Cynthia Bailey writes open letter on NeNe Leakes
After NeNe Leakes blasted her on social media, Cynthia Bailey penned a lengthy letter detailing the demise of their friendship. On Sunday, after the airing of the “Real Housewives of Atlanta” reunion, an irate Leakes accused her friend turned foe of faking her anger for cameras in particular when she called Bailey’s husband a “b—-.” Leakes then shared an alleged text from Bailey showing her planning out the scene in advance.
Bailey is now responding to her ex-best friend via Uptown Magazine in a letter entitled “The Reality of a Friendship Gone Awry.” In it she dishes on what transpired between them and how Leakes believed she was becoming close with the “enemy,” Kenya Moore.
“First and foremost, the friendship you saw on camera between the two of us was genuine. We were very supportive of each other and talked every day,” wrote Bailey.
[…] “Now, for most of my adult life I have traveled the globe as a working fashion model, mingling with the rich and famous, and wearing the coveted designs of many of the world’s most admired fashion houses. Yet, becoming a member of a weekly show formally introduced me to millions of people all over the world and brought about entirely new experiences. I fully embraced the opportunity, brought my family along for the ride and opened up my life for all to critique and judge. It’s been difficult at times, but thrilling and equally fulfilling as well.”
“However, the most challenging part for me has not been disagreeing with my husband on camera, or finding out my family essentially considered sabotaging my impending wedding in my first season on the show, or even the unfortunate argument with fellow cast member Kandi Burruss during the Pillow Talk party this season,” she continued.
“In all honesty, it’s been watching someone who I thought was a friend [NeNe Leakes] first attack my husband and then attack me by suggesting I be fired from the show.”
Bailey then went on to detail the infamous Mexico incident when Leakes called Peter Thomas a “b—-.”
“First of all, I was shocked that Peter and Gregg were even having an argument at all,” said Bailey. “They were always so engaging and had a special level of respect for one another. Peter was a groomsman in Gregg’s and NeNe’s wedding. So to see the two of them going at it was incredibly hard for me to comprehend. When NeNe became involved, I assumed she would attempt to calm the situation and shut it down. She shut it down alright, by essentially verbally attacking Peter, who like me, had done nothing but support NeNe and Gregg in good and bad times. NeNe and I had spent that entire day together on and off camera, and the issue of her and Peter’s exchange at Kenya’s charity event never came up.
The “b—-” incident was very disrespectful and a low point in our relationship. But as mature adults who genuinely cared about each other, we worked through the mess, and decided our friendship could survive. Don’t get me wrong; it was very difficult to forgive NeNe for her harsh insult towards my husband because I would never refer to a friend’s husband in such a derogatory way. But we moved on.”
We were all in a good place, or so I thought, until NeNe felt that I was becoming too close to Kenya, “the enemy” as Nene referred to her on “Watch What Happens Live,” she added. “There is this ridiculous notion; of course being perpetuated by NeNe, that Kenya and I have somehow become BFFs. Nothing could be farther from the truth. However, I am as friendly with Kenya as I am with Kandi Burruss, Phaedra Parks and Porsha Williams. What I will not do is stop being friendly, cordial, respectful or accommodating to people just because my friend or anyone else thinks I should. I don’t do petty. It’s not in my DNA.
Before ending her lengthy prose, Bailey noted that she’s “relieved” that she and Leakes have cut ties.
“[…] Then it dawned on me. NeNe is hurt that I have moved on,” wrote Bailey. “In the end, I am relieved that our friendship is over.”
“[…] I always thought if we ever stopped being friends that we would go our separate ways and wish each other well in our endeavors. I never expected that she would suggest taking food out of my mouth. But then again, NeNe Leakes is no Cynthia Bailey,” she added.”
“Famed writer and poet Margaret Walker wrote, “Friends and good manners will carry you where money won’t go.” Maybe NeNe should embrace this and make it her personal mantra.”
Read the rest of her letter at Uptown Magazine here.
