Phaedra Parks Says She Hopes Kim Zolciak Returns to The Real Housewives of Atlanta Next: ‘She Is TV Gold’ (Exclusive)

Parks is making her return to the long-running Bravo reality series for its 16th season

Phaedra Parks is reclaiming her peach and returning to The Real Housewives of Atlanta for season 16 — and she is keen to see another RHOA alum back on the screen with her.

During a conversation about her new IT Cosmetics “Keep It Real” campaign, Parks — who announced her return to the Bravo reality series on Instagram on July 29 — tells PEOPLE she is hoping Kim Zolciak rejoins the cast to spice things up.

"If Kim Zolciak comes back, I think that would be very interesting. Kim is TV gold. She’s always been TV gold," Parks, 50, says, while acknowledging Zolciak's busy plate at the moment.

In addition to starring in MTV's The Surreal Life, Zolciak, 46, is mom to six children — daughters Brielle, 27, Ariana, 22, and Kaia, 10, and sons Kroy Jr. (nicknamed KJ), 13, Kash, 12 and Kane, 10 — with estranged husband Kroy Biermann.

"Right now, she’s got a lot going on," Parks says of her former costar. "Who would’ve thought Kim, who went from two daughters, now has got a whole little basketball team of children!"

Still, The Traitors star believes Zolciak would be a welcome addition to the show for both the cast and the fans.

"I think everyone would love to see Kim come back," the Married to Medicine star says. "She’s fun. I think it would add an element that the girls wouldn’t be expecting."

As for her own triumphant return to RHOA, Parks tells PEOPLE it's been "a real welcome home feeling." While fans have been clamoring for her to come back for some time now, she says she was simply waiting for the right moment. When that moment arrived, "they called and I answered," Parks explains.

The lawyer — who first joined RHOA in season 3 and departed in season 9 — says she hopes to bring the popular TV show "back to its heyday."

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"We were the No. 1 franchise of Housewives and I was a part of making that franchise a successful franchise. And I would love to bring the franchise back to its heyday," she says.

"I will say this, it’s going to be an amazing season," Parks teases. "I mean, it will definitely be reminiscent to the Housewives you love originally."

Porsha Williams also will be returning for season 16 following a two-season absence — and Parks is excited to reunite with her friend and deliver some entertaining moments. "Of course, I love Porsha," Parks tells PEOPLE. "We are the original frick and frack."

The season 16 cast will also include Drew Sidora, Shamea Morton Mwangi, Kelli Ferrell, Brittany Eady and Angela Oakley. Former main cast member Cynthia Bailey will appear as a friend.

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Season 16 of The Real Housewives of Atlanta does not have a premiere date yet. Previous seasons can be streamed on Peacock.