Mauricio Umansky made headlines last month after he was spotted cozying up with reality TV figure Celisa “CJ” Franco. The paparazzi captured the pair standing on a West Hollywood sidewalk, as The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills dad wrapped his arms around the FBoy Island alum.
Additional shots showed Mauricio kissing CJ on the cheek and nuzzling his face into her shoulder, which, of course, led many to believe that he had a new flame. Although the pictures went heavy on the PDA, Mauricio insisted that the snaps were misleading.
Mauricio Umansky clarifies his relationship with CJ Franco
“The photos looked more cozy or more whatever than what the reality is,” he told Page Six during an Ari event in Miami Beach. “Like, we’re friends, you know? I think that paparazzi was hiding in the bushes. There was literally nobody around. We were just waiting for her Uber, and I was waiting outside with her. She’s just a friend… We’re just good friends.”
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The photographs were taken on the night of November 26 and released the following day, when Mauricio was celebrating Thanksgiving with his estranged wife, Kyle Richards, and their family.
“That [story] was released during Thanksgiving dinner, which kinda sucked, but whatever,” he continued. “CJ’s my friend. It’s just that simple.”
Sophia Umansky questions Mauricio Umansky during Thanksgiving dinner
The Beverly Hills dad said the news reports caused a mild disruption during the holiday get-together, as his daughter Sophia Umansky immediately confronted him over the CJ photos.
“So we’re all having Thanksgiving dinner, and Sophia’s like, ‘Dad, what the f–k is this?’” he recalled. “I’m like, ‘What are you talking about?’ There’s nothing to say. You just have to be authentic and real. It’s that simple. Yeah, we’re good friends.”
Kyle Richards reacts to Mauricio Umansky’s airport kissing photos
This isn’t the first time paparazzi photos have caused tension within Mauricio’s family. Back in July 2024, Mauricio was photographed kissing another woman at an airport — an incident that Kyle described as “strange.” She addressed the matter in the RHOBH Season 15 premiere, admitting the PDA photos were “shocking.”
“The first time I saw a photo of Mau… I was taken aback,” she told a producer. “But I’m a little desensitized now, unfortunately. Of course, he’s allowed to do what he wants, and I know he’s not doing that to hurt me. I just wish that he would be a little more discreet.”
Mauricio Umansky says he’s too busy to “even think about a relationship”
Kyle and Mauricio announced their marital split in the summer of 2023 after 27 years of marriage. Although they have yet to pursue a divorce, the ex-couple said they’re both single and permitted to date other people; however, Mauricio told Page Six he was simply too busy to start a serious relationship.
“I’m just taking it a day at a time, and I’m enjoying getting to know myself,” he said about his “single” era. “I got married when I was young, right? I’m busy right now! I’m working my butt off. I’ve never worked harder in my life. I mean, we’re doing so many different things at The Agency. I’m launching a whole bunch of new businesses, I’m being disruptive in the industry, I’ve now taken on modeling.”
He continued: “I travel more than anybody I know. In the last 50 days, I don’t think I’ve slept in the same bed for more than three days. When you have a schedule like that, I can’t even think about a relationship.”
Get more details about Kyle’s coparenting dynamic with Mauricio, and whether she’s made any moves in the dating scene.
