Andy Cohen is asking for a little grace when it comes to Amanda Batula and West Wilson’s romance scandal — even if the reality stars signed up for some scrutiny.
“I do think it’s worth reminding everybody, all the passionate fans of the show, that these are real people involved,” Cohen, 57, said during the Wednesday, April 1, episode of his SiriusXM show Radio Andy. “And so, these are real people involved.”
Cohen’s cohost, John Arthur Hill, agreed to some degree, but argued the public backlash is something that comes with reality TV.
“Listen, you sign up for a reality show, you sign up for the pile-on sometimes,” Hill explained. “I’m not saying anybody needs to be doxed or threatened or endangered.”
Cohen nodded his head, explaining, “That’s kinda what I’m [getting at]. OK. There’s a middle ground you can thread, but just know these are real people who are dealing with a lot.”
Cohen’s plea for mercy towards Amanda, 34, and West, 31, comes one day after the Summer House costars confirmed their platonic relationship evolved into something romantic.
“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,” the pair wrote in an Instagram Story statement on Tuesday, March 31. “Our connection grew out of a genuine, longstanding friendship, which made it especially important for us to approach this with care.”
The revelation sent shockwaves through the Bravo universe for multiple reasons. Amanda is newly single after announcing her split from estranged husband Kyle Cooke in January. (The pair were married four years.)
Throughout season 10 of Summer House, which is currently airing, Kyle, 43, and Amanda butted heads and got into heated arguments. West, meanwhile, tried to be a mediator for the now-exes, which fans have now pointed out as a possible tell that he had feelings for Amanda.
“Kyle always knew Amanda would eventually move on, but he never imagined it would be with a castmate or anyone within their own circle,” a source exclusively told Us Weekly on Tuesday. “The idea of her dating a castmate is something he’s really struggled to wrap his head around.”
Furthermore, West previously dated Amanda’s longtime best friend Ciara Miller. West and Ciara, 30, were instantly smitten in summer 2023 when he joined the Hamptons shared house.
Although they had a messy breakup before the holidays that year, the former flames have always had a visible connection. During season 10, both West and Ciara have admitted on camera that there are still feelings between them.
“Ciara is heartbroken by this,” an insider told Us of the relationship bombshell on Tuesday. “She and Amanda were very close, and she feels more betrayed than ever by both of them.”
Cohen, for his part, told his radio listeners on Wednesday that he “did not” know about the new Summer House couple before they went public, claiming rumors that he was keeping Amanda and West’s secret were untrue.
“I really feel for Ciara. I was surprised by the statement. I was surprised by what it said. I was surprised by what it didn’t say,” he said. “I have so many questions. The reunion is coming up and boy do I have a lot of questions.”
Summer House airs on Bravo Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET.
