Lara Sophia 
Reality TV veteran Mauricio Umansky spotted holding hands with his DWTS partner, Emma Slater, amid his separation from his wife, Kyle Richards.
TMZ caught Mauricio Umansky getting cozy with his Dancing With the Stars partner, Emma Slater, in Beverly Hills.
The two were photographed holding hands after exiting a restaurant on Sunday evening following a one-on-one dinner. There were no other signs of PDA between Mauricio Umansky and Emma, but they were coming off very couple-y.
Mauricio Umansky and Emma have been hanging out a lot lately – even outside their DWTS rehearsals. They are very chummy and even dressed up for a Halloween event together last week.
A source tells TMZ that Mauricio Umansky and Emma’s dinner was strictly business as they were discussing their next performance for DWTS. The theme for this week’s performance is the “most important year of your life.”
The Buying Beverly Hills star reportedly opened up to Emma about how 1996 was the most pivotal year in his life. 1996 is the year Mauricio Umansky married Kyle Richards, “he was fired from the fashion industry, and he pivoted to real estate.”
As a result, Mauricio and Emma have become much more connected. However, it is unclear if their connection could blossom into romance.
This all comes amid Mauricio Umansky’s ongoing separation from his wife, Kyle Richards.
In July, rumors about Kyle and Mauricio’s marriage began to pop up on social media. The gossip was further fueled when PEOPLE reported that Kyle and Mauricio were separating after 27 years of marriage.
Initally, Kyle and Mauricio both denied being separated in a joint statement on social media.
“In regards to the news that came out about us today… Any claims regarding divorcing are untrue,” the joint statement read. “However, yes, we have had a rough year. The most challenging one of our marriage. But we both love and respect each other tremendously.”
The statement continued, “There has been no wrongdoing on anyone’s part. Although we are in the public eye, we ask to be able to work through our issues privately. While it may be entertaining to speculate, please do not create false stories to fit a further salacious narrative.”
Then, on Friday, September 29, Mauricio confirmed to TMZ that he and Kyle were separated. He also insisted that they are NOT considering divorce at this time.
“We are currently separated, we are not talking about divorce, and we’re trying to deal with this stuff internally with ourselves privately. Divorce is not part of our conversation right now. That is not part of what we’re dealing with. We’re dealing with a separation.”
The RHOBH couple wed in 1996. They share daughters Alexia, 27, Sophia, 23, and Portia, 15. Mauricio is also stepfather to Kyle’s daughter Farrah Aldjufrie, 34, from her first marriage to Guraish Aldjufrie.
The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills season 13 premieres Oct. 25 at 8 p.m. ET on Bravo.
