Dorit Kemsley and Kyle Richards Have Learned to 'Lean On' Each Other amid 'Bizarre' Time in Their Marriages (Exclusive)

Dorit Kemsley and Kyle Richards can count on each other no matter what. And now, after enduring rough periods in their respective marriages, they have sought each other's support more than ever before. 

"As far as Kyle and I going through issues in our marriage at the same time, which is rather bizarre, we have been very supportive to one another,” Kemsley tells PEOPLE, sharing how the two Real Housewives of Beverly Hills stars regularly “see one another” and “go out for dinner.”

“She's a very supportive friend and I'm a very supportive friend,” the Bravolebrity, 47, continues. “She lives close to me, so it's been nice to have her.”

Though the circumstances are “not nice,” Kemsley admits that it’s been great to have a “friend that can understand and that you can lean on and talk to. That's been really nice."

Last week, Kemsley and her husband Paul “PK” Kemsley shut down rumors they were separated and living in two different residences. 

The couple told PEOPLE in a statement that their marriage of eight years remains intact, though they've "had some challenging years," which they "openly discuss" in season 13 of the Bravo series.

"We remain committed to working through these issues as a united couple for our family," the Kemsleys said. "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."

The pair went on to ask for support from viewers. "We would be grateful for everyone’s understanding," their statement said. "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."

Their note was signed, "Love, Dorit and PK."

In the season 13 premiere of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, Kemsley confronted her costar Erika Girardi for claiming she and PK would be heading for "splitsville" at last year’s BravoCon. 

"To see you behave like that was deeply hurtful," she told Girardi. "What you said about PK and I was mean-spirited."

Apologizing and explaining why she did it, Girardi said that she was asked "a shady question" and then "gave a shady answer," adding that she was simply putting on a show.

"Dorit, is your marriage strong?" Girardi said, to which Dorit responded, "My marriage is very strong."

Aside from the Kemsleys own marital issues, Richards and husband Mauricio Umansky separated in July after 27 years of marriage. A source close to the pair told PEOPLE at the time that "Kyle and Mauricio have been separated for a while now but are still living under the same roof. They remain amicable as they figure out what’s next for them and their family."

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The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills airs Wednesdays at 8 p.m. ET on Bravo.