Richards also opened up about her own future on the beloved Bravo series. Just days after Crystal Kung Minkoff announced her exit from The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, Kyle Richards is speaking out.
While taking questions from fans on Amazon Live Wednesday, Richards was asked about Minkoff’s decision to leave the long-running reality series.
“It made me sad, of course… [but] I have kind of mixed feelings,” Richards said. “Not because of her, just because… life is great without reality television, too.”
She continued, “So it’s not like, ‘Oh my god, poor Crystal!’ She has a great family, and there’s a lot of say for not doing [reality TV]. She’s gonna be great.”
After three seasons on the Bravo show, Minkoff announced her departure from the series, calling it “bittersweet.”
“I just wanted to share the news that I will not be coming back to film season 14 of Real Housewives of Beverly Hills,” Minkoff said in a video shared to her feed. “It’s very bittersweet. Never did I think I would’ve been asked to do this show in a million years, let alone film it for three seasons. Every single year I was asked back, it was a blessing. It was an honor.”
Minkoff was the first Asian American housewife on the show’s history. In her video, she weighed in on the significance of that title.
“Being the first Asian American on Beverly Hills was a lot of weight on my shoulders that I have since just have really understood the magnitude of what that meant for people,” she continued.
During her three seasons on the series, Minkoff was candid about her struggles with an eating disorder and navigating health issues with her father. She also opened up about familial spats, and showcased her sometimes-strained relationship with her brother on-screen.
“I just wanted to thank you guys for being such an incredible support for me,” Minkoff added. “And I hope that I have been for you, sharing my story with my ED, sharing stories about my father and his Alzheimer’s. I’ve heard so many incredible stories from you guys.”
While she’s leaving RHOBH, Minkoff hinted that her time on-screen may not be over.
“This is not goodbye, this is see you soon,” she said, concluding her announcement. “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 is been my biggest gift of filming. This show is connecting with so many of you with your beautiful stories.”
As for her own future on the show, the RHOBH OG said nothing has been officially decided one way or the other.
“I haven’t said anything yet,” Richards shared. “I know there are reports online that I’m not coming back, or that I am coming back. That conversation is TBD.”
All 13 seasons of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills are available to stream on Peacock.