Bravo Icons React To NeNe Leakes’ Grand Return To ‘Real Housewives’

NeNe Leakes is returning to the “Real Housewives” franchise, and the Bravoverse couldn’t be more excited.

In the comments section of Leakes’ recent Instagram post confirming her grand return to the network, a plethora of Bravo legends, from fellow “Real Housewives” to former and current executive producers, offered the iconic reality star their congratulations.

For those unfamiliar, NeNe Leakes has been away from Bravo and the “Real Housewives” franchise for over five years, departing the series in 2020 before suing the network in 2022.

According to a previous report from The Blast, sources close to the production of the “Real Housewives” franchise said Leakes had signed a contract to appear on the network’s upcoming spin-off celebrating the show’s 20th anniversary. Leakes confirmed the reports in an emotional video, sharing, “This has been a really long, long journey, and gosh, I’m happy, overjoyed to say that I will be returning to Bravo.” She added, “I almost can’t believe the words that are coming out of my mouth. I am so happy.”

Leakes will be one of 70 “Real Housewives” alums appearing in the upcoming “Ultimate Road Trip” spin-off, which Frances Berwick, chairman of Bravo unscripted, said will be an ode to the iconic series. “The Real Housewives: Ultimate Road Trip’ is a love letter to the women who turned a reality television show into a cultural phenomenon — and the fans who’ve been there for every laugh, gasp, toast, and table turn.”

Leakes captioned her video, “CONFIRMED! The Tastiest Peach Is Back,” which sent a shockwave of excitement through fans and Bravo stars, who flooded the “RHOA” OG’s comment section with love and praise.

“Real Housewives of New Jersey” star Teresa Giudice wrote, “Welcome back, my love,” while her sister-in-law, Melissa Gorga, commented, “There she is!!!!!”

Leakes’ own “RHOA” co-stars, including Shereé Whitfield, chimed in, sharing, “Could NOT have 20 years without you.” Cynthia Bailey, meanwhile, wrote, “The door is back open! Welcome back!”

Porsha Williams, who’s starred in “The Traitors” and season 3 of “RHUGT,” added, “I can’t wait. The door is open. 20 years of Housewives is now complete!! Let’s celebrate.”

The well-wishes didn’t end there, as “Real Housewives of Orange County” OG Vicki Gunvalson gave the former Broadway performer her flowers. “We have missed you!! Can’t wait to see you.”

Lesa Milan from the now-canceled “Real Housewives of Dubai” wrote, “Well deserved!!! So excited for you.”

In the most surprising turn of events, Andy Cohen also had something to say. “Couldn’t celebrate 20 years without you,” he wrote. Other notable Bravo figures, including Heather Dubrow, Chanel Ayan, Tamra Judge, Lisa Hochstein, and “Married to Medicine” veteran Dr. Simone Whitmore, also offered kind words.

Cohen addressed the big news during a segment of his radio show, “Radio Andy,” and expressed his excitement over Leakes’ return to the land of Bravo. “She’s gonna be making an appearance,” he said. “People are very happy about it. Listen, we are going to be celebrating 20 years of Housewives, and it would be hard not to without her, and so I’m happy about it.”

Before Leakes’ return to Bravo, the outspoken TV personality made waves by suing the network over alleged discrimination. “NBC, Bravo and True foster a corporate and workplace culture in which racially-insensitive and inappropriate behavior is tolerated — if not, encouraged,” part of the suit read. After that, Leakes made jabs at the “Real Housewives” EP in social media posts, calling him a “c-caine head.”

During a recent “Watch What Happens Live” episode, Cohen revealed the main cast of the upcoming “Real Housewives” spin-off, which includes Lisa Barlow, Luann de Lesseps, Kyle Richards, Gizelle Bryant, Giudice, Williams, and Gunvalson.

Cohen said that in addition to the women mentioned above, there will be “appearances by dozens of additional Housewives with stops in Orange County, Beverly Hills, Atlanta, Miami and New York City, from across the cities and eras, joining familiar faces in both emotional and unexpected ways as new relationships and dynamics unfold along the journey.”

He added, “They’re going from town to town. A group of about seven or eight gals is gonna be going from town to town. More will be revealed, and then there will be, in total, I think you may wind up by the end of the series seeing 60 of your Housewives friends. Something like that.”