NeNe Leakes' Face Changed With Extensive Plastic Surgery After Her RHOA Exit

During her stint on the Real Housewives of Atlanta, NeNe Leakes prided herself as one who did not need plastic surgery to boost her natural appearance. The TV star once notably boasted, “Honey, I am black, and I don’t need a facelift.” However, following her controversial exit from the long-running franchise, fans noticed how Leakes’ face underwent a transformation.

Notably, NeNeLeakes never shied away from the possibility of ever going under the knife. Leakes was also quite open about her cosmetic surgeries at different points of her life on RHOA. The entertainer gave fans an insight into her journey through some major cosmetic procedures in 2022. This article will explore the RHOA alum’s plastic surgery journey since her exit from the show and through the years.

NeNe Leakes’ Face Transformation After Her Real Housewives Of Atlanta Exit

In the years after she ended her long-running career on the Real Housewives of Atlanta, NeNe Leakes kept up with her fans and caught their attention with other career achievements, particularly her appearance. The TV star would often pique fans’ curiosity over her changing looks, as many wondered how many plastic surgery procedures she had. The star was one of the Bravo stars like Kyle Richards, whose physical transformation received backlash from fans. Leakes’ facial features were specifically subjected to scrutiny from time to time.

According to a Reality Tidbit report from February 2024, the reality star made a hearty Instagram post showing off her assets and a new nose job, but fans couldn't help but be fixated on her face. Someone wrote, “Nene changing face is a travesty bc her face was so expressive. Now she looks like a Kardashian.” “I miss the old Nene. Why do celebrities do this to their face?” a second fan quipped.

While her followers might have found her changing looks unusual, NeNe Leakes has always believed in being able to enhance one’s beauty. During a 2013 interview with HuffPost, the TV star revealed:

At the time, the star admitted that she had some work done but had never touched her face. NeNe Leakes revealed that she had undergone surgery for her boobs because she didn’t “want breasts that hang down.” The star emphasized her openness, “If I had a facelift, I would say it.” Fans started noticing Leakes’ facial changes in 2016, and she was quite open about it. Speaking on "Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen" that same year, Leakes revealed why she underwent rhinoplasty:

The TV star further stated that she got her nose done because she wanted to “make it more beautiful for myself.” Speaking with Page Six, Dr. Matthew Schulman, a board-certified plastic surgeon in New York, shared his opinion about NeNe Leakes’ possible procedures. Schulman, who had never worked with the comedian, revealed that she likely “had the hump” in her nose “removed and her nasal tip lifted and narrowed.”

He corroborated NeNe Leakes’ WWHL explanation by stating that the procedure could be achieved “by removing some bone and cartilage from her nose.” Dr. Matthew Schulman stated that the procedure cost $9,000 to $12,000 in the price range. He added that the recovery period could take several weeks up to a full year.

NeNe Leakes, who is known for her complicated relationship with fellow star Cynthia Bailey, noted that she would always be honest about her facial changes. “I always keep it real, very very very real.” She would later reveal more of her facial surgery in 2021.

NeNe Leakes’ career profile and net worth according to Celebrity Net Worth:

Inside NeNe Leakes’s Body Transformation After Leaving The Real Housewives Of Atlanta

The “I Dream Of NeNe” star also laid it bare when she went under the knife for her body transformation. In 2022, the reality star chronicled her Brazilian butt lift and liposuction surgeries on social media. NeNe Leakes took fans through each procedure in a full-length clip she shared on Instagram. The star also revealed her doctor and how she became the ambassador for Georgia Plastic And Reconstructive Surgery. Leakes wrote:

The reality personality took time to walk her fans through her journey, noting her extensive research. The New York native explained that she initially wasn’t sure what procedures to undergo until her consultation with the physician. NeNe Leakes stated that she wanted a liposuction along her stomach, sides, and bra roll.

However, while discussing what to do with the fat that would be extracted, she deliberated on a possible BBL procedure. NeNe Leakes admitted that she was not a fan of the infamous procedure but opted to “fix my problems areas.” Dr. Stanley Okoro then affirmed that it was still a BBL procedure. Leakes revealed their conversation:

“And he’s like, a BBL. And I said no, there has to be something else. When you say BBL, I think you’re getting ready to come out of there with a big giant booty, and I just want to fix my problem areas. So we called it a…mini BBL.”

Dr Stanley Okoro explained NeNe Leakes’ new term as a procedure “performed for adults looking for that conservative, mature look.” Speaking to RealSelf, the surgeon stated that the goal of a mini NBL is not to get bigger buttocks. It’s for those looking for a better shape.” The cosmetic surgeon explained that the price range for a BBL lay between $10500 to $16000. He added:

NeNe Leakes further documented her BBL and liposuction procedure in more Instagram posts. She shared footage right from her arrival at the doctor’s office to when Dr. Okoro performed the procedure. She had not shared post-surgery results at the time of the post, but she promised to show off her “snatched look” with time.