, normally,” Richards explained. “But I like to watch even if it’s difficult. I like to watch the good end of that, but this season, it was just too challenging for me.”
Her emotional journey this past season was a difficult one to relive on screen, with the personal toll influencing her decision to skip the reunion episode. “What was going on in my personal life, so I just didn’t watch the reunion,” she revealed. “I want to go back now. I see so many clips on Instagram anyway, but you feel like you see the show. But now I want to go back, now that I’m feeling a little better.”
Another topic that dominated Season 14 was Richards’ relationship with country music artist Morgan Wade. Speculation around their connection sparked a flurry of rumors, but Richards has remained guarded about their friendship. During the reunion, she addressed why she decided to keep the nature of her relationship with Wade private. “I feel guilty for bringing [Morgan] into the spotlight,” Richards confessed. “The attention has caused me anxiety, and I don’t want to be a part of that.”
The issue of public speculation only grew when Richards appeared in Wade’s music video for the song Fall in Love with Me, where the two women portrayed lovers. In the video, they shared intimate moments, including feeding each other fruit and taking bubble baths. Host Andy Cohen pointed out that this video seemed to add fuel to the fire of speculation, asking Richards if it contributed to the ongoing conversation surrounding their bond. Richards explained that despite Wade’s public persona as a country artist, the attention surrounding her relationship with the musician felt entirely different from the public scrutiny Wade typically receives.
“I do just want to point out, putting out a music video that is like the two of you as lovers,” Cohen said. “It contributed so mightily to a conversation that was already a runaway train.” He added, “At some point, you can’t have your cake and eat it too.”
Despite the tension surrounding her personal life, Richards remains a beloved figure on RHOBH. Whether or not she returns for another season, one thing is clear: her journey has been far from easy, and she’s not yet ready to make any final decisions. As the clock ticks down on Season 15, Kyle Richards’ future on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills remains uncertain, leaving fans wondering what comes next for the reality star.
