Crystal Minkoff is joining the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills cast with an individual and appreciated sashay. Her new castmates have described her as a perfect addition, opinionated stances included.
She spoke exclusively with TheThings about her heritage, thriving business, and that teased conversation with Sutton Stracke about the phrase "I don't see color."
Fans can watch new episodes of RHOBH on Hayu every Thursday beginning May 20.
Joining With Kathy Hilton
You've been friends with Kathy Hilton for fifteen years. How did you both decide to join 'Real Housewives?'
"I think that from what I know, they've always approached Kathy for so many years. I mean, Kathy's Kathy right? Who wouldn't want her on the show? When I got the call I was sort of reluctant."
"Then Kathy called me and said she was thinking about it and we should do it together. She was like, this could be really fun for us. I adore her and she adores me, and it just made sense to do it together. I'm so glad we did!"
Were you worried about joining at all, based on the drama that goes down on the show?
"For sure. I mean, I think anyone would be nervous. I like to think of myself as not a dramatic person, nor do I like being around drama. I also have very strong opinions, so ya of course you're going to be nervous. But then you know there's the whole aspect of, it's fun. You get to meet new people with amazing different backgrounds. So we just jumped in and tried to not have too many expectations.
Friendships With The 'RHOBH' Cast
What new friendships specifically can we expect to see grow for you? Who had your back the most this season?
"I developed friendships in actually all the women. Just sort of at different times. I think when you're the newbie in any group, not just this group, it's harder to develop personal friendships. As I went through the season and I got to know each girl separately, it takes time with different girls at different levels."
"Eventually I got to know all of them well. I think early on Garcelle was really, I knew Garcelle a little bit from my husband. They know each other through business. She was like, anything you need, was really sweet. Dorit was like that with me a lot. Our kids are the same age so she really understood what it was like to have young kids in this experience. Kyle's so seasoned and she's just like the momma bear. All of them, they really were super kind to me."
Family Heritage
What about your life did you want to highlight on the show and introduce yourself to people with?
"Sometimes I just feel like my life is sort of simple. My family, we always have a lot of fun. We're really very deeply rooted in our culture. Rob's Jewish and I'm Chinese. So I was really excited to share my culture and my traditions with the girls. People can see how that has shaped my life and my kids' life. I share a lot of that."
You're a 76th generational descendent of Confucius, which we could talk about for so long on its own. How does that part of your heritage influence your outlook on life?
"It wasn't like I learned later in life, you know? This is going to sound weird, but there's Santa, and there's Confucius for me. It's just part of every day since I was a baby that this is someone we look up to. Not only as a philosopher, but as an ancestor. My dad had a picture of him in his office."
"We would light incense and pray to him, just ask for guidance. He lived a life of humility and patience. I try to live my life like that. My dad was certainly like that."
Confrontation With Sutton
Her newly announced tagline, "Hollywood is full of pretenders and I slay them all," speaks true to her honest approach to her first season. While her positive attitude radiated through our call, she always wasn't afraid to discuss heavy topics that were introduced in the Season 11 trailer.
Can you talk about the conversation you have with Sutton that we see in the trailer about, 'I don't see color?'
"These types of conversations about race, I feel like is vital to have. I don't shy away from them and I don't think it's because I'm a Person of Color. For me, I have a story to tell. I also think that the rhetoric that was working fifty years ago is not enough. That's why we are in the state that we are today."
"I just think this conversation is important and it's the only way that we're going to move the needle to get somewhere, to a better place. We're in a dark place in our country right now and I think it's very important to talk about."
We also asked about her passion regarding the Stop Asian Hate movement. While Stop Asian Hate activism began after the show finished filming, Minkoff expressed that she's always been adamant about standing up against intolerance.
"The public movement didn't happen until we were done but the movement in my heart has always been there. I've been victim to racist remarks and stuff like that. I don't think most People of Color haven't been."
"My philosophy is not attacking or judging. For me, it's conversations, showing people my culture. I think the best way to do it is when you share something in a positive way. I would say that I received a lot of positive feedback when showing that to a lot of these women. I'm so proud to be Chinese, I'm so proud to be Asian. It's really painful and unfortunate what's happening. My philosophy is lead with kindness, lead with openness."
Going into your business philosophy as the founder of Real Coco, what advice would you give to aspiring women business owners?
"For me, I think finding something that you really love. I know that people say that all the time and it sounds easier said than done. But really, that's the key. Food and entertaining, all of that is my passion. That's all part of having a food company. I get to develop products that people enjoy with their friends and at home."
"It's plant-based so it's healthy for the environment. That's who I am on a daily. I take care of my kids and my family and like, what would I want them to have? Let me tell you, flying to Thailand and trying coconuts. It's a fun job! Finding something that you really love, start with that and see if you can monetize from that."