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Credit: Abaca Press/INSTARimages
Crystal Kung-Minkoff confirmed the news of her departure from The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills in an Instagram Story shared with her fans and followers on Monday night.
After a report claimed producers opted against renewing her contract for season 14, suggesting it was simply “time to move on,” Crystal made the news official as she looked back on her time on the series and thanked her supporters.
“I just wanted to share the news that I will not be coming back to film season 14 of Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. It’s very bittersweet. Never did I think I would have been asked to do the show in a million years, let alone film it for three seasons,” Crystal began in her April 15 clip. “Every single year I was asked back, it was a blessing. It was an honor.”
According to Crystal, being the first Asian American on RHOBH “was a lot of weight on [her] shoulders,” and she now realizes the magnitude of what that meant for people.
“I just wanted to thank you guys for being such an incredible support for me, and I hope that I have been for you, sharing my story with my [eating disorder], sharing stories about my father and his Alzheimer’s,” she continued.
While Crystal won’t be back for the new season, she teased that she has something else in store for her fans.
“This is not goodbye. This is a see you soon,” she explained. “I have some other things going on that I will be sharing with you soon that I’ll still be able to connect with you because at the end of the day, that has been my biggest gift of filming this show, is connecting with so many of you with your beautiful stories.”
“I’m so grateful for everyone’s love and support … Rob, Max, Zoe, my brother Jeff, my mom, we’re all so grateful to you guys,” she added. “This has been such a fun chapter. So, thank you guys so much.”
Following the sharing of her video, Crystal was met with love and support from her fellow Real Housewives — as well as a funny comment from her husband, Rob Minkoff, 61.
“And I was really planning to ‘bring it’ this season,” Rob joked.
Meanwhile, after Andy Cohen, 55, offered a round of applause, Garcelle Beauvais, 57, told her former castmate she would “miss” her and that she was “happy for [their] friendship.”
“You’re gonna be missed. You’re a class act Crystal,” added Real Housewives of Orange County star Tamra Judge, 56.
Real Housewives of Dubai‘s Chanel Ayan, 45, looked back on her initial encounter with Crystal.
“I am gonna miss you hun my first housewives friend and sister,” she shared. “We met at [Watch What Happens Live] and connected for life. I will see you soon love ya.”
Heather Dubrow, 55, and Real Housewives of Dallas alum Tiffany Moon, 39, also weighed in, with Heather telling Crystal she loves her and Tiffany thanking her for “sharing [her] life, family, and struggles with us.”
“You were authentic, relatable, and funny AF. When one door closes, another opens. Here’s to bigger and better things in your future my love,” Tiffany added.
Even actress Octavia Spencer, 53, reacted to Crystal’s exit, saying, “You’ll be missed!”
No official word yet on when filming will begin on the upcoming 14th season of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.
