Kyle Richards is the only original cast member remaining on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. She has been a central figure on the show since its premiere. However, in the past few seasons, Kyle has faced a difficult period in her life.
She is going through a separation from her longtime husband, Mauricio Umansky, and has also been involved in rumors regarding her relationship status with her friend, Morgan Wade.
Despite the emotional challenges she has been facing, Kyle has continued to appear on the show, though she has been forced to confront uncomfortable questions about her personal life from her co-stars and friends. Eventually, these pressures led her to make the tough decision to take a break from filming.
In a candid interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Kyle opened up about her years on the show and explained that the recent challenges had pushed her to a breaking point. She had reached a place where she felt she needed a break.
During her time off, Kyle also shared how she struggled with depression for the first time in her life. This was a revelation for her, as she had always dealt with anxiety, but never depression. As she faces through these tough emotions, she realized she needed to step back from the public eye to focus on her mental health.
Kyle Richards’ Journey on RHOBH
Since The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills began, Kyle Richards has been one of its most consistent and recognizable cast members. She has seen many of her co-stars come and go, but Kyle has remained a constant presence.
Her dedication to the show has made her one of the longest-running housewives in the history of Bravo, alongside Real Housewives of Atlanta star Kandi Burruss, who stepped away from the show earlier.
Throughout her time on RHOBH, Kyle has experienced many changes in her personal life, many of which have been documented on camera. From family milestones to professional accomplishments, viewers have watched as she faces various ups and downs.
However, the most challenging season for Kyle came during the separation from her husband, Mauricio Umansky. Their relationship had been a staple on the show, and fans had watched their love story unfold for years. But when the news of their separation came to light, it added a new layer of complexity to Kyle’s story.
As she dealt with her struggles, Kyle also found herself dealing with public scrutiny. Not only was she facing questions from fans and media outlets, but her co-stars also began asking probing questions about her separation. Season 14 of the show marked a turning point for Kyle, as the constant questioning and pressure took a toll on her mental well-being.
Kyle Richards Takes a Break from Filming
Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, Kyle explained how the stress of filming the show while going through a difficult personal time pushed her to take a break. “I just didn’t have it in me anymore,” she said. “I was at a point where I was so depressed, frankly. I’m not someone who gets depressed.
I’ve had anxiety my entire life but never depression.” This was a significant admission for Kyle, as she has always been known for her resilience and ability to handle the pressures of being in the public eye. For the first time, Kyle was forced to confront her mental health in a way she had never experienced before.
She explained that during this time, she felt overwhelmed by the constant attention and scrutiny. “I felt like I was struggling with depression and I expressed that,” she shared.
“And I just felt like I could not go into scenarios all the time and just have everyone coming at me.” It was clear that the emotional toll of dealing with her separation and the constant questions from her co-stars had left Kyle feeling drained.
After taking some time off from filming, Kyle reflected on how close she came to quitting the show altogether. “It was the closest I’ve ever gotten to not coming back to the show,” she said.
“The show is a lot of pressure as it is, and I had so much going on in my personal life that was difficult and painful.” It was a moment of reckoning for Kyle, and for a time, she seriously considered walking away from the show she had been a part of for so long.
Why Kyle Richards Chose to Return
After taking a week off from filming to reflect and focus on her mental health, Kyle decided to return to the show. One of the factors that influenced her decision was the realization that she was now experiencing “empty nest syndrome.”
With most of her daughters now living independently, Kyle found herself at home alone more often than she was used to. The house felt empty without her children, and she recognized that she needed something to keep her occupied.
During her time off, Kyle also came to terms with her feelings of depression. She had always dealt with anxiety, but this was the first time she had struggled with depression. “I was at a point where I was so depressed, frankly. I’m not someone who gets depressed,” she said.
“I’ve had anxiety my entire life but never depression, and I really felt like I was struggling with depression and I expressed that.” It was a challenging time for Kyle, but she came to understand that she needed to prioritize her mental health and take the necessary steps to heal.
Ultimately, Kyle chose to return to filming because she felt that keeping busy would help her cope with the changes in her life. “I realized I needed to get back to being busy,” she explained.
“The show was a good distraction from the emptiness I felt at home.” This decision to return to the show allowed her to find a balance between dealing with her challenges and maintaining her role as a public figure.
Kyle Richards’ Legacy on RHOBH
Kyle Richards’ decision to take a break from The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills and address her mental health challenges has sparked conversation among fans and fellow cast members.
It is a reminder of the pressures that come with being in the public eye and the importance of prioritizing one’s well-being. Kyle’s vulnerability in sharing her struggles with depression has also resonated with many viewers who admire her honesty.
While it is hard to imagine The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills without Kyle Richards, the possibility of her stepping away from the show is not out of the question.
As she continues to face her personal and professional life, it will be interesting to see how she balances her role on the show with her need for personal space and healing.
The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills airs weekly on Bravo and is available for streaming on Peacock. For now, Kyle Richards remains a central figure in the franchise, but how long she stays on the show will depend on how she continues to feel about the pressure it places on her.
