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 favored reality franchise comes years after the outspoken TV personality sued the network in 2022, claiming she experienced discrimination and racism on set.

In line with a brand 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 tv special honoring the franchise’s twentieth anniversary. Besides Leakes, no other names had been confirmed for the forged on the time of publication.

While her return is exciting for the fandom, it won’t be the way in which many had hoped, as sources revealed the popular culture icon won’t be a full-time forged member. As a substitute, Leakes could have a “notable” presence when the forged 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 one other Bravo alum.

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

Frances Berwick, chairman of Bravo and Peacock Unscripted, also make clear the brand new series. “For twenty years, the Real Housewives has amplified women’s voices, spotlighted their ambition, humor, and strength, inspiring thousands and thousands with their unapologetic authenticity,” Berwick said. “The Real Housewives: Ultimate Road Trip’ is a love letter to the ladies who turned a reality television show right into a cultural phenomenon — and the fans who’ve been there for each laugh, gasp, toast, and table turn.”

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

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

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

“Yessssss, cannot wait to observe—we miss NeNe Leakes,” a user wrote on X. “I get to observe NeNe Leakes again—2026, stick with it, baby,” one other user added.

The love didn’t stop there, though. One other 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 among the unique forged members of Bravo’s “The Real Housewives of Atlanta,” which premiered in 2008.

She remained on the series as a full-time forged 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 resembling “Glee” and “The Latest Normal.”

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

In 2014, Leakes joined the forged of Broadway’s “Cinderella” as Madame, starring next to the enduring KeKe Palmer. A yr later, the Atlanta native returned to the intense lights of Latest York City as Matron “Mama” Morton within the long-running musical “Chicago.”

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

She added, “A number of that’s resulting from fans loving me for who I’m and living out loud — all of the things that a few of my forged members don’t like are the things that fans really love about me. I kept it real and I say it prefer it is and I’m really blunt. So those fans, they’ve meant every thing to me. They’ve embraced me for who I’m and carried me through among the harder times.”