This article was originally published on Crafting Your Home. A human contributor also wrote and edited the post.
Amanda Batula is sharing new details about the painful struggles that shaped the final years of her marriage to Kyle Cooke, including why physical intimacy nearly disappeared during their four-year marriage. The reality star said the issue was not caused by one single problem, but by a combination of emotional distance, depression, a lack of romance, and a relationship dynamic that left her feeling disconnected.
During the second part of In the City Season 1 reunion, Batula and Cooke discussed the private challenges behind their separation. The conversation followed earlier comments from their Summer House reunion, where they revealed that their marriage had been unhappy for much of its duration and that their needs were not being met.
While the couple had previously described their marriage as essentially without sex, Cooke later clarified that they did have physical intimacy after their September 2021 wedding, estimating it happened “like, three times.” The clarification did not change the larger issue they were discussing: the deep emotional and physical distance that developed between them.
Amanda Batula Says Depression Played A Major Role
Batula explained that her mental health was one factor that affected her desire for intimacy. She said she was struggling with depression during the marriage and that it contributed to the difficulties she and Cooke faced.
“I was depressed. Depression will do that. That was part of it,” Batula said while explaining why intimacy became difficult.
However, Batula made clear that depression was only one piece of a much larger problem. She described a relationship where she felt the emotional connection had weakened over time, making it harder for closeness and affection to return.
The reality star also revealed that intimacy problems were not something that appeared suddenly after marriage. She said the couple had discussed the issue in therapy before their wedding, suggesting that they entered marriage already aware that they had challenges to address.
Batula said she felt she was missing important parts of a romantic relationship, including being pursued and spending meaningful time together. She explained that she felt she was not being “courted” and that regular dates had become absent from their relationship.
A Lack Of Romance Created Distance Between The Couple
One of Batula’s biggest concerns was that she felt the emotional foundation of the relationship had weakened. She said she wanted more moments of connection outside the bedroom, including conversations, affection, and time dedicated to each other.
According to Batula, Cooke’s demanding schedule often became a barrier. She described a routine where Cooke would spend long hours working, then come home focused on business responsibilities rather than reconnecting as a couple.
Batula said there were moments when Cooke’s work discussions continued into their personal time. She described feeling that their interactions became more focused on tasks and responsibilities rather than emotional closeness.
She also explained that attempts at physical intimacy sometimes happened without the emotional connection she needed first. Batula said there was a lack of romance and communication, adding that she eventually felt like “an object” rather than a partner.
Her comments highlighted one of the biggest disagreements between the former couple. Batula wanted more emotional attention and romantic effort, while Cooke believed his dedication to work was part of building a secure future together.
Kyle Cooke Explains His Side Of The Marriage Struggles
Cooke acknowledged that he played a role in the problems within the marriage. He said he understood why Batula felt disconnected but also explained that he believed he was making efforts to support their future.
The entrepreneur pointed to the time he spent building Loverboy, working as a DJ and managing other professional commitments. Cooke said his goal was to create financial stability and prepare for the future they had discussed together.
However, Batula felt that those priorities came at the expense of their relationship. She argued that while Cooke was focused on building a future, she was struggling with the reality of feeling emotionally neglected in the present.
One moment that stood out during their conversation involved Cooke suggesting that Batula read a book about being in a relationship with an entrepreneur. Batula said that was not the solution she wanted because she was looking for more personal effort and connection.
She explained that she wanted dates and quality time rather than advice on how to adjust to his lifestyle. For Batula, the issue was not simply understanding his career demands, but feeling like the relationship itself needed more attention.
The exchange showed how both viewed commitment differently. Cooke saw providing and working hard as signs of dedication, while Batula wanted consistent emotional presence and romantic effort.
The Couple’s Separation Followed Years Of Unresolved Issues
Batula and Cooke’s relationship was followed publicly for years through reality television. The pair began dating before becoming engaged and married on September 25, 2021. They announced their separation in January 2026 after four years of marriage, describing the decision as mutual and respectful.
Their reunion conversations revealed that many of the issues behind the separation had been developing for years. Both acknowledged that they had become unhappy and that their relationship needs were not being fulfilled.
The discussion also showed that the breakdown of their marriage was not tied to one argument or one moment. Instead, their comments pointed to a series of ongoing challenges involving communication, emotional connection, mental health and competing priorities.
Batula’s explanation offered insight into how depression and relationship struggles can affect intimacy. At the same time, Cooke’s perspective showed how career pressures and attempts to provide can still create distance when emotional needs are overlooked.
Their story also reflected a common relationship challenge: two people can both believe they are trying while still feeling unseen by the other person. Cooke believed his hard work represented commitment, while Batula felt that commitment needed to be expressed through time, attention, and emotional availability.
As the former couple continues moving forward separately, their reunion discussion provided a closer look at the private struggles behind a relationship that had been publicly celebrated for years. Rather than pointing to one simple reason for their split, their comments revealed a gradual breakdown of connection that neither partner was able to repair.
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