Mauricio Umansky has only positive things to say about Kyle Richards despite their separation.
“Kyle has been supportive,” the “Dancing With the Stars” contestant told People after his elimination Tuesday. “Despite the fact that she hasn’t been here, she’s had her own stuff going on and what have you, but everybody’s been super supportive.”
Richards cheered on Umansky for his first “DWTS” performance in September — just a few days before they each confirmed their split.
“I’ve been going through a lot,” he admitted Tuesday.
The Agency founder also raved about his “DWTS” partner, Emma Slater, after the two were photographed holding hands but denied they were dating.
“Emma has been a great friend, a great coach, a great confidant, and emotionally, it’s just been a great journey as well. So on every aspect, it’s been solid,” he shared.
Umansky, 53, revealed that he has transformed physically, too, on the “incredible journey,” even losing 20 pounds.
Shortly after photos surfaced of Umansky and Slater, 34, walking hand in hand, Richards, 54, deleted her social media posts supporting them on “DWTS” and insinuated the pair were more than friends during her “Watch What Happens Live” appearance on Oct. 25.
“That’s very hard to see … that hurt my feelings,” the “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” star confessed. “I don’t know if anything has happened yet, but obviously, there is something there.”
Umansky and Slater then took to social media to address the photos and explain that they were simply “recapping” an “emotional” week when he grabbed her hand.
“When we came out of dinner, we were recapping, and I reached out to grab Emma’s hand, and she grabbed my hand, and we, you know, walked to the cars just recapping and summarizing, and then the paparazzi caught that moment. It’s become a blown-out moment,” he said in an Instagram Story on Oct. 26.
He further clarified that they “are not dating.”
Pvnew confirmed that Umansky and Richards were separated in July, and while they initially went back and forth on their marital status, they finally confirmed the news in September.
Their marital woes have continued to play out on the new season of “RHOBH,” with Richards admitting she needed “space” from Umansky and them getting into bitter arguments.
The estranged couple tied the knot in 1996 and share three daughters: Alexia, 27, Sophia, 23, and Portia, 15. Richards also has daughter Farrah Aldjufrie, 35, from her first marriage.
“The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” airs Wednesdays at 8 p.m. ET on Bravo.
