⁠“This is in poor taste” — Netizens call out Kelly Dodd for Denise Richards-Aaron Phypers’ RHOBH skit amid the actress’s domestic abuse allegations 

After making fun of Denise Richards' ongoing domestic abuse lawsuit against her divorced husband, Aaron Phypers, Kelly Dodd is under heavy fire. Fans criticized the former Real Housewives of Orange County star and her husband, Rick Leventhal, for recreating and acting out a scene from the show, calling it "tacky" and "cruel."

Netizens commented under her post, saying:

⁠“This is in poor taste.”

The video, shared on social media on Sunday, showed Dodd and Leventhal lip-syncing to audio from a 2020 episode of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. Aaron Phypres could be heard saying:

“Don’t tell me what to say. I’m going to crush your f–king hand. Stop it.”

after Denise Richards had told him not to “say a f–king word.”

After reenacting Richards and Phypres' scene, Dodd captioned the video:

"Denise and Aaron for Halloween?? 🎃 😆."

The video was not well-received by the fans as well as survivors of domestic abuse, as they instantly denounced the tweet, with many referring to it as "tone-deaf" in light of the grave accusations Denise has made against Phypers.

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Online backlash pours in

Users voiced their outrage at the video where Kelly Dodd mocked Denise Richards, describing it as inappropriate and insensitive considering the nature of the real-life accusations. A user commented:

"Wow this is in such poor taste !!!!!"

A few more users chimed in, saying:

"As a domestic abuse survivor I find this insulting. But hey sick humour for sick minds I suppose."

A user who identifies as a domestic abuse survivor condemned the skit, criticizing it as deeply offensive and tasteless.

While another user questioned Dodd's choice to make fun of an incident in which Denise Richards was threatened.

"Wow making fun of a domestic issue ?"

While another user who is a fan urged Dodd to reconsider the video, as the user felt it crossed a certain line:

"Tbh I would take this down. Love ya but this isn't right to poke fun at. Just my opinion."

One commenter delivered a harsh rebuke, accusing the reality star of mocking Denise Richards' situation:

"You're making fun of domestic abuse? Did you not see what he did to Denise? I mean you're already pretty low but this is horrible. Be careful!

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The grave and multiple accusations behind the mockery

Following shocking accusations against Aaron Phypers by Denise Richards, there has been a backlash. After six years of marriage, Phypers filed for divorce in July 2025. Richards received a temporary restraining order shortly after that. Richards claimed that Phypers repeatedly abused him physically and emotionally during their relationship, according to court documents that Page Six and PEOPLE were able to obtain.

It is reported that Phypers would threaten to kill her, choke her violently, squeeze her head and arms, slap her face and head, and slam her head into a bathroom towel rack.

According to the court documents obtained by Page Six, the actress claimed:

“Throughout our relationship, Aaron would frequently violently choke me, violently squeeze my head with both hands, tightly squeeze my arms, violently slap me in my face and head, aggressively slam my head into the bathroom towel rack.”

Additionally, she also claimed that Phypers hacked her phone and laptop, where he then stole private messages. She also claimed that Phypers had given her a black eye in 2022.

Phypers was ordered to stay 100 feet away from Richards and her property.

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Phypers responds with counter-allegations

Aaron Phypers has refuted every accusation of abuse. In a statement to PEOPLE, he said:

"Let me be unequivocally clear: I have never physically or emotionally abused Denise, or anyone. These accusations are completely false and deeply hurtful."

He added:

"Denise and I, like many couples, have faced our share of challenges, but any suggestion of abuse is categorically untrue. I have always tried to approach our marriage with love, patience, and respect."

According to records acquired by PEOPLE, he put their date of separation as July 4 and used the excuse of "irreconcilable differences" for their separation. He also accused Denise Richards of physical abuse on the very same day.

In an interview with TMZ on July 19, he revealed that he was the one who had been betrayed in the relationship, as he found out she was having an alleged affair. He found alleged texts between the two where they exchanged messages such as "sweet dreams" and had also made plans to meet up.

He revealed that they decided to stay together after this incident. He also accused Richards of hitting him, scratching him, as well as smashing his phone.

The very next day, Phypers sent a letter to friends and families, where he claimed that Denise Richards is addicted to Vicodin and other drugs, even going so far as to say that her drug use put their daughter, Eloise, 14, in danger.

According to the letter that was obtained by Page Six:

"For nearly a decade, she has struggled with an addiction to Vicodin (which she jokingly calls 'Vitamin D' or 'white chestnuts'), mixed with Adderall and tequila."

He added:

"Some of you know this has been an issue for over 20 years. She's no longer eating real meals, and I’ve witnessed her pass out from substances — putting herself and others in danger, including while driving with our daughter."

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Denise Richards' legal team responds

Denise Richards' attorney, Brett Berman, released a statement where he fiercely denied all of Phypers' allegations:

“In addition to the repeated abuse perpetrated by Mr. Phypers against Ms. Richards throughout the parties’ marriage, Mr. Phypers has continued to harass Ms. Richards since being served with the Temporary Restraining Order by, among other things, disseminating private information from Ms. Richards’ cell phone and laptop, which he stole. These actions continue to disturb Ms. Richards’ peace.”

The statement also read:

“We have warned Mr. Phypers in writing not to disseminate any information from Ms. Richards’ stolen cell phone and laptop but, he continues to do so.”

The statement also made it clear that Denise Richards would now thoroughly address the issue in court and would no longer be responding to inquiries from the public.

Denise Richards quietly made her return to Instagram to celebrate her late mother, Joni Richards' 72nd birthday. She had passed away in 2007 after suffering from kidney cancer. She uploaded a carousel of photos, where she could be seen with her mother and kids in the first photo and a collection of Joni's younger photos.

The caption read:

"Happy Birthday, Mom in Heaven. You would've been 72 today. We miss and love you so much."

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The legal proceedings between Denise Richards and Aaron Phypers continue to flare up.

Stay tuned to Soap Central for more information.