AXELLE/BAUER-GRIFFIN/MEGA
Mauricio Umansky dedicated his upcoming Dancing With the Stars performance to Kyle Richards amid the duo’s separation.
"Tonight's episode of @dancingwiththestars focuses on the ups and downs of life. It reminds us that even in our lowest moments, when we feel like everything is against us, we have the strength to rise up and overcome any obstacles. This message hits home for me as it reminds me of the challenging time in 1996 when Kyle and I got married and Alexia was born.
Before meeting Kyle, Richards was already a mother to her daughter Farrah, whom she shares with ex-husband Guraish Aldjufrie. The early days of our marriage were tough, especially due to financial struggles."
"We had Farrah and Alexia. I was 26 years old when I lost my job and ended up financially struggling," Umansky reminisced. "Kyle was my unwavering support, and together we overcame countless obstacles and achieved incredible milestones. It has been an extraordinary journey. Tonight's dance is a tribute to Kyle and my beloved family."
Umansky and Richards went on to joyfully embrace the arrival of their daughters Sophia, now 23, and Portia, now 15.
Umansky and Richards announced their separation in July, following 27 years of marriage. Although they have been living together, a source revealed that they have been separated for some time. The source also mentioned that the couple is on good terms as they navigate their next steps.
Later, Umansky and Richards confirmed that they had experienced a challenging year but denied any rumors of divorce. In a joint statement shared on Instagram, they expressed their deep love and respect for each other, emphasizing that no one was at fault. They acknowledged their public visibility but requested privacy to resolve their issues.
Mauricio Umansky and Emma Slater on “Dancing With the Stars” ABC/Christopher Willard
The preview for the upcoming thirteenth season of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills mainly focused on the marital problems of the couple. However, Umansky disclosed to Us earlier this month that he and Richards are actively attempting to resolve their issues.
"We're currently in the midst of addressing both our personal lives and our marriage, and we haven't given up," he said. "We're still working on it. It's a challenging process, especially given the public attention and the constant questions. The truth is, when a couple is going through what we are right now, what we need most is time."
Umansky expressed uncertainty about the future of his relationship with Richards, stating that they have no knowledge of what it holds. He emphasized that they are not keeping anything hidden and genuinely have no idea how it will unfold.
During the October 10 episode of DWTS, Umansky mentioned that the intense RHOBH trailer distracted him and caused him to make mistakes in his dance routine with partner Emma Slater.
"Shortly before the dance, the trailer for The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills was released, revealing details about my marriage. My children were present in the audience for [DWTS], but I did not discuss it with them," he disclosed to Slater, 34.
Following the live show, he informed his Instagram followers that he had "missed a significant portion of my dance, but I persevered thanks to the votes.
Umansky caused speculation earlier this week when TMZ obtained photos of him and Slater holding hands after having dinner together in Beverly Hills. Before their meal, the couple was also captured sharing a moment of laughter. Tune in to ABC and Disney+ on Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET to watch Dancing With the Stars.