Kyle Richards Gives Teddi Mellencamp Breakup Advice (Exclusive)

Kyle Richards’ door is always open for Teddi Mellencamp.

In an exclusive meeting with PEOPLE, The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills The 55-year-old leading lady weighed in on her former co-star’s divorce from Edwin Arroyave, sharing a piece of wisdom based on her personal experience with a public breakup.

“I talk to Teddi all the time, of course,” Richards says, noting that she was aware that Mellencamp, 43, had been going through a “difficult” time. “Of course it’s definitely sad… And unfortunately, I can offer some advice on how to get through this in public.”

The Halloween ends The actress says the most heartbreaking thing about breakups is how they affect the children.

“It doesn’t matter if the children are little or grown up,” she explains, before referencing her own split from husband Mauricio Umansky. “My girls had a lot of trouble with our separation, even though they are adults.”

When it comes to advice she might have for Mellencamp, Richards says, “She can count on me and be at my door any time, no matter what time it is.”

“She watched me go through this and she knows it,” she adds. “So I think you can just focus on your kids… you need to tune out the noise.”

The Bravolebrity recalled the headlines and “mistruths” that circulated following the news of her split from Umansky and encouraged Mellencamp to shut down any rumors.

On July 3, PEOPLE confirmed the duo’s decision to separate after 27 years of marriage. The two share daughters Alexia, Sophia, Portia and Farrah, whom Richards welcomed in a previous marriage.

“Kyle and Mauricio have been separated for some time but still live under the same roof,” a source close to the couple said at the time. “They remain amicable as they figure out what’s next for them and their family.”

As for Mellencamp, the reality star filed for divorce from Arroyave on November 1 after 13 years of marriage, just a day before she publicly announced the news on social media.

According to documents obtained by PEOPLE, Mellencamp cited irreconcilable differences as the reason for their split and marked October 20 as the date of separation. She sought primary legal and physical custody of her three children — Slate, 12, Cruz, 10, and Dove. 4 – as well as spousal support and legal fees from Arroyave.

A week after her request, Arroyave responded to her motion, asking the court to give the former couple joint custody and deny Mellencamp the ability to receive spousal support but grant him equal support.

He further referred to the marriage and stated: “The parties’ pre-nuptial agreement sets out the terms and conditions regarding the amount and duration of spousal support to be paid.”

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In her November 2 Instagram post, Mellencamp announced that she and Arroyave were separating, emphasizing the importance of putting her children first during the transition.

“After much care and consideration, I have made the difficult decision to file for divorce,” the reality star wrote in her statement. “My children are my first priority and I am ensuring that their privacy and well-being are respected in this new chapter.”

“I didn’t want to make a public statement,” she continued. “But in an effort to protect my family from inappropriate speculation and rumors, I have felt that openness, honesty and vulnerability are the best path forward.”