Inside RHOBH’s Teddi Mellencamp & Crystal Kung Minkoff’s Former Friendship
Crystal #Crystal
Teddi Mellencamp and The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Crystal Kung Minkoff might be feuding now, but the women were friends once upon a time. Teddi has unapologetically allied herself with the RHOBH Fox Force Five. However, her stance among her friends has taken a more nuanced tone since calling out Crystal for potentially playing down Kathy Hilton’s Aspen meltdown. While many know of Crystal’s friendship with Kathy, they probably don’t know about her ties to Teddi.
Teddi was friends with Crystal for almost a decade before recommending her for RHOBH. However, rather than adding Crystal to the existing cast, Bravo replaced Teddi with Crystal. In an interview with Flipping Out’s Jeff Lewis on Radio Andy, Teddi revealed, “Crystal was my friend that I referred to be on the show. They hired her and fired me!” She also shared that their kids took dance classes together; she said, “I talk to her the same way I have for the last couple years.” Based on the interview, Teddi and Crystal, who may not return to RHOBH, were still on good terms in June 2021.
Related: RHOBH: Why Lisa Rinna Thinks Kathy Hilton Is Jealous Of Kyle Richards
Since that interview, the tides started to turn. On her podcast with Tamra Judge, Two T’s In A Pod, Teddi cosigned the rumor that 14 of Crystal’s former friends dumped her due to her alleged “mean girl” attitude. Teddi took a diplomatic approach, saying, “The people” who “tried to give me information that I did not want because I do think there are two sides to every story.” Teddi’s refusal to demonize the RHOBH star speaks to the women’s former friendship. Most recently is when Teddi seemed to take a sharp stance against Crystal.
When it comes to Kathy’s meltdown in Aspen, according to Reality Blurb, Teddi said, “Crystal is pretending she didn’t see it,” and “Crystal was there.” She added that she thinks Crystal wants to maintain her ties with Kathy and keep a coveted invite to her Christmas party. Teddi alleged, “I don’t think she wants to mess with her relationship with Kathy.” Teddi’s willingness to condemn Crystal does seem counterintuitive to her undying loyalty to Kyle Richards. While Kathy has criticized Kyle, Kyle’s opted to avoid stirring the pot at all costs to maintain a good relationship with Kathy. When a fan asked on Instagram about Teddi taking “digs” at Crystal, Kathy, Sutton Stracke, and Garcelle Beauvais on the podcast, Crystal responded, “I don’t listen to it. And it doesn’t bother me. I film a tv show. And I have a very full life. I keep them very separated.”
Crystal, who hinted at RHOBH firings, has repeatedly said that she is not interested in drama. Instead, she seems invested in staying grounded and being her authentic self no matter what pressures come her way. Meanwhile, Teddi seems more caught up in the Bravo news cycle. Nonetheless, Teddi does have a very authentic nature at her core, so maybe these ladies will be able to make amends. Until then, the “Two T’s” shade will keep coming.
Next: RHOBH: Crystal Kung Minkoff & Rob Minkoff Relationship Timeline
The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills airs Wednesday at 8 p.m. EST on Bravo.
Sources: Radio Andy/ YouTube, Reality Blurb