NeNe Leakes Says Her Success is Thanks To This Group Of People

“Real Housewives of Atlanta” star NeNe Leakes is undoubtedly the most notable breakout star of the Bravo franchise. With more memes and memorable one-liners than perhaps anyone else, Leakes has solidified herself as one of the most iconic reality stars of all time. Even with her success, which has led her to scripted TV shows and Broadway stages, the “RHOA” OG says a considerable amount of it is owed to the LGBTQ+ community.

While spending the night out at The Abbey, a West Hollywood gay staple, Leakes spoke with Gayety about her career, including the viral memes and clips from the earlier seasons of the show that have gone on to become trending sounds on TikTok and Instagram Reels.

“It’s crazy to me,” the mother of two said. “People are still saying white refrigerator. People are still saying, ‘Ooh, child, the ghetto.’ I’m talking about years later, and they’re still saying this kind of stuff.”

“The Real Housewives of Atlanta” premiered in 2008, and Leakes can’t believe her presence on the show was so impactful that people are still enjoying moments filmed almost 20 years ago.

“It means a lot,” she said. “That means I am an icon and I am legendary, honey. She’s never forgotten.”

While speaking with Gayety, Leakes also reflected on the immense amount of support she’s received from the LGBTQ+ community. “It means the world to me,” the “New Normal” star added.

“Without the gay community, I’m not so sure that all of these memes and sayings would have gone as far as they did. The gays were the ones taking it there. They were snapping and ‘Yes, Ms. Nene!’ They were taking it there.”

As Leakes continued, she theorized that her career might not be at the level it is today without the support of the LGBTQ+ community. “They have been one of my biggest supporters,” she said.

Leakes has spoken openly about her love for her queer fans since becoming a household name. In 2015, she talked to HuffPost about the gay community and why she connects with them on a deeper level.

“I’ve always loved supporting the LGBT community. I grew up with a couple of gay guys. Besides loving the gays personally myself, I feel like they influence everything, from nail polish to high heels to lip gloss to everything you can think of,” she said. “I’ve been a supporter of the LGBT community for a very, very long time, and tonight is another reason for me to go out and support. I always participate in gay pride. If I can go out and show up, I always do.”

Leakes’ support of the queer community has been called into question by some, however, especially after her podcast episode with TS Madison, a prominent trans activist, went viral in the summer of 2025.

During the episode, Leakes and Madison had an intense back-and-forth conversation over men who date trans women. When Madison declared she doesn’t date “gay men,” Leakes said, “When you guys be saying that, that’s real weird, because what do you mean you don’t date gay men? Because if he’s sleeping with you and sleeping with a woman, he’s something.”

Madison pushed back, informing Leakes that plenty of men, including those who are pansexual (individuals attracted to people regardless of sex or gender), are interested in trans women.

Leakes replied, “I don’t want to run into them, I don’t want to date him. I need you to like Hello Kitty, all the time.”

Social media users weren’t pleased with Leakes’ comments and wasted no time expressing their displeasure online.

One user compared Leakes to that part of an older generation, calling her “takes … outdated,” before emphasizing how important “informative conversations” and education are.

Despite the criticism, Madison addressed Leakes’ viral comments in a post of her own, shooting down suggestions that she and the “RHOA” legend were fighting.

“Fighting with NeNe Leakes? Over MY identity? Two people sitting down discussing attractions and dating was fighting? Uhhhh okay,” she wrote.