It’s official.
After countless years of teasing leaving, NeNe Leakes has has announced her departure from ‘The Real Housewives of Atlanta.’
Full story below…
The shocking revelation came via Leakes herself, who told PEOPLE exclusively that she will not be returning for the hit show’s upcoming eighth season.
Wildly popular, the sassy reality star was the sole original left on the cast.
Explaining her decision to move on, the 47-year-old said in a statement:
“This was definitely a hard decision for me. Me and my husband [Gregg Leakes] have been going back and forth on it for weeks now. But my contract is up and I just think this is the right time. This is my opportunity to spread my wings and do different things.”
On her reasons for going:
“I feel a weight has been lifted off of my shoulders. There were times when I was a target. I won’t miss the negativity.
I think some of the girls will be happy [I’m leaving]. They always felt like I was the star, and they were never able to really shine with me there, so here’s their opportunity to shine.
[They get too comfortable, though] I’m not saying I’m gone forever. I’ll probably pop up and play with those girls every now and then.”
Never one to rest on her laurels, Leakes is looking firmly forward. She went on tease her forthcoming projects:
“I’m actually going to be doing a new primetime television show with a big legend. All of my fans will get to see me be really happy, witty and funny and tell all of those one liners that I always have said on Housewives.”
For years, NeNe has talked a good game about walking away and, after seeing her back each season, it felt more like she was saying so as a contract negotiation play than a serious threat. Needless to say, we’re shocked she legit went through with it this time around.
Her next move will be uber interesting, as will the shape and tone of the ‘Real Housewives’ when it returns this Fall.
WTF!
The show needs to be cancelled then.
PRAISE GOD THAT WICKED WITCH IS GONE!
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Now introduce us to an all no cast! Sweep the board with them tired heifers!
I never knew you disliked Nene but she was great for the show. I don’t see it lasting two seasons without her. But I do agree they might aswell get rid of the whole cast and get all new girls.
What show????? There is no show! No originals and it is left with a whole bunch of bickering non EXISTANT story line hiefers!! Lol NENE LEAKS YOU WONG BE MISSED BECAUSE WE ARENT WATCHING IT! WE WILL BE WATCHING YOUR OTHER VENTURES!!!
She made a great Exit! Lived out her Contract NEVER FELL FROM THE TOP! Most success of the bunch CLEARY! Didn’t get FIRED LOL SHE RESIGNED!! Kudos to her
I agree. ..that’s the final nail in the coffin.
Nene should have her own show if wendy has one.
No boo, Wendy Has been doing what she does since before the 90s in her radio career, Nene is fake and wouldnt last a day at doing what Wendy does
BXTCH, she will do well. Trust me
She’s leaving to be a New York taxi driver
AWE. WHAT IS THE SHOW GOING TO DO WITHOUT THE MOOSE? IT’S LIKE SEEING BULLWINKLE LEAVE THE ROCKY AND BULLWINKLE SHOW. KIII
Well I thought Andy said she and Kim are getting another spinoff
Cynthia is fired too bc we all know nene was her life support
Cynthia has a new leader now lol Kenya is Cynthias her backbone .
My prayers have been answered!!!!!!!!
Oh GODT now Kenya is really gonna think she is the QueenB.
I don’t really know how to feel about this. I’ve always had mixed feelings about Nene. I hate that self-righteous/higher than thou personality sometimes, but she’s still so funny sometimes and literally no one can read a bítch like her. I don’t think her departure will be good for the ratings though.
Well, I’m done with the show now. Sh*t was getting stale as hell and Nene was the only thing that kind of kept things…relevant? Anyway, bye nene. And I don’t see her new show lasting long either. Nene stay playing herself on these “acting” shows…
Girl, you’re heading straight into irrelevancy lane. DEATH at you thinking you’re some hot A lister.
The Show Will Be Cancelled. Unless they bring in QUEEN KHIA! Lol
Yeah It has to be someone crazy who already has a name for being off the hook
We don’t have time to build a new queen bee with such a big franchise
Kia the rapper who sang “my neck my back” if so lmfao
Khia*
Awww even though I didn’t care for her much this season, I hate to see her leaving. She is one of the main reasons for the success and popularity of the show. RHOA needs new and younger castmates… Spice it up a little bit..
Wow, I hear about her all the time.. I’m probably the only person who has never seen this show. Like NEVER. Never had a desire. I wish her the best though. I know K Michelle is not really that relatable to NeNe due to her being in the music but K is the only person I know of who was and is able to excel after turning down reality TV. Yea. She has her own now but the whole rebellious soul era was all solo.
Good Luck to NeNe though.
I really didn’t like Nene’s arrogance and delusion, but I kind of hate to see her go. Her and Kenya really make that show happen tbh.
It all makes sense why Cynthia got off the Nene train she knew Nene was leaving oneday.
Nene L is having a show with Kim zoc who used to be on rhoa show
Stick a fork in it folks…
RHOA is officially DONE without Mrs. Nene Leakes.
She is the ONLY reason why it lasted so long. Everybody else was just prompts in the background.
As for her future, I believe that she will do well IF given the right opportunities.
BTW I know that Wendy Williams is nervous. If Nene gets her own show, she WILL shine.
Aunt Wendy has nothing to worry about lol trust me.
Trust me….Actually she is.
I already know BUT You’ll see
NeNe is the show. The other girls are boring, and it just won’t be the same without her. I feel like the show has run its course (naturally) anyway.
So AGAIN, she will be basically playing herself on TV. YAWN! Stretch yourself girl, how about playing someone you’re not…Oh wait, you can’t.
Bring Sheree & Marlo back.
Welp, I will no longer be tuning in.
Ohh, they should cast Vivica Fox. So she can put Crazy Kenya in her place, just like she did on Celebrity Apprentice bwahaha
Let me give a round of applause to Nene Leakes. This woman is walking away from Rhoa with lots of coins, fame and lots of projects in front of her.
Some former housewives have been coming and going without keeping huge projects and a gradual fame like Nene did.
Shout out to her husband for keeping her grounded when she was going crazy. I’ll miss Nene on the show. Now, i’ll be watching just for Kandi and phaedra ( if she stays on the panel).
Yea!!!!!! Now Andy can bring some new castmembers to be showcased. Tired of the same bullying every week.