Parentdish
Beverly Hills Housewife Kyle Richards Talks Reality TV, Being a Child Actor and Paris Hilton
Kyle Richards is stirring up the drama on "Real Housewives of Beverly Hills."
First, the "Real Housewives" took Orange County. Then New York. Then it was on to New Jersey. And Atlanta, too. Now, naturally, they're in Beverly Hills, and, of course, the California cast is already ocean deep in drama.
In one memorable episode, Camille Grammer (Kelsey's soon to be ex-wife) and Kyle Richards went at it over an alleged comment Richards made about no one being interested in Camille unless Kelsey was around. Richards vehemently denied making the remark and the two had one of those only-on-Bravo catfights.
Richards, 41, who actually seems like the most down to earth of the "Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" sextet, was a child actress, as was her sister, fellow castmate Kim. She made her acting debut at the age of 4 in "Escape to Witch Mountain," playing a younger version of her sister.
Oh, and a third Richards sister, Kathy, happens to be Kathy Hilton, Paris's mother.
Richards has been married to real estate broker Mauricio Umansky for 15 years and is the mother to Farrah, 22, (from a brief early marriage), Alexia, 14, Sophia, 10 and Portia, 2. ParentDish recently caught up with the reality star to talk "Housewives," being a child actor and hanging with Paris Hilton.
ParentDish: Were you apprehensive about doing the show?
Kyle Richards: I did have some reservations, but at the end of the day I thought it would be fun. I was up for the adventure. I just hoped for the best.
PD: So, what's the deal between you and Camille?
KR: Oh, my gosh, where do I begin? (Laughs.) You know, I think we are just so completely different. We just can't seem to see eye to eye; we haven't been able to yet.
PD: Why do you think she said you made that comment?
KR: I believe it was simply a case of projecting. I really do. That's the only thing I can think of. It makes me feel bad; it's a very unfortunate situation.
PD: Bravo must love it.
KR: It's so funny. Going into this, I thought, oh, "I'm not going to be fighting with anybody." It's just so ironic that this issue between me and Camille started off camera and I kept thinking, "Oh, please, this is not happening." The cameras were there but they were down. We did address the issue on camera and every time we discussed it, it got worse. I don't know if they (Bravo) love it, but that's what happened.
PD: Of course they love it!
KR: Yeah, of course they love it, I'm sure, but it really is what happened.
PD: You're younger than your sister Kim, yet you seem like the older, more responsible sibling.
KR: I think it's just my personality. Ever since I was a little girl, my mom used to say I was the responsible one. I used to make my own bottles at 2 years old. I was making my own dentist appointments at 14.
PD: You were a child actor. What if your kids wanted to act?
KR: They never have and I've never encouraged it. If they would come to me, I would discourage it. But if it was a real passion I would support them. I think it depends on the child's character, but I just wouldn't want to instill insecurities that I think you get growing up in that business.
PD: There are huge age differences between your kids. Are you a different parent to some of them?
KR: It's funny, everyone says, "Oh, by the time you get to the fourth you're so relaxed." I have so much space between each of mine, sometimes it feels like the first one all over again. But at this point I do feel I'm a professional mom.
PD: Do you want more?
KR: We go back and forth about it. I'm 41 now. Especially, as I had my first at 19, it seems too late. But nowadays it's so different. People are having children later in life. I look at Portia and think maybe she should have a little sibling.
PD: So you're the original "Teen Mom."
KR: Well, I try not to think like that. (Laughs.) I was scared at first, but my mom was very supportive and said, "I'll be there, I'll help you with this baby and I think it's wonderful." I'm so glad I had a mom who was so loving.
PD: Were you married?
KR: I got married at 18. I got divorced when Farrah was 2. No big shock there! I was never too young to be a mom; I was a natural mom but not a natural wife!
PD: You must have grown up fast having a child so young.
KR: I think growing up as a child actor I grew up fast. I worked my whole life. I was like, "Oh I'm ready to get married at 18!" And then I was I was like, "This marriage stuff is very difficult."
PD: Do you hang out with Paris?
KR: I do a lot. We had dinner last night. It's very surreal how famous she is. People would talk about her everywhere -- where I got my nails done, at the market and I would think it's so strange that they're talking about my niece like this.