Kim Richards has played an integral role in almost every season of the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills since the franchise’s inception.
From seasons 1-5 Kim was a full-time “Housewife” but was demoted to a friend of the Housewives during seasons 6 and 7.
However, according to her sister, Kyle Richards, fans shouldn’t expect to see Kim, in any capacity, during the upcoming eighth season of RHOBH.
“You know, she’s got a lot of stuff going on in her personal life,” Kyle tells ET. “She, I think, didn’t want to do that … maybe it’s a little too intense, so she’s happy doing what she’s doing right now.”
So, what’s Kim’s doing these days?
“She’s with her grandchild almost every day,” Kyle told PEOPLE. “I see her with him and I’m like, ‘Okay you’re good. You’re so happy.’ ”
Meanwhile, Kim’s absence on RHOBH will be addressed during season 8, and according to Lisa Vanderpump, her void is felt within the group.
“I think [it’s] a shame, really,” LVP tells ET. “Because, always the relationship, when it’s a family member, it really raises the stakes, because you’re so invested in that. And I like Kim … she stepped out at certain times, she’s needed to step out, and it was a shame she didn’t come back this year because apparently, she’s doing, you know, quite well.”
As for Kyle, she admits it was weird filming without Kim but says she respects Kim’s decision to stay away from the cameras.
“It is weird,” Kyle says of filming without Kim this season. “You know, we started it together, and even though we fought, we’re sisters, and I love her. There’s nothing like having your sister there with you, even if you’re fighting — that’s your blood, so it’s like, it was kind of weird at first.”
“There were times I really wanted her to be there this season, but she opted not to,” Kyle adds.
Still, Kyle confesses that she won’t miss fighting with her sister on TV and admits that she considered quitting RHOBH because of the strain the show put on her relationship with Kim.
“That created so much anxiety for me,” she says. “Just a very difficult, emotional time and I just thought, ‘This is not what I thought the show was going to be.’ I thought it was gonna be all fun and games, I don’t want to do this, but you know, you find the good outweighs the bad, and a lot of good has come from doing the Housewives. I’m doing things that I would’ve never been given the opportunity if it wasn’t for the Housewives.”
I think it’s good that Kim is walking away from RHOBH. Kim’s sobriety will always be the only storyline she has on RHOBH, and she doesn’t need that in her life. Kim needs to focus on her family and staying sober.
Are you surprised Kim won’t be apart of season 8? Will you miss Kim on RHOBH? Was it time for Kim to walk away from RHOBH?
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