'Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills’ Season 6 Casting Rumors: Is Kathy Hilton Replacing Kim Richards?

Rumor has it that a new housewife is headed to Beverly Hills — but can it be true? Nicky Hilton, niece of current “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” star Kyle Richards, recently cleared the air after reports surfaced claiming her mother, Kathy Hilton, would appear on the show.

With longtime cast member Kim Richards not returning to "Real Housewives," many believed she would be replaced by her sister, Kathy. Like Kim and Kyle, the 56-year-old is a former child star. She later broke into the fashion industry with her own line. Kathy, who has three children including famous socialite Paris Hilton, has made brief cameos on the show before but never been a full-time cast member. Unfortunately, Nicky assured "RHOBH" fans that her mother will not be joining the Bravo series anytime soon. During an appearance on “Good Day New York,” the 31-year-old said the casting reports are nothing more than rumors.

“Absolutely not. I’ve heard that rumor, it pops up once or twice every year since Kim [Richards] and Kyle [Richards] started the show and no...untrue,” she said.

Stories claiming that Kathy had been cast on the hit Bravo series began circulating after sourcs told E! News that Kim had been demoted to “friend” of the other “Housewives.” It had previously been reported that NBC Universal was demanding the 50-year-old seek treatment for her alcoholism following her April 16 arrest. The network reportedly felt she was too much of a liability without getting the help.

Kim went to rehab on April 26, leaving shortly after she checked in to attend daughter Brooke Brinson’s wedding. She was asked to return to the center by May 25, but failed to report. Days later, on June 2, it was reported that she had begun attending a new facility. She is said to be doing “a lot better."

Bravo has yet to make an announcement regarding the return of “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills." The fate of the other "Housewives" remains unclear.