TLDR:
- Crystal Minkoff was initially in pre-production for RHOBH Season 14 before her departure
- Producers wanted her to “embellish her life” due to lack of personal drama
- She declined to create artificial storylines, citing authenticity concerns
- Crystal believes she wouldn’t fit Season 14’s “single women” theme as a married cast member
- Sutton Stracke expressed emotional response to Minkoff’s departure
Former Real Housewives of Beverly Hills cast member Crystal Kung Minkoff has revealed new details about her departure from the popular Bravo series ahead of its 14th season. The reality star shared her experience during the October 28 episode of her new podcast, “Humble Brag with Crystal and Cynthia.”
Minkoff disclosed that she was initially involved in pre-production meetings for Season 14 and had filming dates scheduled. “We were all in pre-production together,” Minkoff stated, though she noted that nothing was finalized without a contract.
During these preliminary discussions, producers asked Minkoff to outline her plans for the upcoming season. The conversations revealed a disconnect between the show’s expectations and Minkoff’s real life situation. According to Minkoff, producers wanted her to “embellish her life” to create more engaging content.
The former cast member explained that she felt uncomfortable with the direction suggested by production. “There was a lot of conversation about what that looked like — what’s going on in my life. And it felt like it was stretching the truth for me to make a story that didn’t really make sense,” Minkoff revealed during her podcast.
The departure process came to a head when Minkoff received an unexpected call from a producer. “One of the producers called me and just said like, ‘You were on yesterday, and then today it changed,'” she shared, describing the moment she learned she wouldn’t be returning to the show.
Minkoff’s exit appears to align with a shift in the show’s direction for Season 14. She noted that the entire current cast is single, contrasting with her 17-year marriage to Rob Minkoff. “I think I would be a black sheep on the show,” she admitted.
The reality star believes the production team is aiming to recreate the atmosphere of earlier seasons of Real Housewives of New York City, featuring “older single women, kind of looking for men, partying, getting drunk.” Minkoff acknowledged this wasn’t a natural fit for her lifestyle.
In a June 2024 appearance on “Jeff Lewis Live,” Minkoff had previously hinted at family considerations influencing her exit. “My family is the most important and more important than any job I could have. The show is tough. It reveals a lot,” she explained.
Despite the circumstances of her departure, Minkoff maintains a positive attitude toward her time on the show. She emphasized her gratitude for the experience, choosing to limit details about her production discussions out of respect for the franchise.
Fellow cast member Sutton Stracke’s reaction to Minkoff’s departure revealed the impact of the casting change. In a May 2024 interview, Stracke shared that she “called her immediately” upon hearing the news and became emotional. However, Minkoff assured her former co-star that she was “good” with the decision.
The change in cast has also affected other members of the show. Annemarie Wiley, who had notable conflicts with Minkoff during Season 13, also departed following viewer reactions to her casting.
Minkoff’s three-season run on RHOBH included various storylines and confrontations, but her unwillingness to manufacture drama ultimately influenced her exit. She clarified that she “didn’t quit” the series, suggesting the final decision came from production.
The reality star has since moved forward with new projects, including her podcast collaboration with former Real Housewives of Atlanta star Cynthia Bailey. This platform has allowed her to share her experiences more openly with fans.
Looking ahead, Minkoff appears content with her decision to maintain authenticity over creating artificial storylines for television. Her departure marks the end of her journey with the franchise after three seasons.
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