The upcoming Season 16 of Real Housewives of Atlanta was pretty touch-and-go at one point. Kenya Moore exited mid-filming due to an alleged scandal, and many fans were curious about how production would proceed. Luckily, Phaedra Parks answered the call to come help pick up the pieces.
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Phaedra says that even with the cast shakeup – Kandi Burruss also left, deciding to make Season 15 her last – we’re all in for a good show. According to Phaedra, the new ladies who signed on bring a lot of big peach energy to the table.
Phaedra Parks says the RHOA cast shakeup was “definitely a good thing”
Phaedra spoke with Page Six on Tuesday night after making her first performance on Season 33 of Dancing With the Stars. She wanted to reassure RHOA’s fans that they’re in for a treat when the show returns because the new cast members really bring the fire!
Phaedra explained, “We’ve got some new ladies that are just firecrackers They shook up the cast, but it’s definitely…it’s a good thing, it’s a good thing! I think people are really going to enjoy it.”
Phaedra said she had a “wonderful” time with the familiar faces that returned. The “Frick” to her “Frack,” Porsha Williams is back. Former friend-of, Shamea Morton Mwangi, was promoted to full-time. And, Cynthia Bailey is back as a friend-of. The brand newbies include Kelli Ferrell, Brittany Eady, and Angela Oakley.
In Phaedra’s opinion, this cast has the perfect recipe to right the ship. “I mean, the gumbo is gumbo-ing again,” said Phaedra. “So the Titanic, honey, it’s the love boat, now. It’s coming back up.”
There still isn’t an exact premiere date for Season 16, but it’s likely to return in early 2025. In the meantime, Phaedra’s feeling good and hoping to surpass other Housewives’ traditionally short runs in the DWTS ballroom alongside her partner, Val Chmerkovskiy.
“I feel awesome! I mean, we’ve been practicing, and I wasn’t sure what I was getting myself into, but I’ve got a great teacher here. He is excellent. He’s just very personable, so that’s been really fun, and I actually like him, he’s cool.”
You can catch Phaedra on past seasons of RHOA, Married to Medicine, and The Traitors on Peacock. She competes on Dancing With the Stars Tuesdays at 8/7c. on ABC and Disney+. It streams on Hulu the next day.