NeNe Leakes made headlines yesterday when she announced her ‘Real Housewives Of Atlanta’ return.
Trumpeting her comeback with the phrase “all hail the Queen,” the reality star sent fans into a frenzy following months of rumors.
What she didn’t divulge, however, were specifics about her role in the Bravo hit’s 10th season.
Well, according to TMZ, Leakes will will indeed be back on RHOA – but in a limited capacity.
Sources aka NeNe’s team cite her “other commitments” as the reason for her inability to sign-up full-time. It would appear she has a similar deal as fellow original Kim Zolciak, whose part-time return was confirmedback in April.
Filming has begun for the show’s new season, but NeNe has yet to shoot any scenes.
Rumors have been rampant that the R&B outfit would be assembling for a reality series and now said talk has been confirmed.
TMZ report that the group – comprised of Kandi Burruss, Tiny Harris, LaTocha and Tamika Scott – will star in a “docu-series” for Bravo.
Currently filming in Atlanta, the show will chronicle Xscape’s preparation for their first performance in 20 years – which takes place next month at the Essence Music Festival in New Orleans.
Set to premiere in November, the as yet untitled series will interestingly air alongside Bravo smash as ‘The Real Housewives Of Atlanta.’ A move designed to maximize exposure – especially given the presence of Kandi on both shows.
Mona Scott-Young, creator of VH1’s ‘Love & Hip Hop’ franchise, will serve as executive producer.
Last night’s episode of ‘The Real Housewives of Atlanta’ spelled disaster for the attorney Phaedra Parks.
In it, her Svengalian efforts to use her good friend Porsha Williams to defame her nemesis Kandi Burruss were uncovered resulting in one of the most explosive reunion showings to date.
By plugging a book penned to “expose” Park’s alleged criminal ties written by one Angela Stanton.
The author, rapper, wife and mother, guides us through her struggles into her early adult years in Hotlanta. By fate, she lives a hustler’s life of crime with none other than Real Housewives of Atlanta’s own, Phaedra Parks. By a twist of fate, her life crashes sending her on a trip to a darkened place called hell. Urban Author, Angela Stanton, survives to give a raw, revolutionary account of her daring journey to redemption. In her sophomore book, Lies Of A Real Housewife, Angela Stanton opens her past life for public viewing.
This Sunday brings with it the dramatic finale of the ‘Real Housewives Of Atlanta’ season 9 – and it appears Bravo have saved the full-on fireworks ’til last.
Viewers have watched on as private talk about lady ponds and dungeons has descended into public chaos.
The rumor mill has put Phaedra Parks in the middle of the madness, with suggestion that she is the puppet-master. Allegedly.
And while the answer will arrive in a mere matter of days, a newly released preview shows Porsha Williams and Kandi Burruss cry tears (both of the angry and sad variety) in the aftermath of the “reveal.”
See what we mean below…
Looks like must-see TV. We’ll be tuning in this Sunday. Will you?
Since twirling onto The Real Housewives Of Atlanta in 2012, Kenya Moore has been a weekly hot topic.
Whether it’s the trials of her private life, professional triumphs, or sassy clap-backs, the former Miss USA continues to have the world talking.
Now, she’s parlaying her popularity into the launch of the Kenya Moore Hair Care line.
That Grape Juice caught up with the budding mogul to discuss the venture, as well as a whole lot of ‘Real Housewives’ tea – including the reunion and cast news for next season.
As ever, we ask the questions you really want answers to. Enjoy.
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Kenya Moore Shouts Out That Grape Juice
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Sam (That Grape Juice): We have so much to get through, but let me first say congratulations on the launch of Kenya Moore Hair Care.
Kenya Moore: Thank you so much!
TGJ: You’re welcome. Tell us a little bit about why you decided to start your own hair care line?
KM: I’ve always had a passion for hair care. When I was a little girl my grandmother always said that hair was your crowning glory. That just always stuck to me my entire life and I had just developed this affinity for healthy hair. Whether it’s long or short, however you wear it, I just believe in having healthy hair. I wanted to empower other women to feel good about the hair that’s growing out of their head versus the hair they are putting on their heads so to speak.
TGJ: Cool. From the inception to the actualization of [the line], tell us a little bit about how you set the wheels in motion once you realized it was something that you wanted to do.
