NeNe Leakes To ‘Fashion Police’ As Joan Rivers Replacement?

NeNe Leakes may be a strong contender to take the hosting seat of the late Joan Rivers on Fashion Police, assuming anyone could really replace the legendary comedienne who tragically passed away earlier this month.

Leakes has starred on the Bravo reality show Real Housewives of Atlanta since 2008. The equally opinionated (and some would say equally obnoxious) Kathy Griffin is also apparently in the running, as is Tyra Banks.

The leak about Leakes surfaced on the Perez Hilton gossip site.

“We have EXCLUSIVELY learned that NeNe Leakes is also a frontrunner for the gig not only because she has started her own clothing line, is definitely one of Atlanta’s fashionistas, is opinionated, and has serious comedic timing, but also because E! is looking to diversify their panel with a different ethnicity.”

Along with the E! Network, Melissa Rivers, Joan’s daughter and the show’s executive producer, previously announced that Fashion Police would return to television in January 2015 with a new host on the panel.

As far as the competition between NeNe Leakes and Kathy Griffin for the gig, Reality TV Magazine points out, “Although Kathy boasts a sense of humor perfect for the likes of ‘Fashion Police,’ she doesn’t necessarily possess the fashion experience necessary for the show. NeNe, however, has long been deemed one of Atlanta’s hottest fashionistas — and she now has her very own HSN line!”

In addition to the Real Housewives, NeNe Leakes has appeared on Glee, Dancing with the Stars, The Celebrity Apprentice, and The New Normal. As The Inquisitr previously reported, she is also scheduled to join the cast of the Broadway version of Cinderella.

Reality Tea added the following about the NeNe Leakes to Fashion Police rumor.

It’s no surprise that NeNe is a contender — she’s often Andy Cohen’s go-to WWHL guest on nights when they do fashion critiques of big awards shows and she is certainly not afraid to say what’s on her mind. With NeNe making no secret that this will be her last season on ‘RHOA,’ the NBC network is looking for a place to put one of their biggest stars. E! (which carries ‘Fashion Police’) is also under the NBC umbrella.”

Do you watch Fashion Police, and if so, do you consider NeNe Leakes a viable candidate for the Joan Rivers chair?

[Image via Anton Oparin / Shutterstock.com]