Paige DeSorbo addressed whether Amanda Batula and Kyle Cooke would reconcile one month before Batula confirmed her romance with West Wilson.
“I’m just so proud of her. I’ve always wanted her to just be happy. And I think at the end of the day, they both want that, and I think they both deserve that, so I’m happy for them,” DeSorbo, 33, exclusively told Us Weekly on February 26 about Batula and Cooke’s decision to separate.
The former Summer House star also spoke about the possibility of the two finding their way back to each other.
“I don’t know as much information about that. Obviously, I think they’re both keeping it very amicable, and I think that’s very impressive of both of them,” DeSorbo said. “I think that they have a great friendship, so I hope they can maintain that.”
Batula, 34, and Cooke, 43, announced their separation in January after four years of marriage.
“After much reflection, we have mutually and amicably decided to part ways as a couple,” they wrote in an Instagram statement at the time. “We share this with a heavy heart and kindly ask for your grace and support while we focus on our personal growth and healing.”
They continued, “It feels ironic to ask for privacy during this time. since we’ve always tried to be open and honest about our relationship, but your kindness and respect will go a long way as we try to navigate our next chapter.”
On Tuesday, March 31, Batula and Wilson, 31, confirmed their romance rumors after weeks of speculation. Wilson previously dated Summer House star Ciara Miller, who’s also besties with Batula and DeSorbo.
“We’ve seen the growing online speculation, so while this is still very new, we wanted to provide some clarity,” Batula and Wilson’s Instagram statement read. “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.”
“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,” they continued. “Our connection grew out of a genuine, longstanding friendship, which made it especially important for us to approach this with care.”
Cooke broke his silence about Batula and Wilson’s relationship hours later, revealing his main concern was his estranged wife’s mental health.
“I’m actually really worried about Amanda, if I’m being honest,” Cooke told Adam Glyn in a TikTok video uploaded on Wednesday, April 1.
“I talked to her last night and I understand people have all sorts of opinions and I’m not justifying any behavior, but, like, from what I’m seeing, she’s getting cyberbullied,” he explained. “I just feel bad. Amanda knows that what she did was wrong and she’s trying to come to terms with it, but she is not [doing] well.”
As far as where his relationship with Wilson stands, Cooke said he’s trying to understand the timeline.
“It’s a mental mind-f*** for me,” the reality star shared, revealing that Wilson sent him a “half-assed text message” after the romance news broke.
Cooke had previously downplayed the rumors during a March appearance on Andy Cohen’s Watch What Happens Live, noting that while he’d be okay if Batula and Wilson were dating, he thought Miller, 30, might have a different view.
“I’d probably be the last person people would be worried about. I think Ciara would probably have something to say,” Cooke said at the time. “If it made Amanda happy, I think I would have to vote yay.”