KM: Well, you know, I’m a film and TV producer by trade. I’m used to putting things together from developing projects. I sort of approached it like an actual project of mine. I did a lot of research. Basically it started from when I was maybe 12 years old and developing this affinity for great hair care products and testing everything I could put my hands on. It’s figuring out what products worked, what ingredients worked and starting to nail down the formulations. As a former beauty queen and actress and model it was really difficult for me to maintain my healthy hair. I had a lot of breakage. I had a lot of damage but nothing worked so it just led to try to research it on my own by testing out products that worked and finally being able to put something together where I could put my name on it and formulations that I knew were proven and tried and tested and put through.
TGJ: As with any creation, there’s bound to be hurdles and stumbling blocks. What are some of the challenges that you’ve faced along the way?
KM: Honestly, this is what I do. I deliver. So the real primary challenges centered on just making sure that the product delivered on our promises. Will it make your hair stronger? Yes. Will it make your hair healthier? Yes. Will it make your hair less damaged? All of the claims that we make; I just wanted to make sure that the product delivered and it does. That was the main hurdle was making sure that once I got it to the testing phase that it really worked. I’m happy to say that all of our reviews and most of the reviews I’ve seen on the product solidified the fact that people really have responded great to the product line and actually wanted to continue to develop more and more products.
TGJ: Awesome. ‘The Real Housewives of Atlanta’ platform has proven a very powerful promotional tool. For those not really in the know, how much leeway are you given to plug your projects while the storylines play out on the show?
KM: Well obviously they’re following our real lives so we can film it; it doesn’t necessarily mean that it makes the air. I’ve been developing this line for over five years since season six. At the end of season five I already knew that it’s something that I wanted to do and I’ve been working on it. I announced it at the reunion of season five that I was working on a hair care line. In that time, I’ve filmed scenes meeting with chemists, filmed scenes with test subjects, filmed with my staff. There are so many steps that I had to go through which were filmed but never made it to air. It’s not under our control at all what they end up filming. It’s sort of a gamble but yes, as you know it is an amazing global marketing tool, which is one of the main reasons I wanted to join the cast and this show because I understood the gravity of this platform.
TGJ: A lot of the ladies have entrepreneurial hustles on the show. Is there anyone else that you admire for doing what you are doing as well?
KM: Absolutely. We have to definitely recognize Kandi for her entrepreneurial spirit. She has several businesses and just doing a final plan every day. Even her son has a clothing line. He’s like one-years-old. He already has his own business. Of course, Cynthia who has her eyewear line-her sunglass and her eyewear. So I only can respect a woman that’s trying to do things for herself. It is very important for us to support one another and I have to say that I’m just very proud of them for developing their own businesses and product lines as well.
TGJ: Definitely.
We know that you’ve got gorgeous hair. We see it week in, week out on the show but on a day that perhaps you wanted to add a bit of volume, would you ever rock anything from Porsha’s [hair] collection?
KM: Come on, that’s a shady boots question [laughs].
TGJ: Okay, moving on. Delving into the show a little bit. We’ve seen part of the reunion. It’s been quite intense and there’s still more to come. How was the reunion for you and what can fans expect to play out?
KM: It was definitely a better reunion for me because I’m not in the hot seat. I think I had a very good year – in terms of the relationships I have with the other girls. Much less drama than I’ve had in the previous years. I feel really good about where I am with my relationship with Shereé.
She’s the only person I’ve really had conflict with throughout the season. We ended in a very good place. We’ve been working together to produce … Well I’m producing a PSA on domestic violence with her being involved as well. I’m really happy with the way that that relationship played out.
[As for the others], the fans can just expect to see something that just … I don’t know. It’s definitely epic. There will be a lot of years of secrets being revealed. I think that you just have to watch and see how that all plays out. It’s definitely one for the history books. It’s our first four-part cut reunion so that speaks for itself.
TGJ: Ok. Rounding up on the Real Housewives side of things; are you going to be back for another season?
KM: Well, come on. How can they have another season without me? What would they do?
TGJ: Great answer [Laughs].
There’s a lot of talk about other cast-mates coming and going. There’s talk of Kim Zolciak coming back; Phaedra not coming back. Do you have any insight into that? Have you started taping? What’s the situation on that front?
KM: There definitely is going to be a shakeup. I think that we’ll probably-hopefully get a new housewife or one or two. It’s just that Kim and Nene are both negotiating to come back in some capacity, whether they’re full-time or part-time, I really don’t know. I do believe that-it’s our tenth year so I know that they’re going to do something different for season ten. It’s a huge benchmark. I’m sure you’ll see a lot of your favorites coming back. I’m sure the fans will see a lot of their favorites coming back.
TGJ: That is awesome. Bravo has been really successful with formats such as the ‘Housewives’ and ‘Married to Medicine.’ Do you watch any of those other shows and if so, who do you think would make a good addition to ‘The Real Housewives of Atlanta’ cast?
