Crystal Minkoff is pulling back the curtain on what she claims really happens behind the scenes when filming The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills slows down, and according to her, producers don’t hesitate to step in.
While appearing on the My Friend Soulmate podcast, Crystal shared her theory on why the current cast seems especially activated this season, particularly when it comes to tensions surrounding newcomer Amanda Frances. In her view, it may not be a coincidence.
“I think they probably got a talking to because it seems like now everyone is activated,” Crystal said. “I can say that because we’ve all had talkings to. I’ve had talking to. There’s a lot of pressure.”
Crystal explained that production pressure isn’t subtle when scenes aren’t delivering enough energy. She described moments where the cast would be filming what felt like a normal dinner conversation — only to have producers intervene in a very direct way.
“Producers will come in and say this is not going well,” she continued. “And I can say that because it happens in a public setting where it’s the whole cast. We’ll be at a dinner party and we’re just talking about bobo and our dogs and they will come in and slam the table and be like, ‘Are you putting on a show guys or talking about Crystal’s dog?’”
According to Crystal, those moments create a noticeable shift in tone and urgency. The implication is clear: calm doesn’t always make good television.
Her comments add another layer to ongoing fan conversations about how much of Housewives drama happens organically versus how much is nudged along by production. While Bravo has always maintained that the women control their own storylines, Crystal’s description paints a picture of a high-pressure environment where cast members are reminded in real time that they’re making a show — not just having dinner.
Whether viewers see that activation on screen this season is up for debate, but Crystal’s comments suggest the intensity fans are noticing may have more to do with behind-the-scenes expectations than coincidence.