Amanda Batula does not understand why Bravo fans are comparing her to Ariana Madix.
“Everyone wants this big Ariana Madix moment for women who go through a breakup, but her situation was so different and so awful,” Batula, 34, said in an interview with Marie Claire published on Tuesday, March 3. “There’s really no comparison.”
Batula clarified that she and estranged husband Kyle Cooke “are good” despite their split after four years of marriage. Madix, however, has a lot of bad blood with ex-boyfriend Tom Sandoval, who blew up their nine-year relationship with a cheating scandal that rocked the world — and not just the Bravo world.
Batula and Cooke, 43, announced via a joint Instagram statement in January that they had decided to part ways.
“After much reflection, we have mutually and amicably decided to part ways as a couple,” they said at the time. “We share this with a heavy heart and kindly ask for your grace and support while we focus on our personal growth and healing.”
The statement concluded, “It feels ironic to ask for privacy during this time since we’ve always tried to be open and honest about our relationship, but your kindness and respect will go a long way as we try to navigate our next chapter.”
Summer House fans have been watching the end of Batula and Cooke’s relationship play out during the 10th season of the Bravo show, which is currently airing. Last week’s installment featured the former couple getting into it during a full-cast beach trip. The scene has been aptly named by fans as the “Apology Dune,” referring to where it took place.
“God, that was really rough. I definitely disassociated in the moment. You can see me shut down and go into my own world,” Batula said, reflecting on the fight. “I didn’t even know he said half of those things because I couldn’t hear him. No personality? A bitch has personality, OK!? I wouldn’t be on TV if I didn’t!”
Cooke claimed that his then-wife had a lack of “curiosity, drive, personality” during the episode.
“A lot of people checked in on me after the episode aired,” Batula said. “Kyle even texted me after and said it was a rough watch.”
She explained during Tuesday’s interview that the “frustration and animosity” between her and Cooke “outshined the love we had, and it became volatile.”
“We could not see eye to eye or understand one another. The hatred came out,” Batula continued. “It was really difficult to relive, but it’s a good reminder for both of us that we made the right decision to break up.”
Batula has claimed on Summer House that she’s received several DMs from women on social media who allege Cooke cheated on her during their marriage. This also adds an extra layer to the Madix comparison. (Cooke admitted to cheating on Batula during Summer House season 3 when they were still dating.)
“I do fear that more people may start coming out of the woodwork,” Batula told Marie Claire. “I’ve already seen posts about [him cheating] and people confirming certain things, which doesn’t make me feel great, but I can’t say I didn’t expect it, given all the rumors I’ve heard.”
