Former “Real Housewives of Atlanta” star Nene Leakes broke the internet Thursday afternoon when she confirmed that she will not be returning to the hit reality TV show following months of speculation about whether she’d come back.
The former reality star shared the news on her YouTube channel on Sept. 17, saying failed contract talks formed part of the reason for her departure. She admitted on the 00:45 mark that this was a difficult decision.
“I have been on an extremely, extremely, long, exhausting, tiring, emotional negotiation. There has been a lot of emotions flying from both sides. It has been hard, and I have made the very hard and difficult decision to not be a part of ‘Real Housewives of Atlanta’ season 13.”
The 53-year-old said although her time has come to an end, her biggest accomplishment was being part of something that broke barriers. “I’m just so happy that I can say that I was a part of a genre that open up doors for Black ensemble reality shows to step up and be a part of what we all know and love so much [about] reality TV.”
Leakes went on to thank the cast and crew, her team, as well as Bravo TV for “all the memories, the laughs, the tears.”
This news comes hours after Leakes reactivated her Instagram account and posted a photo of herself in black lingerie with the caption “sometimes you have to hit the reset button.”
The “RHOA” OG deactivated her page on Aug. 25 after posting a series of cryptic messages online. Leakes has been part of the show since its debut back in 2008, something she said she can’t believe took off. “I started on the Real Housewives of Atlanta in 2008. We took off like a rocket. I mean we took off. You could’ve never told me that I would star in this little show and it’ll still be going strong 13, 14 years later. And it is.”
The former reality star promised this isn’t the end, but only a new beginning.
“RHOA” season 13 is currently in production.
Fans of the OG Housewife expressed sadness over her departure.
“This almost feels like a grievance or death of a a family member..2020 sucks. We will miss you NeNe and will NOT watch without you. Kandi Kenya everyone except PORSHA sucks and they all gunna gang up on Porsha I wish Porsha would quit too and go HARD CORE ACTIVIST that’s her calling.”
“Nene was the heart of RHOA. These S13 girls could never!”
“I see a lot of pain in the beginning of the this video Nene 😞 This comes off as not just you returning to the new season but returning .. ever. 😞 We, your fans, will ride w/ you wherever you go! You are & will FOREVER be the HBIC of RHOA! 👑”
“LOVE YOU NENE LEAKES GOD BLESS YOU…NEXT CHAPTER WILL BE GREATER.”
