Rebecca Minkoff Says She Made “Big Mistake” With Pregnancy Prank and Reveals Why She Did It, Plus RHONY Star Claps Back at Erin Lichy for Shading Her Gifted Bags

Rebecca Minkoff said her pregnancy prank was a “big mistake” on Real Housewives of New York City, and she revealed why she did it. The fashion designer also clapped back at Erin Lichy for shading the tote bags she gifted the cast.

Last month at Bravo Fan Fest, Erin addressed the bags made by Rebecca’s company. She pointed out that the product was ‘gifted’ rather than purchased, and she claimed it was ‘not my style.’

Meanwhile, fans and castmates were upset by Rebecca faking a pregnancy as a prank to find out which co-stars would leak it. Many felt the storyline was produced and over-the-top. Others expressed that her prank was insensitive because co-stars Ubah Hassan, Jessel Taank, and Brynn Whitfield have been open about their fertility struggles.

On the Virtual Reali-Tea podcast, Rebecca admitted that she made a “big mistake” with the prank.

“In hindsight, [it was] terrible subject matter. I own it,” she said. “I had no idea Jessel was going through what she was going through, nor Ubah, nor Brynn. But any woman who’s going through infertility. Like, bad idea. I struggled with it myself.”

“The goal was let’s find the liar,” she went on. “Let’s find the rumor starter. Let’s find the s**t stirrer. And that was the goal.”

But Racquel Chevremont, who was also at the interview, interrupted her.

“Is that what everyone was upset about, was the actual subject matter? Or just the fact that it was, like, a produced prank?” asked Racquel.

“Both,” said Rebecca.

♬ original sound – Virtual Reali-Tea by Page Six

Rebecca also clapped back at Erin’s shady comment about her bag.

“You know what, she’s not in fashion, so I have very low expectations [about Erin’s style],” said Rebecca, who then addressed Erin’s former handbag line. “I’m waiting for the bag … Is her company still around? I don’t know.”

Jessel, who was also present in the interview, said she “like[s]” this new Rebecca.

“We need more of this!” said Racquel, via @queensofbravo on Instagram.

“Where was she during filming?” Rebecca then joked about herself.

New episodes of The Real Housewives of New York City air Tuesday nights on Bravo.