Kyle Richards Takes Up Tattooing in Season 13 of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills

Kyle Richards, the 54-year-old reality TV star, has surprised fans by adding “tattoo artist” to her diverse list of accomplishments. In the upcoming season 13 of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, Richards made her enduring friendship with country singer Morgan Wade a little more permanent by tattooing the first initial of Wade’s name on her arm.

In a sneak peek from the trailer, Richards and Wade visit a tattoo parlor, where a tattoo artist (or so it seems) inquires about how they met. With a playful tone, Wade jokingly responds, “She stalked me.” The footage then captures the RHOBH star skillfully using a tattoo gun to inscribe a cursive letter “K” on Wade’s already extensively inked arm.

As the camera switches to another scene, Dorit Kemsley expresses her surprise, asking Richards, “You put the first letter of your name on her body? What is going on, Kyle?” Richards, also known for her role in Halloween Ends, shrugs in response.

Apart from the tattoo debut, the trailer also hints at the shockwaves caused by Richards’ recent separation from Mauricio Umansky, which reverberate throughout the RHOBH cast. This development, combined with the new ink, has piqued the group’s interest, leading to questions about the nature of Richards and Wade’s relationship.

Richards and Wade initially connected through social media, forming a close friendship. In a heartfelt Instagram post in February 2022, Richards shared the story of their unusual but genuine bond, stating, “I stalked @morganwademusic on IG after listening to her music while driving solo from Utah to Colorado while making #housewivesofthenorthpole & today we met up in person for the 1st time. Some may think the most unlikely of friendships, but kinship knows no boundaries 💞.”

Since then, the two have spent considerable time together, engaging in joint workouts and enjoying vacations with fellow Housewives stars. Their friendship sparked rumors of a romantic involvement, which they playfully addressed in Wade’s music video for her single “Fall in Love with Me,” released in August 2023.

The music video features Richards as the love interest of the country singer and includes scenes of them sharing intimate moments, such as feeding each other fruit and sharing a bubble bath. While promoting the project in an Instagram video, Wade and Richards directly addressed the rumors surrounding their relationship.

Wade mentioned, “I’ve done several music videos, and every time someone is in it with me, they always assume we’re dating, or we’re, you know, something going on.” She added that people on the internet are “obsessed with” their friendship, leading them to decide to have some fun with the speculation.

Richards said, “The internet asked, and @kylerichards18 and I delivered,” along with a winking face emoji.

In a subsequent exclusive interview with PEOPLE later in August, Wade reaffirmed their friendship status and dispelled any dating rumors. She firmly stated, “We’re friends. The internet’s a dumb place.”

Despite their differing backgrounds, the two discovered numerous commonalities, with Richards hailing from Los Angeles and Wade from a small town in Virginia. Both abstain from drinking, and they share a passion for fitness. Their connection goes more profound, as Richards lost her mother to breast cancer in 2002, and Wade faced a double mastectomy due to a high-risk genetic predisposition to breast cancer. Wade expressed gratitude for Richards’ support and assistance connecting her with reputable surgeons during this challenging time.

Kyle Richards’ venture into tattoo artistry adds an unexpected twist to her multifaceted persona. As season 13 of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills unfolds, viewers will eagerly follow the evolving dynamics of her friendships, her separation from Umansky, and her enduring bond with Morgan Wade.