Kathy Hilton on Why She Won’t Be Full-Time on RHOBH, If She’s Spoken to Garcelle Since Her Exit as She Confirms Search for New Cast Members, Plus Says There’s “Always Hope” for Kyle & Mauricio Reconciliation

Kathy Hilton is sharing her thoughts on a potential full-time role on the upcoming 15th season of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.

While also admitting that she still has hope that Kyle Richards, 56, and Mauricio Umansky, 54, will reconcile their marriage, Kathy, 66, looked ahead to the new episodes, teased new housewives, and reflected on the unexpected and sudden exit of Garcelle Beauvais, 58.

“No, no, no,” Kathy told TooFab on May 21 after being asked about an upgraded role. “I want to be able to do this [motioning to the QVC event]. I love being able to spend the time that I do. And we have a great time. And for me, it’s fun.”

As she discussed her recurring “friend” role, Kathy admitted to hitting it off with Garcelle, who first joined the series in 2019 for its 10th season. She also revealed that they’ve kept in touch.

“I love and adore her. I called her obviously right when I walked off the set from the reunion and talked to her,” Kathy shared. “And then we ended up having dinner with a friend like two days later and I tried to not bring up too much because I just want her to know that she’s very loved and will be missed. And everybody was shocked.”

“I only came in at the tail end because I’m not a full-time housewife. So I’m just at the last three hours of the reunion. And I didn’t see anything building up. I had no idea. So I was like, ‘Oh my God,'” Kathy continued.

Although there have been rumors of a falling out between Garcelle and Sutton Stracke, 53, who’ve reportedly not spoken since the reunion, where Garcelle felt unsupported by her former friend, Kathy didn’t know any details about why exactly Garcelle left the show.

“I haven’t asked [what caused Garcelle to walk out] because I just don’t want to push. We all can read all these things. But I think it’s everybody just assuming this or that,” she noted.

As for who will fill the empty shoes left by Garcelle on season 15, Kathy said the actress is irreplaceable.

“Truthfully … I don’t think that any of the girls that have been on really can be replaced. Everybody’s unusual and leaves their mark on [RHOBH]. So… I don’t know. They’re talking with people and every day is a new day,” she added of casting, echoing recent comments shared by Jennifer Tilly, 66, in regard to new cast members.

Also speaking to TooFab, Kathy doubled down on a claim made at the season 14 reunion about Kyle and Mauricio. As fans will recall, Kathy told Andy Cohen, 56, that she wasn’t closing the door on a reunion between them.

“I don’t like change. I really don’t. I’m a creature of habit,” Kathy explained to the outlet. “He’s our family, the children, all of that. To me, they are still children, and everybody wants their mom and dad together, but you never know.”

“I think in life there’s always hope,” she declared.