NeNe Leakes Opens Up About Leaving ‘RHOA’: Says It’s Time To ‘Spread My Wings’
NeNe Leakes is officially leaving Real Life Housewives of Atlanta after seven seasons. The reality TV star told People it is time to move on and focus on other projects. She said it was not a decision that came easily for her and her husband, but it feels like the right time to part ways with the show, which she has been with since its beginning.
“This was definitely a hard decision for me. Me and my husband [Gregg Leakes] have been going back and forth on it for weeks now. But my contract is up and I just think this is the right time. This is my opportunity to spread my wings and do different things.”
Leakes made the emotional announcement to her fans on her official Twitter account Monday night.
This is so hard for me to type! I cry as I do so! After seven seasons I have decided not to return to #RHOA… http://t.co/BDqiPwmNM2
— NeNe Leakes (@NeNeLeakes) June 30, 2015
NeNe is excited about the change and assures her fans they will still get to see her regularly.
“I’m actually going to be doing a new primetime television show with a big legend. All of my fans will get to see me be really happy, witty and funny and tell all of those one liners that I always have said on Housewives.”
NeNe Leakes admits she will not miss the negativity, saying, “I feel a weight has been lifted off of my shoulders.” She adds that some of the girls “will be happy” she’s leaving, because it will give them their moment to shine.
“They always felt like I was the star, and they were never able to really shine with me there, so here’s their opportunity to shine.”
Some of NeNe Leakes’ cast members may be happy to see her go, but her adoring fans feel much differently. An outpouring of sadness followed Leakes’ announcement.
@NeNeLeakes NOOOOOO!!!!! WHY??? YOU’RE THE STAPLE/GLUE THAT HELD THE SHOW TOGETHER.??? — Laura Hunter (@newmom888) June 30, 2015
@NeNeLeakes Hate to see you go! I can’t think of 1 person who can carry the show. I just lost interest in watching season 8. #sad time :(.
— LaTonya Willis (@latonyasharee) June 30, 2015
Andy Cohen said NeNe Leakes “is always welcome back to the house she helped build.” It sounds like she may take him up on the offer, as she says she is not leaving forever and may “pop up and play with those girls every now and then.” However, for now, the “queen” says farewell.
The Real Life Housewives of Atlanta celebrates its 100th episode on Sunday, July 12, with the debut of The Real Life Housewives of Atlanta: 100th Episode Watch What Happens Live Special. The hour-long special airs on Bravo at 8 p.m. ET/PT, and promises to “take a trip down memory lane and relive the series’ most unforgettable and buzziest moments.”
What do you think of NeNe Leakes leaving RHOA?
[Image by Imeh Akpanudosen / Getty Images]
