While tons of fans will argue about the most successful Real Housewives franchise, there's no denying that The Real Housewives of Atlanta ranks pretty high on the list. Based in one of the most bustling cities in Georgia, this show is a guilty pleasure for a plethora of different audiences. The biggest appeal of this show is, of course, its cast. The show welcomes a selection of feisty characters, all of whom are determined to come out on top.
Even if certain fans disregard reality TV as a whole, they have probably heard of Nene Leakes. Not only is she the queen of memes, but she's also one of The Real Housewives of Atlanta's most prized assets. So, with so much prestige and status, why did she, like other housewives before her, decide to leave the show altogether?
Leakes Took a Stand Against Bravo
A year into the show, Nene worked alongside Denene Miller to produce the book Never Make The Same Mistake Twice, a memoir that offers insight into the star's unique look at love. The reality star has also dabbled in other parts of the TV world, gathering small roles in hit shows like Glee and The New Normal. Fans of The Real Housewives of Atlanta will agree that Nene Leakes is a Jack of All Trades and offers an abundance of entertainment whenever she appears on screen. In 2020, Leakes dropped a massive bombshell, announcing that she would be leaving The Real Housewives of Atlanta after 12 seasons. In an emotional YouTube video, the star notes:
I have made the hard and very difficult decision to not be a part of The Real Housewives of Atlanta Season 13. It wasn't an easy decision for me [...] I have been on an extremely, extremely long, exhausting, tiring, emotional negotiation. There has been a lot of emotion flying on both sides. I'm just so happy that I can say that I was a part of a genre that opened doors for Black ensemble reality shows.
In April 2022, she filed a federal lawsuit against NBC Universal, Bravo, True Entertainment, Truly Original, and Andy Cohen. The star accused these companies of discriminating against her, and she made multiple statements about Bravo creating a toxic work environment. Thus, at this point, fans were beginning to realize that Nene had left the show because the networks refused to honor her worth. When she appeared on Bethenny Frankel's rewatch podcast ReWives, Leakes spoke about how she was receiving less screen time compared to her peers:
I was given less and less episodes every season. I felt like I was being phased out. I didn't understand why I was being given less and less episodes and I was asking "Why am I given less and less and less every season and everyone else is getting more?" And I was constantly being told by the executives in the offices that I was unhappy.
Yet, just a few months after filing the lawsuit, Leakes dismissed the case. Audiences aren't really sure why she decided to let her legal battle go, but many supported her claims of racism within the franchise. She also repaired her broken relationship with Andy Cohen and frequently mentions that the pair are now on good terms, even if they no longer speak as much as they used to. Thus, all of this drama supports the idea that Leakes was pushed out of the show.
Nene Was the Face of the Real Housewives
Fans Are Still Hoping That Nene Will Return
Since departing from The Real Housewives of Atlanta, Nene has unfortunately suffered a plethora of ups and downs. Most notably, she lost her husband Gregg in 2021. The pair first met in the late 1990s but got divorced in 2010. However, the couple got back together a few years later and married again in 2013. Sadly, Nene announced in June 2018 that her husband had been diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer. While he was cancer-free for a couple of years, he passed away in September 2021.
Although audiences are pleased that Nene is continuing to do well, especially after leaving The Real Housewives of Atlanta, they would prefer it if she was back on the show. Even Wicked star Cynthia Erivo recently shared her love of the show and how she desperately wants Leakes to reunite with her former co-stars. But, it seems that Bravo must meet a few crucial criteria before Leakes will make her return. During an interview with TMZ, Leakes said: