Teddi Mellencamp: Dorit Kemsley released ‘manipulative’ text from Kyle Richards to stay on ‘RHOBH’

Teddi Mellencamp believes Dorit Kemsley released a “manipulative” text from Kyle Richards to keep her spot on “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.” 

“This is the part that really bothers me about all of this,” Mellencamp, 42 — who once starred on “RHOBH” with bestie Richards, 55 — said on the Tuesday episode of her “Two Ts in a Pod” podcast with Tamra Judge.

“I think that was Dorit’s final Hail Mary of like, ‘You guys have to keep me on the show because here I am spilling something that you never should have spilled.’”

Mellencamp disagreed with Kemsley’s assertion that Richards sent the lengthy message in an attempt to “silence” her ahead of the Season 13 reunion. 

Teddi Mellencamp thinks “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” star Dorit Kemsley shared a private text from Kyle Richards in an effort to maintain her role on the reality show. teddimellencamp/Instagram

“I think that was Dorit’s final Hail Mary of like, ‘You guys have to keep me on the show…’” the Bravo alum said on her “Two Ts in a Pod” podcast. Chelsea Guglielmino/Bravo

“This is saying, ‘Listen, we have a lot of other s–t to talk about. Why do you need to drag our friendship through the mud right now?’” she said, offering her assessment of Richards’ text. 

Mellencamp also expressed doubt that Kemsley, 47, maintains solid friendships with most of her castmates. 

“I don’t think she has a good relationship with the majority of the women on the cast. I don’t think she has a storyline other than the PTSD, which she’s been talking about for three years now,” Mellencamp said, coldly referring to the 2021 armed burglary that Kemsley survived at her family’s home in Encino, Calif. 

“You start to think about what makes the show good. When there’s true relationships, true friendships and highs and lows. All we’ve seen so far this season of Dorit is Dorit mocking what Kyle is going through.”

For the upcoming “RHOBH” reunion, Kemsley shared what she considered to be a “manipulative” message from Richards. Todd Williamson/Bravo

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While cameras were up, Richards was navigating troubles in her marriage to now-estranged husband Mauricio Umansky. 

In her text to Kemsley, the “Halloween” actress explained that comments made in interviews only made matters worse behind closed doors as her marital crisis played out on the show and in the press. 

“Of course some interview comments hurt my feelings and created more issues for me but I am used to that and could get past it in time,” Richards wrote. 

In her text to Kemsley, the actress explained that comments made in interviews only made her marital issues with now-estranged husband Mauricio Umansky worse. Todd Williamson/Bravo

The pair announced their separation in the summer of 2023. mumansky18/Instagram

“I should have said something sooner but I honestly haven’t been strong enough. But relationships and YOU are more important to me than RHOBH.”

In a preview for Wednesday night’s reunion, Kemsley tells co-star Erika Jayne that she was unnerved by the message. 

“[It] creates so much anxiety for me,” she told the “Pretty Mess” singer, 52. 

Mellencamp declared that Kemsley’s choice to share the text with production is proof that she is “a friend to no one.” 

Kemsley felt this was Richards’ preemptive attempt to “silence” her on the matter at the reunion. Greg Doherty/Bravo

“At what point is that drawing the line? It is one thing to say, ‘Listen, Kyle sent me a text yesterday where she said she didn’t want to argue with me.’ But to go there and show a private message I really think is crossing the line,” said the former Bravolebrity, who departed “RHOBH” after 2020’s Season 10.

“Especially when I have the text messages that she has sent to our mutual friends saying, ‘I really hope Kyle knows that I will put her above the show any day. If she ever needs anything, I am there to support her. I love her. I care about her.’”

Mellencamp further lambasted Kemsley for her decision to air Richards’ outreach, though — as seen season after season across the juggernaut franchise — it is quite common for “Housewives” to hand texts over to production. 

Mellencamp, for her part, made it clear that she doesn’t agree with Kemsley’s assessment of Richards’ message. Getty Images for Wheelhouse

“I have loved Dorit in the past but I have said there is something about her that solely cares about being on that TV show. That is her entire identity,” she opined.

“I feel disgusted that she would do that to a friend.”

“The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” airs Wednesdays at 8 p.m. ET on Bravo.