NeNe Leakes says she'd return to “RHOA” if the 'opportunity was right' and 'check was on point'

NeNe Leakes is considering returning to the show that made her famous — if there's enough cold, hard cash on the table.

The reality star contemplated a return to Real Housewives of Atlanta during an interview with TMZ. "I don't know," she said of potentially rejoining the cast. "If the opportunity was right and the check was on point, why not?"

Leakes was one of the core cast members for the first seven seasons of the Bravo series, beginning in 2008. She left the show prior to the start of season 8, but made a brief appearance during the Housewives Jamaica trip. She later returned for seasons 10 to 12, ultimately leaving the show in 2020 ahead of its 13th season.

The topic of Leakes' return to the show was prompted by a W Magazine interview with Wicked star Cynthia Erivo, who cites RHOA as her favorite show. "I am a Nene Leakes fan," the actress said in the interview. "I love her. Where is she? Bring her back, please. She's great."

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Leakes returned the love in the TMZ interview. "I love her. So many people were sending it to me, inboxing me, what Cynthia had said," Leakes said. "Cynthia, I love you, thank you so much! And I totally agree."

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Leakes continued, "Honestly, so many people watch Real Housewives. So many stars — big stars — watch Real Housewives. They really do. It was a pleasure to see that Cynthia loved The Real Housewives of Atlanta, and that she in particular loved NeNe Leakes."

Related: Nene Leakes slams Wendy Williams, calls Andy Cohen 'racist' following RHOA exit

The reality star also took the opportunity to plug her upcoming podcast, Me & My Homegirl, which she's launching alongside fellow Atlanta icon Sierra Glamshop. "You can expect us to keep it 1,000% real," Leakes said of the show. "We're gonna talk about any and everything. Nothing is off limits. From pop culture to relationships to love to finances, and every now and then we might have guests that pop in, but we don't want that to be our focus."

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Leakes ended the interview with a reflection on remarrying, as her husband, Gregg Leakes, died in 2021. "I don't know about getting remarried," Leakes contemplated. "I don't mind marriage — if I find the right one, I'm all theirs."

The Real Housewives of Atlanta finished its 15th season in September 2023. The season featured Sherée Whitfield, Marlo Hampton, Kandi Burruss, Kenya Moore, Drew Sidora, and Sanya Richards-Ross as the core cast. Season 16 is set to launch later this year with an almost entirely different set of stars: newcomers Brittany Eady, Kelli Ferrell, and Angela Oakley; friend-turned-full-timer Shamea Morton Mwangi; Sidora; and returning stars Porsha Williams and Phaedra Parks.

Leakes' podcast Me & My Homegirl launches Jan. 16.

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