Summer House star Ciara Miller unfollowed costars West Wilson and Amanda Batula on Instagram shortly after the pair confirmed their romantic relationship.
What did West Wilson and Amanda Batula say in their joint statement?
Miller, 30, who previously dated Wilson, 31, and was best friends with Batula, 34, unfollowed them after the couple shared a joint statement about their new relationship on their Instagram Stories, according to Cosmopolitan and Page Six.
“We’ve seen the growing online speculation, so while this is still very new, we 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 need a little space to process things privately before speaking on it.”
The statement continued, “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. Our connection grew out of a genuine, long-standing friendship, which made it especially important for us to approach this with care.
“As our feelings evolved, we wanted to take time to understand exactly what we were feeling. We also recognize that this has had an impact beyond just us and never wanted our actions to cause any hurt or be perceived as careless. We truly appreciate the understanding and respect as we navigate this.”
They concluded, “We appreciate the support as we navigate this.”
Kyle Cooke on the Wilson-Batula dating rumors: ‘It would certainly catch me by surprise’
After the news, neither Miller nor Batula’s estranged ex-husband, Kyle Cooke, commented. Days before the couple went public, Cooke responded to an Instagram post with a raised hand and tearful-eye emoji after a fan noted that no one had considered his feelings amid the Wilson and Batula rumors, per Cosmopolitan.
Earlier this month, Cooke appeared on an episode of Watch What Happens Live and spoke out about the dating rumors involving Wilson and Batula. He called it “kinda shocking” and “outrageous” and said he didn’t “think there’s any merit to” the claims, per People.
“It would certainly catch me by surprise and feel a little reckless,” he said. “I think Ciara would probably have something to say.”
“But if it made Amanda happy, I think I just would have to vote yay,” he added.
Batula and Cooke split in January after four years of marriage, Page Six reported.
Did West Wilson confirm his involvement with Amanda Batula?
The situation between Miller, Wilson and Batula seems awkward and messy.
Fans speculated that Wilson and Batula were secretly hooking up since March 5 after a source told Deuxmoi the costars were spotted being “openly flirty, allegedly even holding hands under the table” at an event in New York City, per Page Six.
Wilson fueled the dating rumors even more following his appearance on Watch What Happens Live on March 24, after he couldn’t deny that he and Batula had been seeing each other.
“She’s single now, and it’s happened with other people that she’s hung out with,” he said of the rumors, per Page Six. “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,” he added, calling Batula “a friend” when asked further about the situation.
Several Summer House stars, including Carl Radke, Lindsay Hubbard and KJ Dillard, took to Instagram over the weekend to share their thoughts on the Wilson-Batula rumors. According to the outcome, everyone was on Miller’s side, Page Six reported.