KM: That’s very difficult to say. I do watch some of the other shows. I just started watching [Real Housewives Of] Potomac. I’ve seen ‘Married to Medicine’ a few times. It’s very difficult because they haven’t hired a new a permanent housewife and re-hired them since I joined the cast. The bar has been set very high unfortunately.
TGJ: Bloop!
KM: [Laughs] They’ll get them but they don’t stay around. What was it at the end of the second question? I’m sorry.
TGJ: That was a great answer.
Switching gears, tell us a little-known fact about Kenya Moore?
KM: A little-known fact … I think I’m a total goofball. A lot of people have the image of me that I always dressed up in heels and I’m always in full hair and make-up and designer clothes. In reality, I’m somewhat of a tomboy and I definitely don’t like to wear make-up most of the time and I love to be silly and just really pretty much hangout at home with my friends and family.
TGJ: You’ve been on The Housewives for about five years now. We’ve seen you dabble in many arenas from acting; which is obviously your mainstay, to fitness to building “Moore Manor.” What other ventures can we expect from you moving forward? What’s on your to-do list?
KM: I’ve got a lot on my to-do list but my baby right now is Kenya Moore Hair Care. I am so excited about this hair care line and bringing more products to the consumers. We’ve got amazing feedback. We’re growing exponentially. We are in retail stores now which is Valley Beauty Supply and other stores coming soon to sign a big distribution deal in North America for a lot of top stores across the U.S. and Canada.
TGJ: Congratulations.
KM: Thank you. I’m just ready to focus on the success of the brand and just bringing the best possible hair care to the masses as possible. It’s affordable luxury and really I’m just trying to be the next Madam C.J. Walker; empowering women to feel good about themselves one head of hair at a time [laughs].
TGJ: You are renowned for throwing shade grenades. How did you learn to read like that?
KM: Shade grenades? [hysterical laughter]
TGJ: Yes. Shade grenades. Where did you learn to read like that?
KM: [Still laughing] I think you just have to be quick-witted. It’s just really, to me, based in humor. It’s not really serious. I like to throw funny shade versus cool shade. I’m just silly and I think that just comes from me being silly and quick-witted.
TGJ: You’re definitely that. The final question, “Kenya Moore, what is your proudest achievement?”
KM: Wow. That’s a good question. I can’t pick one. I think just me being able to be fearless in my pursuit of whatever endeavor that I have. Whether it’s business, life, family, building myself-for me just being the person I’m meant to be and just going on that journey.
The Real Housewives Of Atlanta promises an action-packed, four part reunion for its season 9 climax.
While some of the ladies are clashing over “dungeons” and “lady ponds,” Kenya Moore and Sheree Whitfield have been trading jabs over homes. Or, as they call them, Moore Manor and Chateau Sheree.
And the sparring spilled into the first part of the reunion special, which airs this Sunday.
In a newly released trailer, the ladies don’t hold back when remarking on each other’s abodes.
Petty, no doubt, but hilarious for sure. Check it out…
Both women recently invited the cameras in to see how they’re living. Whose do you prefer? By the looks of each, both Sheree and Kenya are winning.
After a slightly longer than anticipated spell off-air, the ‘Real Housewives Of Potomac’ are officially back!
The show, which makes for a slighter more upscale take on the ‘Atlanta franchise, promises drama in earnest for the “etiquette-obsessed” cast.
Received well in its first season, RHOP’s sophomore run sees Gizelle, Karen, and all but one of the original Housewives return, with newcomer Monique Samuels joining the mix.
Set to hit Bravo on April 2nd, watch the sizzling first look trailer after the jump…
NeNe Leakes will not be returning as a regular to ‘The Real Housewives Of Atlanta.’
The news came courtesy of the reality star herself during a sit-down interview on The Steve Harvey Show.
Usually a fire-cracker, a surprisingly subdued Leakes explained that she “felt like Kelly Ripa” after not being contacted to appear in season 9 of the Bravo hit.
[As widely reported, Ripa made headlines after being blindsided by the departure of her co-host on ‘Kelly & Michael’]
Her words ring somewhat odd given that she also didn’t feature as a peach-holding housewife in the last season of the show.
In any case, fans of outspoken Leakes needn’t riot just yet. For, she offered an optimistic outlook on her future with the franchise.
‘Love & Hip Hop Atlanta’s latest season continues to make moves for VH1 on a ratings front.
Still celebrating news that it had received over 19 million views following the airing of last week’s episode, its cast are to learn just how many viewers tuned in to catch Monday night’s offering.
