Crystal Kung-Minkoff, former cast member of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills (RHOBH), has opened up about one of the most painful chapters of her life. Behind the glitz and glamor of reality TV lies a story of shattered friendships, envy, and what she describes as an orchestrated campaign to destroy her reputation.
Crystal’s account, shared on her podcast Humble Brag with Cynthia Bailey, reveals how joining RHOBH triggered a fallout with her “mommy and me” group, including a close friend—an actress—who allegedly led the charge against her.
Crystal, a proud mother and active participant in a “mommy and me” group, never imagined that her leap into reality television would lead to the disintegration of these cherished relationships. “I lost seven friends from one group,” she shared, adding that attempts to mend the rift were met with silence
The breaking point came when Crystal discovered a group photo featuring all her former friends—without her. Heartbroken, she wrote individual letters and sent flowers in an effort to reconcile. “I begged them. I said, ‘Whatever I’ve done, I’ll fix it. I won’t even stay on the show.’” But not a single person responded.
Among those who turned their backs on Crystal was a longtime friend, an actress who had once considered joining RHOBH herself. According to Crystal, this friend had been on the producers’ radar but ultimately backed out because her husband disapproved.
When Crystal later joined the cast, the friend’s response was less than supportive. “The conversation wasn’t great,” Crystal admitted. “It was, ‘Why is it good enough for you and not me?’”
Crystal explained that her decision was motivated by the opportunity to use RHOBH as a platform to address issues like the rise in anti-Asian hate crimes. “But I didn’t tell her that,” Crystal said. “It felt like an excuse.”
From that point on, the friendship was over. What followed was a series of shocking attacks from her former friend and others in the group.
Crystal alleges that her ex-friend didn’t stop at simply cutting ties. Instead, she led what Crystal describes as a campaign to ruin her standing within their social circle and beyond.
“They started telling people that I made up lies about them,” Crystal revealed. “They DM’d cast members, saying, ‘If you talk to her, you’re no longer friends with us.’”
The group allegedly worked to isolate Crystal, even spreading rumors to other influential women she was close to. “They really dug up things on people,” Crystal said, noting that the attacks on her character escalated during the COVID-19 pandemic, when maintaining social connections was already challenging.
Despite these efforts, Crystal’s best friends remained loyal, standing by her through the turmoil.
Crystal believes jealousy played a major role in the fallout, particularly with her actress friend. “She said, ‘Why do you get to do it? I’ve been vocal about wanting to do it, and you never even cared.’”
The former friend allegedly viewed Crystal’s journey as an invasion of her own aspirations. “Go do something you’ve always wanted to do. You’re now doing my journey,” Crystal recalled her saying.
The betrayal, however, didn’t end with words. Crystal claims the group actively worked to sever her ties with anyone who remained neutral, forcing a “choose her or us” ultimatum.
While the drama with her mommy group and former friend left deep scars, Crystal has found solace in the unwavering support of her husband, Rob Minkoff, and her closest friends. Reflecting on the experience, Crystal remains resolute: “My best friends are amazing because they really stood by me.”
Crystal’s story serves as a reminder of the darker side of ambition, envy, and the high stakes of joining the world of reality TV. For her, the price of fame wasn’t just personal—it was the loss of people she once considered family.
As the drama unfolds and speculation grows about whether her ex-friend might join RHOBH in the future, one thing remains clear: Crystal Kung-Minkoff’s journey in the spotlight has been anything but ordinary.