ThroughThe Real Housewives of Beverly Hills’fourteen seasons, there’s been one constant –Kyle Richards. As the only OG housewife, Kyle has gotten particularly familiar with how things run on the show. However, recently it’s come to many viewers' attention thatshe has become so intertwined with production that she’s no longer just a cast member, she’s the one steering the ship. Kyle doesn’t follow the network’s orders anymore —she makes the orders. She has this stranglehold over the series where she always seems to know the agenda ahead of time, and somehow manages to dodge the tough questions while everyone else gets dragged in the mud.If the network doesn’t do something about this stranglehold, Kyle could end up killing the series.
Kyle Richards Dominates Reunions — but Is Never Held Accountable
Reunions are the most blaring example of Kyle’s strangehold over RHOBH. Without fail, she is always placed besideAndy Cohen, which is considered the spot where the housewives who created the most drama of that season are sat. However,she’s not there to get flamed, just to take in the spotlight. This is where Kyle’s superiority complex shows.Kyle always dominates the conversation, but is never really held accountable for her actions.Andy always tiptoes around her,asking questions that Kyle has almost rehearsed the answers to.
A notable example is howErika Jaynewas rung out at the reunion during her divorce versus how Kyle was treated.Erika was grilled on everything surrounding her divorce, from nasty rumors to legal scandals. Nothing was off limits — and that’s how most housewives are treated. However,Kyle seems to get a special pass. Andy seems to avoid the rumors surrounding her separation fromMauricio Umansky, including the real estate mogul being seen partying with much younger models. When Kyle begins to look the slightest bit uncomfortable, he backs off. Erika was not given the same special treatment.
While all the ladies are grilled on their mistakes throughout the season,Kyle always seems to skate by with rehearsed emotion and fake humility.She seems to choose between playing the role of the victim or the voice of reason, but never takes accountability as the villain she truly is.Reunions are all about real confrontations and unfiltered emotion, and Kyle’s curated narrative is ruining that authenticity.
The Other Housewives Tiptoe Around Kyle Richards
Kyle’s stranglehold on the series also shows when the other housewives tip toe around her. The only person I would say is somewhat holding her accountable this season isDorit Kemsley, but that comes after years of sucking up to her. Kyle did one of the lowest things a friend can do — break girl code. After sending texts to Dorit’s soon-to-be ex-husband,Paul “PK” Kemsley, and lying about the nature of those texts and their friendship, I think Dorit should’ve had a far stronger reaction. You just don’t talk to a best friend’s ex, even more so since the two aren’t talking. However,I think Dorit still has this feeling that her fate with the show lies in Kyle’s hands, and she can’t get on Kyle’s bad side or else she’ll be punished.
Erika andSutton Strackebow down before Kyle like no other. Although Erika is trying to play Switzerland, you’re able to tell that she will take any opportunity to throw in a comment in support of Kyle. Sutton may as well lick the ground Kyle walks on. She seeks constant validation from Kyle, and that really showed in Saint Lucia. During a group dinner, Kyle finally defended Sutton when it came to her feud with Dorit, and in her confessional Sutton said “Kyle stepping up for me … see I knew we were friends. I knew it… And now everybody does, too.”Sutton knows that sucking up to Kyle will get her in a good position on the show.
Meanwhile,Garcelle BeauvaisandBozoma Saint Johnhave called Kyle out,but are still careful not to go too far. Garcelle took an opportunity at the Season 14 reunion to expose Kyle, saying that something she told Garcelle off camera seemed like it was said to shut her up. Garcelle didn’t go as far as saying what Kyle said to her,most likely out of fear of the repercussions. Although both Garcelle and Boz have had the confidence to call Kyle out,neither have had the guts to truly expose her.You can visibly tell that all the cast mates are scared of Kyle, and are following her lead, which is really offputting and defeats the purpose ofrealityTV.
If Kyle’s strangehold overThe Real Housewives of Beverly Hillsis an indication of one thing, it’s that the series needs a major cast shakeup. Everyone needs to be on equal footing, and that means the network has to cut ties with Kyle. Between hogging the spotlight, curating narratives to fit her interests, and creating an environment where her cast mates have to tip toe around her, Kyle has become untouchable — and the favoritism is so thick, you can cut it with a knife.
The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills
