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Kyle Richards Reflects on the Loss of Her Best Friend: “I Never Imagined Something Like This Could Happen”
The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills cast member shared how she's navigating through the sudden passing of her best friend.
Kyle Richards is opening up about the loss of her best friend, Lorene Shea, who passed away last year. On Season 13, Episode 8 of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, which aired on December 13, the actress sat down for a candid discussion with her therapist/life coach, where she reflected on the heartbreaking experience of grieving the loss of her friend.
Get all the details on Kyle’s emotional conversation by reading below.
Kyle Richards reflects on the loss of her best friend, Lorene Shea
During the episode, Kyle immediately got emotional before starting her chat with her therapist, Jamie. “Shoot, I forgot to bring Kleenex in here,” Kyle shakily said while holding back her tears.
Moments later, Kyle began to confide in her counterpart about the sudden passing of her loved one after building up the strength to say it out loud. “My very best friend in my whole life – I can’t even say the word,” she said, adding, “She took her life on May 1.”
In a confessional, Kyle explained her tight-knit bond with her late BFF. “Lorene was my other half. We always said we were separated at birth,” Kyle joked about their dynamics. “Only she was six feet tall and blonde.”
At this point, the show cut to a throwback scene of Kyle introducing Lorene to a few RHOBH alums from Season 6.
Kyle went on to explain how she and Lorene met and mentioned how she’s played a significant role in her life since they first crossed paths. “I met Lorene in the second grade… She’s definitely the most important person in my life outside of my family, who knows more about me than anybody else, including my husband,” Kyle admitted.
Kyle Richards shares how she's coping with the loss of her best friend
Continuing to process the loss of Lorene, Kyle told her therapist that the unfortunate event was “frustrating” because she “never imagined something like this could happen.”
After expressing her sorrow for Lorene, Kyle’s therapist reassured her that her feelings were valid and she needed a “safe place” to grieve. “What do you need to feel safe?” Jamie quipped.
As for Kyle’s response? She told her therapist, “I’m doing all the things, and just trying to surround myself around people that I love and love me and support me and only want the best for me… and it’s been working.”
Kyle’s emotional discussion of Lorene continued over to The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills After Show (clip above), where she shared more insight on how her friend’s death gave her a new outlook on life.
“You know I have to do what makes me happy and take care of myself,” Kyle explained in the clip. “And not worry about disappointing people. I don’t want to waste time worrying about things that are not important anymore.”
She continued: “I don’t want to be told what to do. I want to surround myself with people that love me and want the best for me.”
Kyle Richards’ Celebration of Life Event
On Season 13, Episode 11, which aired on January 10, Kyle honored her late best friend by hosting a celebration of life event. For the occasion, Kyle partnered with the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) to promote mental health awareness.
During the tribute, Kyle made a heartfelt speech dedicated to Lorene. “We’re here tonight to honor my best friend, Lorene Shea. It is the one-year anniversary of her passing, Kyle said.
She continued: “Suicide is such a difficult topic because no one wants to talk about it, and I want people to know who are struggling that they’re resources that they can reach out to, and I can guarantee you every single person in this room has struggled themself or known someone that has struggled or lost a loved one."
After Kyle’s speech, country singer Morgan Wade took the stage to perform her song, “Take Me Away.”
Originally published Dec 13, 2023.
