Crystal Kung Minkoff had nothing but praise for Jeff Lewis after their once-rocky relationship developed into a close friendship. The former Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star reflected on how Lewis welcomed her into his circle of friends, known as the Chumps, and explained why she admired the community he built around his radio show.
Crystal Kung Minkoff praises Jeff Lewis for building a close-knit community of friends
During an interview with Decider, Minkoff discussed her friendship with Lewis and admitted that their relationship had not started on the best terms. Their initial disagreement followed Lewis’ comments about her at BravoCon 2023. Minkoff subsequently responded to his remarks during several red-carpet appearances.
However, Lewis eventually contacted her to apologize and invited her onto Jeff Lewis Live. Minkoff initially expected their conversation to resolve the disagreement without leading to anything more. Things changed when Lewis invited her back a few weeks later. Their second conversation helped her see another side of the radio host, and the two gradually developed a friendship.
Minkoff eventually became part of the Jeff Lewis Chumps, a group of recurring guests and friends who regularly appeared on his shows. Although she initially questioned whether she would fit in with the group, she said her relationships with its members grew stronger over time.
“Jeff has really created an incredible community of friends,” she told Decider. The RHOBH alum also praised Lewis for financially compensating his guests. She revealed that she had not realized he paid participants until after her third appearance. According to the report, Lewis paid his Chumps $500 per appearance.
Minkoff appreciated the arrangement because she believed Lewis treated his guests as contributors rather than occasional visitors. She also credited his personality with attracting commercial partnerships. She described Lewis as authentic and said his willingness to express himself openly helped audiences and brands connect with him.
Beyond her involvement with Lewis, Minkoff celebrated another professional milestone. Her podcast, Humble Brag with Crystal and Cynthia, which she hosted alongside Real Housewives of Atlanta alum Cynthia Bailey, recently reached its 100th episode. Minkoff said she enjoyed giving friends a platform to share personal experiences and hoped to involve listeners more directly in future episodes.
