Crystal Kung Minkoff's Husband Reminded Her She Could 'Leave' “RHOBH” 'at Any Point' Before Her Exit (Exclusive)

Crystal, who made history as Bravo's first Asian American star on 'The Real Housewife of Beverly Hills', announced her departure from the Bravo show on April 15

Crystal Kung Minkoff's husband Rob Minkoff always roots for his wife's happiness above all else.

Five days before his wife announced her departure from The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, the famed Lion King filmmaker, 61, exclusively told PEOPLE of the ways he supported Crystal during her toughest moments on the Bravo reality show at the An Unforgettable Evening event for women's cancer research on April 10th.

"There've been a few times where she's been upset about something and I'm like, 'You don't have to do the show' ... 'If you don't want to do the show, it's okay,'" Rob recalled, adding that Crystal, 41, always assured him she was okay to continue on.

Though she declined his suggestion to leave, he acknowledged that her "real emotions" were felt on the show. "You really have to process the stuff, 'cause it's real life," he said. "So, it can be very complicated and difficult, and I'm here to support."

Related: 'RHOBH' 's'' Crystal Kung Minkoff Opens Up About Enduring Online Harassment: 'I Can't Stay Away From It'

"No one should be defined by their work. That's a part of who they are, but it's not all of who they are," he continued, to which Crystal added, "I'm having more fun as it goes on, which is good. I did not have fun in the beginning."

On Monday, April 15, the Real Coco entrepreneur, 41, announced that she will not be returning to The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills ahead of its upcoming 14th season.

"I just wanted to share the news that I will not be coming back to film season 14 of Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. It's very bittersweet," Crystal said in a video shared on Instagram. "Never did I think I would have been asked to do the show in a million years, let alone film it for three seasons. Every single year I was asked back, it was a blessing. It was an honor."

Related: Annemarie Wiley Fired from Real Housewives of Beverly Hills After 1 Season: 'I'm Disappointed'

Crystal, who joined the Bravo hit in 2021 for season 11, indicated that "being the first Asian American on Beverly Hills was a lot of weight on my shoulders."

"I have since just have really understood the magnitude of what that meant for people," she continued. "I just wanted to thank you guys for being such an incredible support for me, and I hope that I have been for you, sharing my story with my ED [eating disorder], sharing stories about my father and his Alzheimer's. I've heard so many incredible stories from you guys."

"But this is not goodbye, this is a see you soon," she added. "I have some other things going on that I will be sharing with you soon that I'll still be able to connect with you because at the end of the day, that is been my biggest gift of filming."

Crystal's departure news comes weeks after newcomer Annemarie Wiley confirmed her own exit from the series after just one season. Kyle Richards, Erika Girardi, Dorit Kemsley, Garcelle Beauvais and Sutton Stracke also starred in season 13, which concluded in March with a three-part reunion. Filming for the new season has yet to begin.

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The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills can be streamed in full on Peacock.

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