For years now, NeNe Leakes has given empty threats about leaving “Real Housewives of Atlanta.” But every year, Leakes, who is undeniably the biggest star of Bravo’s “Housewives” franchise, decides to come back – that is until now. After seven years with the show, Leakes has done the unthinkable and finally announced that she’s leaving.
Leakes made the shocking announcement last night, via an interview with People magazine, telling them, “This was definitely a hard decision for me. Me and my husband [Gregg Leakes] have been going back and forth on it for weeks now. But my contract is up and I just think this is the right time. This is my opportunity to spread my wings and do different things.”
As previously reported, this year, Leakes launched her own clothing line through HSN and she recently revealed that Kim Kardashian has included her as a character in her famous Hollywood app. But Leakes tells People that she’s jumping ship from “RHOA” to a new primetime TV gig.
“I’m actually going to be doing a new primetime television show with a big legend,” Leakes teases of the series she begins filming this week. “All of my fans will get to see me be really happy, witty and funny and tell all of those one liners that I always have said on ‘Housewives.’”
And for Leakes, leaving “Housewives” is a lot sweeter than it is bitter.
“I feel a weight has been lifted off of my shoulders,” Leakes said. “There were times when I was a target. I won’t miss the negativity.”
Read Leakes’ Facebook statement about her difficult departure after the cut.
