‘Real Housewives of Atlanta’ Star Marlo Hampton Announces EXIT Ahead of Season 16

When the ‘Real Housewives of Atlanta’ returns for season 16, one familiar face will be missing: Marlo Hampton.

For, the reality star has announced that she is departing the long-running Bravo hit amid a confirmed cast shake-up.

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In a statement to PEOPLE, Hampton shared:

“My contract with Real Housewives of Atlanta ended when season 15 wrapped. This break from RHOA is a fresh start, allowing me the space to participate in new creative entertainment projects focused on my future, and not reliving my past.”

She continued:

“My nephews are transitioning into pivotal stages of their academic adolescence, and I am focused on my representation in their eyes and getting back to showing my multifaceted lifestyle of philanthropy, fashion, and fabulosity! I am thankful for this amazing platform of Housewives, which has allowed me to bring awareness to foster care, my non-profit Glam It Up, Inc., and showcase my fashion showroom, Le’Archive

I look forward to my continued relationship with Bravo and NBC Universal.”

First boarding the Bravo show as a “Friend” of the cast in season 4, Hampton pivoted to the role of “Guest” in seasons 6, 8, and 9.

She re-upped as a Friend again in seasons 10, 11, 12 and 13. For seasons 14 through 15, she finally secured the full-time peach holder status that had long eluded her.

Hampton, a polarizing presence on the show, now exits after just two seasons in the full-time role.

News of her seemingly amicable departure comes after Kandi Burruss announced that she is leaving and Porsha Williams revealed that she is returning for season 16.