Crystal Kung Minkoffis opening up about the online harassment she faced after becoming the first Asian American cast member onThe Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.
During areunion episodeof season 11, the reality star revealed to her costars and Bravo hostAndy Cohenthe racist hate she experienced from viewers while being on the show, including “hundreds of messages a day” attacking her for being Asian.
Speaking to PEOPLE atGold House’s Gold Gala event on Saturday, Kung Minkoff, 39, shares an update on the situation, saying, “It’s gotten better.”
“But our season just started, so I noticed a little bit more, but I am more prepared to handle it,” she explains. “And what I realize is I always grew up in Los Angeles. I grew up obviously in a very Chinese household, sort of in a bubble.”
Stefanie Keenan/Getty for Gold House
Despite the “negativity” she encountered, Kung Minkoff is also grateful for the support she received from her fans after herRHOBHdebut in 2021.
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“It’s also incredible I get so many positive messages,” she says. “‘I wanna see more of your culture…,’ ‘I didn’t know about dumplings or Chinese new year,’ and all these things that I got to share last year, so I really lean into it this year.”
Admitting that online harassment is something she can’t entirely avoid, Kung Minkoff has decided to continue using her platform for a good cause.
“Look, it’s gonna be there. I can’t stay away from it,” she affirms. “But my job in my heart is to express our culture positively.”
Minkoff joinedRHOBHin season 11, a year afterGarcelle BeauvaisandSutton Strackedebuted on the show. Meanwhile, season 12 introduced Diana Jenkins as a new addition to the group.
When asked about which costars in the Bravo franchise she feels the closest to, Kung Minkoff tells PEOPLE, “I am gonna say, Sutton, Garcelle because I see them a lot.”
Tommy Garcia/Bravo
“We see each other a lot off-camera, so yeah, but I am getting along with everyone,” she adds.
The mother of two also shares she “understands” there is an inevitable divide between the “OG members” of the show and newcomers, including herself, Stracke, and Beauvais.
“They have been filming a long time together. They’ve had established their friendships, and that’s okay … I understand that,” she explains. “I want someone to understand that if I have another closer friend, I am not gonna try to move my way. I am just gonna show who I am, and if you like me, love me, and if you don’t, then your loss.”
TheReal Housewives of Beverly Hillsairs Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET on Bravo.
source: people.com
