ATLANTA, GEORGIA – NeNe Leakes, former star of “The Real Housewives of Atlanta,” believes that the show needs a significant overhaul. In an exclusive interview at Los Angeles International Airport, Leakes expressed her opinion that the decrease in ratings calls for drastic changes to the long-running program.
Leakes argued that it is not beneficial for the show to continually feature the same cast members and urged for the introduction of fresh faces to inject new energy into the 15-year-old series. However, she clarified that she does not advocate for a complete reset like “The Real Housewives of New York” after its 13th season. Instead, Leakes suggested that at least half of the current cast should be replaced.
Despite no longer watching the show, Leakes revealed that she keeps up with the clips through social media. Nonetheless, she lamented that the program is no longer the same as it was in its early days.
Leakes, who has had a contentious relationship with the show since accusing executives and cast member Kim Zolciak of racism in 2022, stated that she does not have a message for Andy Cohen or the Housewives team. While she acknowledged that she could potentially boost the show’s ratings, she did not express significant interest in returning to the franchise.
In her final advice to the show’s producers, Leakes emphasized the importance of prioritizing audience satisfaction and pleasing the fans.
With the possibility of firing half the cast, Leakes subtly hinted that it would create opportunities for her and Kim to make a comeback.
The Real Housewives of Atlanta has been a popular reality TV series, but with the decline in ratings, NeNe Leakes believes that significant changes are necessary to rejuvenate the show. While not advocating for a complete reset, she suggests replacing at least half of the current cast with new faces. As a former star of the show, Leakes believes that the continuous use of the same cast is detrimental to its success. Although she no longer watches the show, she mentions that social media clips have showcased that the program has evolved and is no longer the same. Leakes has had a tense relationship with the show and does not express a strong desire to return. However, she does believe that she could help boost the ratings. In her advice to the producers, she emphasizes the importance of considering the preferences of the audience. Ultimately, with the possibility of major cast changes, Leakes subtly hints at the opportunity for her and Kim to make a return to the show.