Real Housewives of Atlanta alum Nene Leakes recently opened up about why she felt she “wasn’t getting fair treatment” on the Bravo series, so much so it led her to file a lawsuit against the network and Andy Cohen, which she later dropped in 2022.
Speaking on the Reality with the King podcast, the Bravo star explained she felt like she had to leave the show after Season 13 because she felt like she was being phased out of RHOA, despite being an original cast member.
“I’m unhappy that I got six episodes. I mean, shouldn’t I get more than six episodes?” she said. “Like, why is it a phase-out when there’s other girls who are not the same complexion as me and started as an original housewife?”
Leakes continued, “Why are they being offered 18 episodes, and I am being offered six episodes. What did I do? Because I don’t know anything that I’ve done ever on this show that no other housewife in this franchise have not done. I’ve never done anything that no one else has done.”
Leakes ultimately did not return to the show after Season 12 ended.
After negotiations for her return failed, she filed her lawsuit against the network, Cohen, and the production company behind the show, alleging they fostered “a corporate and workplace culture in which racially-insensitive and inappropriate behavior is tolerated — if not, encouraged.”
It also alleged that RHOA star Kim Zolciak-Biermann made “racially offensive and stereotypical” statements against Leakes. Rather than taking action against her for the alleged behavior, Bravo gave Zolciak-Biermann her own spin-off series.
But Leakes maintains she is still open to working it out with NBCUniversal, Bravo, and Cohen.
“I’ve always been open to working it out. I’ve always been open to having a conversation,” she claimed on Reality with the King. “They have never wanted to have a conversation or they’ve never wanted to move forward in any kind of way.”
Regarding Cohen, Leakes said she doesn’t harbor “any hard feelings” toward the Bravo boss.
“I’m a Sagittarius. So at some point, I may be mad with you, but then I get over it. I’m not the kind of girl that carries a grudge or hold[s] the grudge forever. I’m also not [an] ass kisser,” she explained. “I hate that we’re in this place. I really wish it was a way for us to find our way back to each other because, you know, life is short and you just don’t want to carry ill feelings for the rest of your life.”
Despite all the drama, Leakes appears to be open to returning to the show.
“If I had to go back it will be 100% for the fans. The check is not a bad check although I think my check should be bigger,” she stated.
The Real Housewives of Atlanta airs Sundays at 8/7c on Bravo.