Summer House’s Kyle Cooke is sharing an update on estranged wife Amanda Batula’s mental health amid backlash over her recent romance with costar West Wilson.
“I know people are like, ‘Why are you sticking up for her? Why are you defending her?’ I’m not. I’m just trying to be there for her,” Kyle, 43, said on the Tuesday, May 19, episode of Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen. “No matter what, I still care for her. There’s still a lot of love. I spent literally 10 years [with her]. I’m not excusing her behavior.”
“Even when the writing was on the wall, there’s still love,” added Kyle, who separated from Amanda, 34, in January after a decade together, including four years of marriage.
In March, Amanda shockingly revealed her burgeoning relationship with West, 31, who previously dated her best friend on Summer House, Ciara Miller. The news caused a stir through the Summer House cast and Bravo fans.
Kyle’s Summer House and In the City costar Lindsay Hubbard, who was also a guest on Tuesday’s WWHL, weighed in on Kyle’s support of his ex.
“This is why I cried so much. I started realizing how much Kyle, even at this reunion … Kyle loves this girl so f***ing much. He loves her. It was so evident,” Lindsay, 39, said, referring to the tense Summer House season 10 reunion that filmed last month and saw the cast challenge Amanda and West about their relationship.
On Monday, May 18, Kyle and Amanda appeared to put on a united front at the New York City premiere of the Summer House spinoff In the City. However, after receiving criticism for posing for photos with his estranged wife, Kyle came to Amanda’s defense.
“You guys, yes, Amanda and I took a picture together,” Kyle said in a video posted to his Instagram Stories early Tuesday, May 19.
He continued, “I was just happy that she showed up. She almost didn’t come to a show that she participated in. Shoot me. Shoot me. But don’t call my life, my relationship, my marriage, and my implosion of a marriage, fake.”
“With all due respect, we’re all adults here and we all showed up to a premiere party,” Kyle said. “And, yes, Amanda did not want to come, and I convinced her to come and we took a photo together. Grow the f*** up.”
Kyle and Amanda announced their separation in a joint statement in January, which read, “After much reflection, we have mutually and amicably decided to part ways as a couple. We share this with a heavy heart and kindly ask for your grace and support while we focus on our personal growth and healing.”
“It feels ironic to ask for privacy during this time. since we’ve always tried to be open and honest about our relationship, but your kindness and respect will go a long way as we try to navigate our next chapter,” they added.
