Kyle Richards finally got the chance to address the Mauricio Umansky flirting chatter directly with Ashley Darby.
The two Housewives came face-to-face on “The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip: Roaring 20th,” where Kyle brought up Ashley’s much-discussed interaction with Mauricio during “The Real Housewives of Potomac” Season 10.
Ashley has repeatedly denied flirting with Mauricio, but Kyle admitted the situation still felt “weird” given her long history with her estranged husband. And when Ashley referred to Mauricio as Kyle’s “ex-husband,” the RHOBH star was quick to make one thing clear.
Kyle Richards Reminds Ashley Darby She’s Still Married to Mauricio
Kyle explained in a confessional that she couldn’t exactly ignore the conversation surrounding Ashley and Mauricio.
“Obviously, I know that Ashley said something about Mauricio when he was in Aspen,” Kyle said. “This is out there currently being talked about on the internet and on Instagram every time I open my phone. So obviously I’m going to say something to her. Do I love it? No. But it would be more weird to pretend like it’s not out there.”
Kyle also noted that she doesn’t know Ashley well and said getting involved with another Housewife’s ex isn’t something members of the Bravo circle should do.
Before Kyle could bring up the subject herself, Ashley told her there were “some misconceptions” about what happened with her “ex-husband.”
Kyle immediately corrected her.
“Technically, we’re still married,” Kyle said. “We’re not legally separated or anything, but we’re not together. But it’s still weird. Like, you know, we just had our 30-year anniversary.”
Kyle and Mauricio announced their separation in 2023 after nearly three decades of marriage, but neither has filed for divorce.
For Kyle, that history was exactly why the Ashley speculation hit differently.
“This is not like she was hitting on an ex-boyfriend,” Kyle said in a confessional. “This is, like, a very long marriage, children. Like, that’s weird. There are plenty of fish in the sea. Get out of the Beverly Hills sea.”
Ashley Darby Explains What Really Happened With Mauricio
Ashley maintained that there was no flirting between her and Mauricio.
The original speculation began after Mauricio crossed paths with Ashley and her RHOP castmates in Aspen. Stacey Rusch encouraged the interaction, while Ashley later insisted Mauricio “was not on my radar.”
Ashley told Kyle that she would never want to date someone within the Housewives universe and said she understood why Kyle would have boundaries when it comes to Mauricio.
“I’m telling you that that is a boundary that I do have,” Ashley told her. “Do I want anybody else on these shows dating my ex-husband? Absolutely not. So, I just want you to know, that’s just not who I am.”
Ashley had already publicly denied flirting with Mauricio before sitting down with Kyle. During a February 2026 appearance on “Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen,” she said, “I did not flirt with Mauricio,” and added, “He’s not even my type.”
Despite Kyle’s initial reservations, the RHUGT conversation didn’t turn into a new Housewives feud. Kyle ultimately accepted Ashley’s explanation, and the tension between them eased.
“You don’t want them pumping up their own egos any more than they already are,” Kyle joked after Ashley explained her side.
After months of the Mauricio and Ashley chatter playing out on television and online, Kyle finally heard Ashley’s version directly from her. And while Kyle didn’t hide that she found the entire situation uncomfortable, Ashley made her position equally clear: Mauricio was never someone she was looking to pursue.
