Nene Leakes not returning for 'Real Housewives of Atlanta' Season 16 (2024)

Unfortunately for NeNe Leakes fans, it would appear that any hopes of the star making her big return to The Real Housewives of Atlanta have been squashed.

There had been some speculation that Leakes might return once the news broke that her BFF Porsha Williams was coming back.

According to TMZ, however, producers for the Bravo reality series haven’t even reached out to her to discuss the possibility of her returning for Season 16.

NeNe isn’t in any talks to join the upcoming season 16 — and, in fact, we’re told producers haven’t even reached out to her to have any conversations about the possibility. So, bringing NL back just isn’t in the cards.

RHOA fans have been campaigning on social media for her return to the show since her exit in 2020.

After it was noticed that Leakes followed Bravo on Instagram in November 2023, fans started to believe that she might be back on good terms with the network after her 2022 lawsuit, claiming the show’s producers tolerate a racist and toxic work environment. Regardless, it clearly didn’t materialize her return to the show.

For now, Porsha—who left the show in 2021 after 9 seasons—is the only person slated to return for Season 16 of RHOA.

NeNe spoke to TMZ last month about RHOA‘s low ratings, saying that showrunners need to make some drama happen to bolster viewership.

She also said that after 15 years of the same cast, it’s time for the show to get some fresh blood. That didn’t make it sound any more promising that she will ever return to the show.

Production on Season 16 of The Real Housewives of Atlanta has yet to begin, therefore there is no premiere date for the new season as of yet.