Celebrity Celebrity Relationships Celebrity Breakups Kyle Richards Shuts Down 'Idiots' Who Think She's Faking Marital Issues: 'I'm Not Looking to Be More Relevant' "I'm going to pretend that I'm separated and torture my children so that people tune in? I mean, it's just the dumbest thing I've ever heard," the 'RHOBH' star said By Dory Jackson Dory Jackson Dory Jackson is a Staff Editor for PEOPLE's TV News team. Upon joining the brand in March 2021, she has had the opportunity to interview a long list of celebrities, from Kate Hudson to Pierce Brosnan to Billy Porter. She has also helped recap popular TV shows like 'The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills,' 'Sister Wives' and 'Vanderpump Rules.' The New York-based Maryland native graduated from Randolph-Macon College in May 2016 with a focus on Communication Studies and Journalism. She came to PEOPLE in March 2021 after working at a number of major news companies, including Newsweek and Us Weekly. People Editorial Guidelines Published on November 14, 2023 03:02PM EST Kyle Richards is setting the record straight once and for all. During an appearance on the newly-launched Bravo's Hot Mic podcast, hosted by network exec Alex Baskin, The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star was asked about her thoughts surrounding the claim she is "fabricating" the issues in her marriage to Mauricio Umansky for "relevance." "What human being would create a story like this for? No offense, Alex. I love you and everybody with the show. But who would do that for ratings? Put their family through this," Richards, 53, said. "That is one of the dumbest things I've maybe ever heard in these 13 years. I'm going to pretend that I'm separated and torture my children so that people tune in? I mean, it's just the dumbest thing I've ever heard." (L-R) Kyle Richards and Mauricio Umansky are pictured at the 2019 E! People's Choice Awards held at the Barker Hangar on November 10, 2019. Todd Williamson/E! Entertainment/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images Kyle Richards Breaks Down While Discussing Separation at RHOBH BravoCon Panel: 'This Is Not My Fairy Tale' Pointing out, again, how she's already been on the show for 13 years, the Halloween Ends star said it all goes back to people's "misconception." "I care about being relevant to my friends and family. Yes, I'm on television but I'm good," she explained. "I'm not looking to be more relevant. I'm good. And I would never put my family through this, ever, for ... I almost said it was a dumb TV show, sorry!" (L-R) Mauricio Umansky, Kyle Richards, Farrah Brittany, Alexia Umansky and Sophia Umansky are pictured at Wheelhouse's Spoke Studios and the Agency's 'Buying Beverly Hills' premiere party. Tommaso Boddi/Getty Images Seeing such speculation is both "so annoying" and "so frustrating" for Richards, who said the fabrication allegations "couldn't be any different than who I am." "I also hear a lot of things online that, you know, 'Oh, well, Kyle and Mauricio, they have an open marriage,'" she recalled. "The things that they say, that 'Kyle is only with him for the money.' He had no money when I married him, you idiots!" she added. "He didn't have any money! 'Oh, she just stays there and puts up with all this so that she can keep spending his money.' First of all, it's our money that he didn't have before." Kyle Richards and Mauricio Umansky's Relationship Timeline PEOPLE confirmed Richards' separation from Umansky, 53, in July. At the time, a source said the longtime pair — who wed in 1996 — 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." Richards and Umansky later addressed the news by clarifying that "any claims regarding us divorcing are untrue." However, they noted how they "have had a rough year," calling it the "most challenging for our marriage." (L-R) Kyle Richards and Mauricio Umansky are pictured at the Homeless Not Toothless Hollywood Gala at The Beverly Hilton on April 22, 2023 in Beverly Hills, California. Jesse Grant/Getty Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Recently, while attending BravoCon 2023, Richards spoke to PEOPLE about focusing on her strength amid the difficult period in her life. "When I feel good and my hair looks good, I feel unbreakable," she said while promoting her Nexxus Unbreakable Care partnership. "And going through … [what] I'm going through now, for me right now, everything is about being strong and feeling strong physically, mentally, spiritually. So I'm doing everything I can in my power to make sure that I am unbreakable."