NeNe Leakes Making Unconventional Return To Bravo

Bloop! After six years away from Bravo, NeNe Leakes, the breakout star of “The Real Housewives of Atlanta,” is returning to the network that made her a household name.

The news of NeNe Leakes’ return to the popular reality franchise comes years after the outspoken TV personality sued the network in 2022, claiming she experienced discrimination and racism on set.

According to a new report from TMZ, producers involved with the upcoming spin-off, “The Real Housewives: Ultimate Road Trip,” told the publication that Leakes will appear in the television special honoring the franchise’s 20th anniversary. Besides Leakes, no other names had been confirmed for the cast at the time of publication.

While her return is exciting for the fandom, it won’t be the way many had hoped, as sources revealed the pop culture icon won’t be a full-time cast member. Instead, Leakes will have a “notable” presence when the cast makes their pit stop in Atlanta.

The upcoming spin-off, “Ultimate Road Trip,” is a derivative of the network’s “Ultimate Girls Trip,” which has been on an indefinite hiatus following a lawsuit filed by Caroline Manzo, who alleged she was sexually assaulted by another Bravo alum.

At BravoCon 2025, Andy Cohen teased the series, which he said would feature “iconic” characters from the past helping celebrate the show’s 20th anniversary.

Frances Berwick, chairman of Bravo and Peacock Unscripted, also shed light on the new series. “For two decades, the Real Housewives has amplified women’s voices, spotlighted their ambition, humor, and strength, inspiring millions with their unapologetic authenticity,” Berwick said. “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.”

As reported by The Blast, Leakes’ return to the franchise is notable as the former Broadway star filed a shocking lawsuit against the network in 2022. In the filing, Leakes alleged she experienced racism on set and was subject to working in a hostile environment.

“NBC, Bravo and True foster a corporate and workplace culture in which racially-insensitive and inappropriate behavior is tolerated — if not, encouraged,” the suit read. “As the Black Lives Matter movement swept our nation, Mrs. Leakes — Bravo’s historically most successful Black female talent — should have been embraced by NBC, Bravo, and True. Instead, NBC, Bravo, and True forced her out of the ‘house she built,’ denying her a regular role.”

Leakes’ return to Bravo has sent fans of the reality star into a frenzy, with stunned reactions shared across the internet.

“Yessssss, can’t wait to watch—we miss NeNe Leakes,” a user wrote on X. “I get to watch NeNe Leakes again—2026, keep it up, baby,” another user added.

The love didn’t stop there, though. Another user chimed in, writing, “The Queen has returned to Bravo. We missed you NeNe Leakes!!! Welcome back to #RHOA OG!!!”

“My favorite Housewife is on her way back home!!! The blueprint of Housewives!! She put Housewives on the map!!! NeNe welcome home!” a fourth user posted.

Leakes was one of the original cast members of Bravo’s “The Real Housewives of Atlanta,” which premiered in 2008.

She remained on the series as a full-time cast member until season 7, when she departed, only to return full-time for season 10.

Leakes officially left the series in 2020 after season 12, claiming the network and her co-stars were icing her out of the group.

While on the show, Leakes utilized her platform like no other, securing acting roles in scripted shows such as “Glee” and “The New Normal.”

Additionally, Leakes was cast on competition series including “The Celebrity Apprentice” and “Dancing with the Stars.”

In 2014, Leakes joined the cast of Broadway’s “Cinderella” as Madame, starring next to the iconic KeKe Palmer. A year later, the Atlanta native returned to the bright lights of New York City as Matron “Mama” Morton in the long-running musical “Chicago.”

Leakes previously reflected on how much being part of the “Real Housewives” franchise has meant to her and her career. “It definitely has opened up many doors and opportunities,” she said.

She added, “A lot of that is due to fans loving me for who I am and living out loud — all the things that some of my cast members don’t like are the things that fans really love about me. I kept it real and I say it like it is and I’m really blunt. So those fans, they have meant everything to me. They’ve embraced me for who I am and carried me through some of the harder times.”