One Statement. Zero Accountability

Breaking Down Amanda Batula and West Wilson's joint relationship statement

After weeks of speculation about their rumored romance, Summer House co-stars Amanda Batula and West Wilson simultaneously released a joint statement, coordinating and confirming their relationship. Amanda is newly separated from co-star Kyle Cooke, and West was involved with co-star Ciara Miller.

Jointly, they expressed:

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 needed a little space to process things privately before speaking on it.

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, longstanding friendship, which made it especially important for us to approach this with care.

As our feelings evolved, we wanted to take the 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 to be perceived as careless.

We truly appreciate the understanding and respect as we navigate this.

Let’s read between the lines to decipher what they actually mean.

“We’ve seen the growing online speculation, so while this is still very new…”

Still very new accomplishes two things. They are asking for “grace” and suggesting they were processing, not hiding their relationship. But the speculation has been growing for months, so which one is it?

“Provide some clarity”

They provided zero clarity. Not a timeline or any specifics about the true nature of their relationship. But the real egregiousness comes soon after.

Next comes the alibi.

“It was never our intention to purposely hide anything..”

West and Amanda are really banking on purposely hide to do some heavy lifting. You can hide something without it being purposeful. This reads like a non-denial denial to me.

Also the entire statement is written in passive voice. No one is doing anything to anyone.

Then we have the attempted romantic reframe.

“Our connection grew out of a genuine, longstanding friendship…”

This isn’t a betrayal you guys; this is a friends-to-lovers story for the ages. Long-standing friendship reminds us that everyone was close: Amanda, West, Kyle, and Ciara, which makes this statement worse, not better.

The Lack of Acknowledgement

“We also recognize that this has had an impact beyond just us”

Beyond just us? Do you mean your partner of ten years Kyle Cooke? Your best friend Ciara Miller? Your ex that you were upset because Jesse Solomon wanted to kiss her? I don’t see any names, or an official apology.

“never wanted our actions to cause any hurt to be perceived as careless.”

Saying they never wanted to cause hurt is not the same as acknowledging it, and they are obviously more concerned about the perception of carelessness than the feelings of the real people involved.

This statement is not asking for forgiveness; it’s reputation management dressed as vulnerability. And it failed. Miserably.

What are your thoughts on this statement? I’ll have more to come, so be sure to like, comment, share, and subscribe.