Kyle Cooke says he doesn’t regret posing with estranged wife Amanda Batula at the “In the City” premiere, telling Bravo fans who called the reunion a “fake” implosion of marriage to “grow the f–k up.” The couple’s split, Batula’s confirmed romance with West Wi
Kyle Cooke knew the red carpet photo would land badly—he just didn’t expect the firestorm to start the moment the “In the City” premiere photos hit timelines.
On Monday in New York City. the Loverboy creator posed alongside his estranged wife. Amanda Batula. at the “In the City” premiere event. By early Tuesday morning. Cooke was already addressing the backlash in a heated Instagram Story. standing firm on a decision he clearly felt was the only thing that mattered in the moment.
“Yes, Amanda and I took a picture together,” Cooke, 43, said in the story. “You guys, yes… Amanda and I took a picture together,” he repeated as he pushed back against Bravo fans criticizing him for presenting a united front despite their split. He added that he was simply relieved she showed up.
“I was just happy that she showed up,” he said of his 34-year-old ex. Then he cut straight to what he said really happened behind the scenes: “She almost didn’t come to a show that she participated in,” Cooke continued. “Shoot me.”
He didn’t stop there. Cooke specifically responded to those calling his “implosion of a marriage … fake” after the reunion photo. “With all due respect, we’re all adults here and we all showed up to a premiere party,” he said. He explained that Batula wasn’t exactly eager in the run-up. and that he talked her into it: “And. yes. Amanda did not want to come. and I convinced her to come and we took a photo together.”.
Cooke ended his message with a blunt warning to critics: “grow the f–k up.”
The premiere itself brought the couple’s wider cast into focus as well—Cooke celebrated the new series Monday alongside Lindsay Hubbard and more co-stars. The spinoff was announced in September 2025, and production moved forward after “Summer House” wrapped last fall.
Behind the scenes, the reunion has never been simple. Batula and Cooke were photographed as an estranged couple in January 2025, and in November 2025 Page Six reported that they were living separately. Two months later, they confirmed their separation in a joint statement.
“After much reflection, we have mutually and amicably decided to part ways as a couple,” the Bravolebrities—who wed in September 2021—wrote at the time.
By March, Batula was rumored to have moved on with her then-BFF Ciara Miller’s ex-boyfriend West Wilson. At the end of that month, Batula and the 31-year-old sports journalist confirmed the relationship.
Cooke had his own reaction earlier on. In his first interview about the romance, he said he felt “really worried about” Batula, adding in April, “Amanda knows that what she did was wrong and is trying to come to terms with it,” and “She is not well.”
Wilson has also drawn attention for how he’s handled the public drama. Cooke later blasted Wilson for not having Batula’s back during the “brutal” Season 10 reunion. Even with the backlash, Wilson and Batula continue as a couple and have been photographed on multiple Manhattan date nights.
Cooke’s own reactions suggest he’s watching closely. He responded to their New York Yankees game PDA with a puke emoji.
For viewers, the public brawl is only part of what’s coming next. The fallout from Batula and Cooke’s bombshell romance—and the split itself—will be featured on “In the City.” The show premieres Tuesday at 9 p.m. ET, with new episodes dropping on Bravo Tuesdays at 9 p.m. ET.
Kyle Cooke Amanda Batula In the City premiere Summer House spinoff Bravo fans West Wilson Ciara Miller Loverboy