Sutton Stracke has apologized for comments she made towards Crystal Kung Minkoff on the May 26 episode of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.
Sutton, who joined RHOBH as a full-time cast member in season 11 after being promoted from a friend of the Housewives, was accused of making insensitive remarks towards Crystal, another new Housewife who is the show's first Asian-American cast member.
In the controversial episode, Kyle Richards spoke about how she felt badly accusing Garcelle Beauvais of not paying for a promised donation to one of Kyle's charities. Garcelle explained that she was particularly hurt by the comment as it played into the stereotype that Black people do not pay their bills.
Crystal added that she, too, had experienced hurtful racial stereotypes over the years—which, for some reason, did not sit well with Sutton.
Instead of listening to Crystal share her experiences with anti-Asian racism—moments that Sutton, who is white, has never experienced—Sutton insisted that there was no need to talk about stereotypes as everyone has to deal with them. When Crystal insisted that their situations and experiences were different, Sutton doubled down.
"Because why? Because I'm a southern white girl?" she exclaimed. "Do you want to talk about when I see dumbass rednecks on the TV, and that's supposed to be me?"
Crystal retorted back, "So, are you one of those people that you say you don't see color?," suggesting that Sutton was implying she shouldn't have to discuss racism because it's not a part of her lived reality.
On Instagram, Sutton addressed the criticism, writing, "Despite Crystal and my strained relationship at the time, it was disrespectful to interrupt her and not listen to her express her truth. My life is blessed by the diversity of my relationships and I am committed to become a better listener to understand the painful realities experienced by people of color."
She concluded her post with, "I am sorry. I will do better and be better."
Sutton's followers reacted to the apology in the comments. One wrote, "It was pretty awful, and very hard to watch. THANK YOU for acknowledging it and committing to doing & being better. It really matters and I'm glad you're taking accountability so publicly."
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