NeNe Leakes Says She's Open toReal Housewives of AtlantaReturn: 'If They Called, I Would Answer'

Mar. 15, 2025

NeNe Leakes on ‘The Tamron Hall Show’.Photo:Tamron Hall Show/ABC

Tamron Hall Show/ABC

NeNe Leakeshas not closed the door on the possibility of a return toThe Real Housewives of Atlanta.

The reality legend, who was one of the original stars of the series when it premiered on Bravo in October 2008, famously fell out with the network andHousewivesexecutive producerAndy Cohennot long after leaving the series in 2020. But while promotingMe & My Homegirl, her new podcast with Sierra Glamshop, Leakes, 57, made it clear that time has healed her wounds.

“If they called, I would answer,” she said in a sneak peek of an appearance onTamron Hall,airing Tuesday, Jan. 14. “I would need to hear what they have to say.”

“We have put a lot of things behind us that some people know, some people don’t know,” said Leakes, referring to her 2022discrimination lawsuit against Bravo, NBC Universal and Cohen that wasmutually dismissedwithout prejudice that same year. “We’ve ended all of those things, we’ve moved forward.”

She went on to note that she’ll once again be appearing on E!’s red carpet after show for March’s upcoming Oscars. “We have our relationship. We’re kind of dating slowly,” Leakes said. “So we’ll see what happens.”

“I do miss the trips, I do miss the check,” she added. “I don’t miss the arguments.”

Asked if she’s spoken with Cohen directly, Leakes clarified: “I haven’t spoken to him, but I’m not against speaking to him. But I haven’t spoken to him.”

“We’re not in meetings. We did settle our dispute with each other,” she added. “We did settle everything.”

Fans have long been pining for Leakes to return toRHOA.EvenWickedactressCynthia Erivowas singing her praises during a cover interview forW Magazine’s Best Performances issue.

“I am a NeNe Leakes fan. I love her,” said the Tony Award, Grammy Award and Emmy Award winner. She then urged Bravo to return Leakes to the franchise. “Where is she? Bring her back, please. She’s great.”

There’s no doubt that Leakes' quick wit, hilarious reads and no-nonsense attitude helped catapult the series into success — just look at the number of memes she’s inspired over the years. But the series recently underwent a major reboot for its upcoming sixteenth season, something Leakes even notes would be a barrier for her to come back.

“I felt like if I was there, they would have to put certain girls around me,” she said onThe Breakfast Club. “All of those girls who are there now, I don’t know who they are.”

NeNe Leakes while hosting E!’s 2024 Emmy Awards after show.Brandon Hickman/E! Entertainment via Getty

Brandon Hickman/E! Entertainment via Getty

Shamea Morton Mwangi, who has appeared on the show in a guest and friend role dating back to season 5, has been upgraded to a full-time Housewife, too.

The rest of the cast will include singer and actressDrew Sidora, businesswoman and podcast hostBrittany Eady, restaurateur and Food Network alumKelli Ferrell, andAngela Oakley, wife of NBA greatCharles Oakley.

Bravo has not yet set a date forRHOA’s premiere, though it is expected this year.

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Tamron Hallairs weekdays (check local listings). Previous season ofReal Housewives of Atlantacan be streamed on Peacock.

source: people.com