NeNe Leakes Says She’s Not the Reason She’s Not on Speaking Terms With Andy Cohen
NeNe Leakes said she considered Andy Cohen a brother, but their relationship fell apart when she left The Real Housewives of Atlanta in 2020. Two years after her exit from the series, Leakes sued Bravo and the RHOA production company for violating employment and anti-discrimination laws. She also made complaints about her former castmate Kim Zolciak’s alleged racism. While she said she and Cohen are in a better place now, they aren’t back to where they once were. Leakes said this was Cohen’s fault.
NeNe Leakes spoke about the state of her relationship with Andy Cohen
In 2022, Leakes sued Bravo for workplace discrimination and fostering a toxic work environment. While she eventually dropped the suit without prejudice, it completely changed her once-friendly relationship with Cohen. At this point, she says they exchange text messages, but haven’t spoken in person. Leakes says this has more to do with Cohen than her.
“I guess the question would be, ‘What would it take to get him back on those terms?’” she asked Vulture. “I am the kind of person that, good or bad, time heals. You don’t have to be besties or anything like that, but I move forward. I’m not into holding negative energy.”
Andy Cohen said he’s looking forward to seeing NeNe Leakes back on Bravo
Years after her exit from RHOA, Leakes will return to Bravo for Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip. She thanked Cohen and the producers for including her in the series.
“I’m happy, overjoyed, to say that I will be returning to Bravo,” Leakes said in an Instagram video. “I almost can’t even believe the words that are coming out of my mouth. I’m so happy. I’m just so happy.”
“Couldn’t celebrate 20 years without you,” he wrote.
He hinted at what Leakes’ role will be in Ultimate Girls Trip on Radio Andy.
“She’s gonna be making an appearance. When we go to Atlanta, she’s gonna be there,” he said, adding, “People are really happy about it. Listen, we are going to be celebrating 20 years of Housewives, and it would be hard … to without her. And so I’m happy about it.”
She said her life now is different from what it was when she was on the show
Now that Leakes is making her return to Bravo, she has considered a comeback to RHOA. She said her life looks very different now than when she was on the show.
“Realistically speaking, is there a space for me on Housewives?” she asked. “I was married, and everybody knows my husband passed away. My youngest son has had a heart transplant, and he’s now a first-time dad. My oldest son’s daughter is now a teenager. We used to live in a mansion in a suburb; I now live in a high-rise in the city. I date an African guy.”
She believes that her life now would still make for compelling television, though.
“If they wanted there to be a place for me, there will be a place,” she said. “Because it’s not like my story is any less interesting than it was then; it’s probably even more interesting.”
