Cynthia Bailey Teases ‘Amazing’ RHOA Return and Praises Phaedra Parks: ‘Did Her Thing’

The upcoming Season 16 of The Real Housewives of Atlanta featured a cast reshuffle. Kandi Burruss, Marlo Hampton, and Sanya Richards-Ross all exited the series. That paved the way for some veteran cast members to pick up a peach. Porsha Williams returned, as did Cynthia Bailey in a friend of the housewives role. After Kenya Moore was suspended because of the scandal involving Brittany Eady, she twirled right off the show. So, Bravo brought back Phaedra Parks to liven up Season 16 of RHOA.

Cynthia Bailey claims that Season 16 of RHOA belongs to Phaedra Parks

Phaedra’s reality TV calendar is full. She competed in Season 2 of The Traitors and Season 33 of Dancing with the Stars. She also appeared in Married To Medicine. But Phaedra was excited to be back on RHOA. “We were the number one franchise of Housewives and I was a part of making that franchise a successful franchise. I would love to bring the franchise back to its heyday,” she previously stated.

According to PEOPLE, Cynthia confirmed that RHOA is going back to its roots during her appearance on the Two Ts In a Pod live podcast. “I feel like Atlanta was No. 1 for so long and I felt like we slid down. We were not where I think we should’ve been,” Cynthia explained. “It was fun to get back with the girls … there’s something to be said about bringing in some fresh blood and some of the old girls as well.”

Before Phaedra’s return, the show was “anchored” around Porsha and, without a doubt, her divorce from Simon Guobadia. However, Phaedra truly clocked in for work. Allegedly. “It was just amazing because I’ve never seen in the history of the show — with any franchise — a housewife, or past housewife, whatever you want to call it, come back with literally two weeks left,” Cynthia stated. “And come back as a full housewife with a full red peach in her hand.”

She continued, “I know she comes with us for our last international trip. We got a lot done. I will say Phaedra definitely did her thing in the two weeks that she had.” Cynthia added, “The season finale … this is her season.”

I’m excited to see Cynthia, plus Frick and Frack back together. Don’t let us down, RHOA!

Real Housewives of Atlanta is streaming on Peacock.