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Crystal Minkoff recently opened up about Garcelle Beauvais’s decision to leave The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, shedding light on the dynamics between the two and what might have led to Garcelle’s exit. Crystal, known for her candid approach, shared her perspective on the Viall Files podcast, discussing the tensions that may have played a role in Garcelle’s departure. According to Crystal, Garcelle’s exit wasn’t as much about the show itself as it was about her complicated relationship with co-star Sutton Stracke.
“I talked to her the day of her announcement,” Crystal Minkoff revealed. “Right after I saw it … I messaged her and then she called me when we were in Morocco. We talked for a little bit … I didn’t ask her about her quitting.”
Despite not directly inquiring about Garcelle’s decision to leave, Crystal believes that the tension with Sutton played a significant part in Garcelle’s choice. “From what I saw, she felt quite betrayed by Sutton,” said Crystal, hinting that Garcelle’s frustrations with Sutton may have been a major driving force behind her departure. Crystal even went on to say that Garcelle’s exit was “very much about Sutton.”
The podcast hosts speculated further, suggesting that Garcelle may have left because Sutton, who was her closest ally on the show, didn’t have her back. Crystal agreed with this sentiment, stating, “That’s right.” She elaborated on the intense emotional toll of the reunion process, saying, “You can’t even describe walking into [a] reunion. The stress, the pressure, the fear, the anxiety that you have is so heightened, like, it’s really, really stressful because it’s just standing in front of a firing squad … and then everyone comes for you. Like, you need someone to help you.”
For Garcelle, that someone had always been Sutton, but Crystal suggested that there were moments when Garcelle defended Sutton “when it wasn’t warranted.” She added, “Garcelle has rode for Sutton for so long … in almost like — I just want to be careful with my words … Sometimes it wasn’t warranted.”
The emotional toll of the reunions, combined with Garcelle’s expectations of support from Sutton, might have made her decision to leave even more understandable. Crystal also mentioned that Garcelle’s frustrations were likely heightened by a specific moment during the show’s filming, where Garcelle accused PK of “fraud on television,” seemingly expecting Sutton to back her up on the accusation, knowing Sutton’s true feelings about the matter.
In the end, Crystal’s insight offers a candid glimpse into the pressures of being on RHOBH and the personal dynamics that influence the decisions of its stars. While Garcelle may have made the choice to leave the show for personal reasons, it’s clear that her relationship with Sutton played a pivotal role in shaping that decision.
