Kyle Richards, star of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, is deeply “worried” and “heartbroken” after learning that her daughter, 25-year-old Sophia Umansky, has turned to the weight-loss drug Mounjaro and is now experiencing concerning side effects, including significant hair loss. This development is particularly emotional for Kyle, who battled anorexia in her twenties and is all too familiar with the pressures of body image.
A close source revealed to DailyMail.com that Kyle Richards concern stems from her personal experience with disordered eating and the constant pressures that come with being in the public eye. “This is extremely upsetting to Kyle, who battled anorexia when she was younger,” the insider explained. “Kyle already is constantly worried about all her children because that is just how she is. To see Sophia, who is so beautiful and perfect the way that she is, feel the need to lose weight over the pressures of the industry is heartbreaking for Kyle.”
Kyle Richards shares Sophia with her estranged husband, Mauricio Umansky, and the source notes that she understands the unique challenges that come with raising children in the spotlight. “Kyle knows these pressures all too well and so she can relate to Sophia. She is coming at this from a place of understanding, not a place of anger,” the insider continued. “She understands that growing up in front of the camera has not been the healthiest for her children, or for her marriage.”
Being constantly compared to the ultra-thin models of Los Angeles has been a difficult experience for Kyle and her daughters, a reality that Kyle has openly discussed in the past. “The girls, and herself, are constantly comparing themselves to the tiny size 0 models in LA, and this is not attainable for the normal woman.”
Despite her concern, Kyle Richards is proud of Sophia for sharing her experience with Mounjaro openly, especially as it could help other women facing similar struggles. “She wants a full stop and is proud of her for coming forward because it will help lots of women who are contemplating using the drug,” the source stated. Kyle also emphasized the unknowns surrounding the long-term effects of using weight-loss medications, with the insider adding, “No one really knows the long-term consequences to your health. She has the support and love of all her family.”
Sophia made headlines recently when she revealed on social media that she had been using Mounjaro, a popular injectable medication typically prescribed for diabetes, to aid in weight loss. Though the drug is not officially linked to hair loss, Sophia has experienced significant shedding, which she attributes to rapid weight loss rather than the drug itself. “I am very lucky that I have so much hair, because at the rate that I’ve been losing hair, I’m gonna be bald in about a week,” Sophia joked in a TikTok video. She explained that hair loss began three months into taking Mounjaro, stating, “I started Mounjaro about four months ago, and I would say like maybe for the past three weeks to a month, I’ve noticed a dramatic hair loss situation.”
Sophia also shared that the hair loss has been so intense that even the slightest tug at her hair results in clumps coming out. “All throughout the day, if I tug even gently at my hair, clumps of it will come out in my hands,” she added, showing footage of the hair loss during her daily routine. Sophia suggested that the rapid weight loss may have contributed to her nutritional deficiencies, which in turn could be affecting her hair. “I don’t think it’s a direct result of the medication. I think it’s a direct result of rapid weight loss because of the medication, and not eating enough vitamins, protein, all that kind of stuff.”
Since then, Sophia has made a conscious effort to adjust her diet, focusing on eating more protein and ensuring she takes her vitamins, which she believes is helping to stabilize her health.
Kyle Richards’ own experience with anorexia has been widely documented. In a 2019 Real Housewives of Beverly Hills episode, Kyle bravely opened up about her struggles with an eating disorder, revealing that as a teenager, she weighed just 99 pounds and limited herself to minimal food intake. “It started when I was 17. I was on a TV show and they kept putting me in these big things. My boobs were big when I was young, my sisters were tiny and cute, everyone was blonde, blue-eyed, and skinny,” she shared. “People would compliment me and the more they complimented me, the less I would eat.”
Kyle Richards’ personal journey with disordered eating has profoundly shaped her perspective as a mother. “I can remember times where I was like, ‘I’ll only have six almonds today. That’s all I’m going to have. I was very self-conscious.’” She revealed that this was the first time she had shared her past struggles with her daughters, not wanting to “plant a seed” of insecurity in their minds.
As Sophia navigates the challenges of body image and weight loss in the public eye, Kyle Richards’ love and support remain unwavering, and she hopes her daughter’s openness will inspire others to think critically about the consequences of drastic weight loss methods.