Dorit Kemsley and her husband, Paul “PK” Kemsley, confirmed they’ve separated with a joint statement on Instagram on Thursday.
Less than two months after celebrating their nine-year anniversary, the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills couple, who share two children, son Jagger, 10, and daughter Phoenix, 8, announced that they are taking time apart to reevaluate their relationship.
“We as a couple have been subject to a lot of speculation about our marriage. We have had our struggles over the last few years and continue to work through them as two people who love each other and share two amazing children together. To [safeguard] our deep friendship and maintain a harmonious environment for our children we have made the mutual and difficult decision to take some time apart and reevaluate our relationship while we prioritize our children,” they wrote on May 9.
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They added, “We appreciate your love and support while we continue to do the work necessary throughout this journey.”
“With love, Dorit and PK,” their statement concluded.
News of Dorit and PK’s confirmation comes just over a week after a source told the Daily Mail that Dorit would be demoted from her full-time role on RHOBH if she didn’t own up to her marital turmoil with PK.
“[Dorit] wants to be a [full-time] cast member on the show, but she does not want to explain that she is on a break with PK and he has temporarily moved out of the house,” their source said. “She really does not want to be seen as a single mother in Beverly Hills, because once you are labeled that you don’t get invited to as many parties, you lose friends, you are an insider.”
“She also does not want the world to know she failed at her marriage. And the kids don’t really know they are on a break either, they think papa has just taken some time away from the home for business. She worries about the kids,” the insider added.
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Shortly thereafter, however, a source denied the report to Radar Online, saying that Dorit “will not be downgraded” on the show and that fans “will see her [on] season [14],” and adding that PK had “not moved out.”
In October of last year, when separations first began swirling, Dorit and PK denied that they were still together and working on their marriage.
“We have had some challenging years, which we openly discuss in the upcoming season of RHOBH,” they said in a statement to In Touch Weekly magazine. “We remain committed to working through these issues as a united couple for our family. We have not separated nor are we planning to do so. Rather, we are focused on healing, making changes and doing the things that many couples have to do at some point in their marriage. We would be grateful for everyone’s understanding. We are doing what we can to focus on the best interests of our family, as opposed to spending our time contending with rumors and hearsay that are not true. Love, Dorit and PK.”
The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills season 14 is currently in production.