First Look: NeNe Leakes Returns to Bravo in ‘RHUGT: Roaring 20th’

NeNe Leakes is back, and Bravo has the footage to prove it.

The network has unveiled a first look at ‘The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip: Roaring 20th,’ and the icon’s comeback anchors the whole thing.

Full story below…

Inside the ‘RHUGT: Roaring 20th’ First Look

The clip opens with Leakes arriving at Porsha Williams‘ home to help her pack. What follows is part catch-up, part victory lap.

Williams runs through the travelling party, which includes Teresa Giudice, Vicki Gunvalson, Kyle Richards, Gizelle Bryant, Lisa Barlow and Luann de Lesseps.

The route covers Orange County, Beverly Hills, Atlanta, Miami and New York before closing at Dorinda Medley’s Bluestone Manor.

#RHUGT Season 6, Episode 1 FIRST LOOK. Season Premiere, August 9th 9/8c on @Bravotv. (Source: @Bravotv @NBCUniversal) pic.twitter.com/L8FhdHMuoT

— OMFGRealityTV (@OMFGRealityTV) August 4, 2026

When NeNe Actually Shows Up

Williams then confirms the detail fans wanted.

“The queen herself will be making an appearance when we enter Atlanta.”

She frames the return as overdue, questioning how anyone could mark 20 years of the franchise without its defining figure.

Leakes offers a prediction of her own. Atlanta, she says, is going up.

Her First Bravo Appearance Since 2020

Leakes led ‘The Real Housewives of Atlanta’ across seasons 1 to 7, returning for 10 to 12. Her exit came at the pandemic-era reunion, closed out by the laptop shut heard round the franchise.

She confirmed the comeback in January, describing it as the end of a long journey. Notably, this is a spin-off appearance rather than a full return, and reports this week suggest no ‘RHOA’ Season 18 contracts have gone out yet.

‘RHUGT: Roaring 20th’ premieres Sunday (August 9) at 9pm ET, streaming next day on Peacock.