NeNe Leakes’ shocking departure from “The Real Housewives of Atlanta” left a gaping hole in the cast last year that many fans feel wasn’t filled by the addition of “RHOA” newcomer Kim Fields or the return of “RHOA” veteran Sheree Whitfield. With so many fans begging to have the show’s star return to the series, Bravo is reportedly working hard to convince Leakes to make a full comeback. And reports are claiming that they’re willing to give her a gargantuan amount of money to do so.
As fans of the show know, after Leakes announced her departure after the end of season seven, producers convinced her to come back as regular guest on the show toward the middle of the season when the ladies went to Jamaica for their annual trip. Leakes’ partial return seemed to give fans what they wanted and she even told the cast that she would always be around. However, now that season eight has wrapped, there’s been no confirmation on whether Leakes will be back next season or not.
Well, according to media reports, sources are saying that producers are desperate to win Leakes back and it’s alleged that they’re willing to offer her a massive pay raise of $2.5 million.
“NeNe is always a ratings plus for the show,” a source said. “And the producers want to make sure the show stays strong. The reason it stays strong is NeNe, so they’re throwing money at her.”
The source claims that producers weren’t happy with the outcome of adding Fields to the show. And since Fields already announced that she won’t be returning next season, producers are even keener on getting Leakes back.
“Kim [Fields] was not good,” the source said. “The show needed NeNe to make her interesting, and they know that.”
Although Bravo may be offering Leakes the biggest payday any “Real Housewives” star has ever seen, the source says that Leakes may still hold off on signing a new contract so she can get even more money from the network.
“NeNe always holds out for as much money as she can get,” the source told Radar. “She will string the Bravo people along forever in order to cash in. She’s no dummy.”
We’re not sure how much Leakes will get from Bravo if she returns, but we don’t doubt that Bravo is willing to pay big bucks for her.
