Amanda Batula was as surprised as Bravo fans to see that she had the first seat at the Summer House Season 9 reunion.
“I was flabbergasted. One of the crew members was like, ‘Oh, Amanda, you’ll like your seat. I was like, ‘Great, I’m gonna be on the end,’” Amanda told StyleCaster while promoting her partnership with Marshalls. “I walked out, and I was first chair, and I was like, ‘Why?’ It feels like a lot of pressure. I knew people would have feelings about it. Not my cast, but the fans. I was like, ‘I don’t really want to sit here.’ But I was super grateful. I love Andy, but I was truly shocked.”
While Amanda wasn’t given an official reason as to why she had the first seat, she has her theories as to why she was given the honor. “I didn’t even ask. I just took what I was given, and I said, ‘I’m not gonna ask questions. Don’t revoke my privilege,’” she said. “I like to think that this was my breakout season in terms of separating myself from [husband] Kyle [Cooke]. Kyle normally always gets first chair. So for me, it was kind of like an F you to Kyle.”
And so what did Kyle think? “He was happy for me,” Amanda said. “He was like, ‘You deserve it. It’s about time. I was like, ‘Yeah, right, you’re just saying that because you have to.”
All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, StyleCaster may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.
Amanda Batula was as surprised as Bravo fans to see that she had the first seat at the Summer House Season 9 reunion.
“I was flabbergasted. One of the crew members was like, ‘Oh, Amanda, you’ll like your seat. I was like, ‘Great, I’m gonna be on the end,’” Amanda told StyleCaster while promoting her partnership with Marshalls. “I walked out, and I was first chair, and I was like, ‘Why?’ It feels like a lot of pressure. I knew people would have feelings about it. Not my cast, but the fans. I was like, ‘I don’t really want to sit here.’ But I was super grateful. I love Andy, but I was truly shocked.”
While Amanda wasn’t given an official reason as to why she had the first seat, she has her theories as to why she was given the honor. “I didn’t even ask. I just took what I was given, and I said, ‘I’m not gonna ask questions. Don’t revoke my privilege,’” she said. “I like to think that this was my breakout season in terms of separating myself from [husband] Kyle [Cooke]. Kyle normally always gets first chair. So for me, it was kind of like an F you to Kyle.”
And so what did Kyle think? “He was happy for me,” Amanda said. “He was like, ‘You deserve it. It’s about time. I was like, ‘Yeah, right, you’re just saying that because you have to.”
Nine seasons into Summer House, Amanda confirms that she and Kyle will return for Season 10, as long Bravo has them. “Kyle’s funeral will be on the show. You’re gonna have to drag him by his hair to get him off TV. We’re enjoying it. It’s working for us right now,” she said. “Until it’s not or until our time is done, I think we’ll definitely have to pivot in some way. We can’t be partying in the Hamptons forever.”
Who may be less certain to return is original cast member Lindsay Hubbard, who has been rumored to join The Real Housewives of New York City. While Amanda hasn’t discussed the rumors with Lindsay, she expressed she would be sad if Lindsay left Summer House.
“The idea of not spending so much time with Lindsay is very sad to me, so I don’t like to think about it at all truthfully,” she said. “It’s like out of sight of the mind in my head. Lindsay keeps anything close to the chest. So whether it’s true or not, I’m sure we’ll all find out when she’s ready. She’ll either drop hints that it’s happening or it’s not happening, and we’ll all be anticipating it.”
As for whether she and Kyle would ever interested in joining The Real Housewives, Amanda is unsure. “The housewives is so intense. I don’t know if I’m really cut out for it. I’m much softer. I like to play Switzerland a lot. My favorite person to fight with is my husband. I don’t really like to fight with the other women, so I don’t know if, if I would be someone people would want to watch on Housewives. But again, I’m happy to go wherever the wind it takes me,” she said.
After almost a decade on Summer House, Amanda also has advice for newer cast members Jesse Solomon and Lexi Wood, who have been engaging in a back-and-forth with each other in the press. “It’s a mess. They’re both new in this game, and sometimes silence is golden. They’re gonna learn that the hard way. I’m not picking sides. But I mean, I think Jesse is digging himself a hole every single day, every time he opens his mouth. You guys will just have to watch the reunion,” she said.
She’s also confident the two will never get back together. “The more press you do, the less likely you’re ever gonna reconcile,” she said.
As for what’s next, Amanda recently launched her own shoppable edit for Marshalls titled The Upgrade Shop. The edit, which was curated by Amanda herself and features her favorite clothing and accessories, is available on Marshalls.com. The edit also comes as the brand opens its own lounge—called The Upgrade Lounge—at John F. Kennedy International Airport. The lounge, which is open to travelers from May 21 to May 28 (just in time for Memorial Day Weekend), is free to visit and includes amenities such as eye masks and other travel essentials.
“Growing up in New Jersey, I was going to Marshalls all the time with my mom for everything. I remember going to the shoe department and trying on all the shoes and getting home decor and things like that for college. This felt like a full-circle moment, coming back to a place that meant so much to me,” she said.
She also explained the intention of The Upgrade Lounge. “Marshalls is all about accessibility and being able to offer premium experiences without that premium price tag,” she said. “Two out of three people want access to upgrades, but money seems to be an issue, so Marshalls put together a free lounge. You don’t need a first class ticket; you don’t need some fancy credit card or a membership. You can just enjoy the lounge and all the parks for free.”
Shop The Upgrade Shop curated by Amanda Batula on Marshalls.com.
