Summer House: Amanda Batula and West Wilson confirm relationship, full statement
Summer House stars Amanda Batula and West Wilson have confirmed their secret romance in a shock statement.
After weeks of speculation that something was going on between them, Batula, 34, and Wilson, 30, both took to their Instagram stories with the same statement to address the “growing online speculation.”
The news of their budding relationship comes just months after Batula and her estranged husband – fellow Summer House star – Kyle Cooke, 43, announced their separation in January after four years of marriage.
Watch the video above.
In the statement Batula and Wilson explained that while things are new, they wanted to “provide some clarity.”
“It was never our intention to purposely hide anything. Given the complicated relationship dynamics involved and the scrutiny that comes with being on a reality show, we needed a little space to process things privately before speaking on it,” read the statement.
“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.”
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The statement continued that their “connection grew out of a genuine, longstanding friendship”.
That connection is what made them want to “approach this with care” and take their time with announcing anything about their blossoming romance publicly.
“As our feelings evolved, we wanted to take time to understand exactly what we were feeling. We also recognise that this has had an impact beyond just us and never wanted our actions to cause any hurt or be perceived as careless,” the statement continued,
“We truly appreciate the understanding and respect as we navigate this.”
The statement has come as a shock to many, especially because Wilson shut down speculation that something was happening with Batula last week.
Wilson appeared on Watch What Happens Live on March 24 and remained tight lipped on where he stood with his co-star.
“She’s single now, and it’s happened with other people that she’s hung out with,” he said of the rumours.
“We’re just hanging out in New York. She’s single. I kinda gotta show her the streets, you know?
“If it’s not clear, that’s a very important person to me, and I, like, care about her a lot.”
Wilson also referred to her as a “friend” when he was pressed further about what was going on between them.
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But rumours of a budding romance between the pair have been swirling for weeks and reportedly stirring up some drama in their personal lives too.
Wilson previously dated another Summer House star, Ciara Miller, who is also Batula’s best friend.
Things have reportedly got very messy between Miller and Batula after rumours of her budding relationship with Wilson started to swirl according to Page Six. This was also before the couple officially confirmed their relationship.
In recent days more Summer House cast members have shared shady posts online, seemingly weighing in on the drama, and it appears most of them are siding with Miller.
Wilson, Batula, Cooke and Wilson are all current members of the Season 10 Summer House cast.
The Season 10 reunion has not been filmed yet, and the cast is likely to address this situation when it is.
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