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Crystal Kung-Minkoff didn’t like Kyle Richards and Dorit Kemsley’s conversation about Sutton Stracke‘s drinking on an earlier episode of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.
While attending a party at Kathy Hilton‘s Bel Air home earlier this month, Crystal, 40, shot down the potentially “dangerous” narrative her castmates put out there as she dished on her friendships with Sutton, 52, and Erika Jayne, 52, and admitted that for her, season 13 was about being honest.
“I didn’t like that at all,” Crystal said of the chat Kyle, 54, and Dorit, 47, had about Sutton’s drinking during a recent interview with Extra TV. “I was a little bit quiet because I was trying to absorb what was going on and I just think that narrative is not only unkind but can be hurtful and, in some ways, dangerous for people.”
“If you really believe that [there is an issue], then there needs to be a movement to help someone,” she added. “But I didn’t feel that was the situation, personally.”
During production on season 13, Sutton faced challenges as she learned her ex-husband Christian Strake would be moving to London, potentially with her and their son, just hours before her meltdown at Magic Mike.
Looking back, Crystal revealed that she warned Sutton about hiding certain information.
“I actually told her the other day, I said, ‘Now that we’re close, it’s really important for you to say it.’ I’m like, ‘If things are going on behind closed doors, just let me know. You don’t need to tell me details.’ Because that’s why we struggled my first two years on the show — because she had other stuff going on.”
She also advised Sutton against taking her personal hardships out on her castmates.
“I said, ‘You can’t take it out on people,’” she shared.
In addition to being in a better place with Sutton throughout season 13, Crystal also enjoyed getting to know Erika better.
“I actually always have liked her and I think, what you don’t really see the first two years, she was very protective of me, very supportive,” Crystal explained. “I think she felt really bad when I brought up stuff in her lawsuit but that wasn’t to be vindictive. That was just how I felt and she’s the one who encouraged me to say how I feel and so I think that’s why we’re okay, is because she knows I came from a place of authenticity.”
“We’re good. I’m happy we’re friends,” Crystal added. “I’m fine with everyone, actually.”
Going into her third year on the show, Crystal said she was determined to speak her mind.
“This year is really just being honest and saying how I feel in the moment, and I think if it’s reasonable, then people accept it. Because you’re not doing it to be vindictive. You’re just there to be honest,” she noted. “And sometimes people need to be called out.”
The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills season 13 airs Wednesdays at 8/7c on Bravo.
