Kyle Cooke and estranged wife Amanda Batula made their first public appearance together since their drama with Summer House costar West Wilson erupted earlier this year.
The former couple — who announced their separation in January — posed together on the red carpet at the New York City premiere for their Summer House spinoff show, In the City, on Monday, May 18.
Footage obtained by Entertainment Tonight showed Amanda, 34, gesturing towards Kyle, 43, as they took photos for the press. Kyle then put his arm around his estranged wife’s waist before they both smiled for the cameras.
The Bravoverse melted down on March 31 when Amanda and West, 31, confirmed they were exploring a “connection” after repeatedly denying they were dating.
“We’ve seen the growing online speculation, so while this is still very new, we wanted to provide some clarity,” they wrote in a joint statement. “It was never our intention to purposely hide anything. Given the complicated relationship dynamics involved and the scrutiny that comes with being on a reality show, we needed a little space to process things privately before speaking on it.”
Amanda and West went on, “We’ve shown up for each other as friends over the years, through all the highs and lows, and what’s developed recently was the last thing either of us expected. Our connection grew out of a genuine, longstanding friendship, which made it especially important for us to approach this with care.”
“As our feelings evolved, we wanted to take time to understand exactly what we were feeling,” they concluded. “We also recognize that this has had an impact beyond just us and never wanted our actions to cause any hurt or be perceived as careless. We truly appreciate the understanding and respect as we navigate this.”
Kyle Cooke and Amanda Batula at “Summer House” season 10 premiere. Bryan Bedder/Bravo
Amanda and West have since been spotted together several times on romantic outings, including packing on the PDA for the Kiss Cam at a New York Yankees game in April. (Kyle reacted to the Kiss Cam video by admitting that he was “not prepared to see” his ex kissing her new beau so publicly.)
Numerous questions remain over the exact timeline of Amanda and West getting together. While Summer House fans should get answers during the upcoming season 10 reunion, West insisted there was no “overlap” with any other relationships when they got together. (West previously dated Summer House costar Ciara Miller.)
“There was no overlap,” he said on the April 20 episode of his and Sophie Cunningham’s “Show Me Something” podcast. “I know there’s a thousand different theories on the internet right now, but that is one thing that for sure did not happen. Everyone was single.”
West additionally clarified that he and Amanda realized things were “maybe a little bit serious” in February.
Amanda Batula, Kyle Cooke at “Summer House” season 9 reunion. Jocelyn Prescod/Bravo
Since that time, West’s ex Ciara — who is also Amanda’s former best friend — claimed that he may have also slept with married Real Housewives of New Jersey alum Jenn Fessler, though West and Jenn have both strenuously denied the allegation.
Meanwhile, Bravo viewers will get to see the drama surrounding Kyle and Amanda’s separation play out on the new series, In the City, which follows them and their friend group in New York City. The Summer House spinoff sees Amanda and Kyle reunite with Lindsay Hubbard, Daniella Olivera and Andrea Denver, as they are joined by pals Nick Barber, Katie DeLuca, Georgina Ferzli, Whitney Fransway, Eoin Heavey, Kenny Martin, Gavin Moseley, Yvonne Najor and Lexi Sundin.
In the City premieres on Bravo Tuesday, May 19, at 9 p.m. ET, following the Summer House season 10 finale at 8 p.m. ET.
