Nene Leakes Returns to Bravo, Andy Cohen Praising Her Significance to the Franchise

Real Housewives of Atlanta star Nene Leakes is back on Bravo, and Andy Cohen couldn’t be happier. In an interview with PEOPLE, Cohen noted that the franchise “couldn’t have celebrated 20 years on the air without her.”

Promoting The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip: Roaring 20th, Cohen also called Leakes “such an important part of the franchise.” According to him, reuniting with Leakes for the latest show was “a very positive” experience.

Earlier this year, Leakes told Tamryn Hall, “If they called, I would answer. I would need to hear what they have to say,” indicating a possible openness to further involvement with the franchise beyond cameos.

Leakes famously departed RHOA in 2020 after appearing in 10 seasons. While her exit seemed amicable at the time, she later filed a lawsuit against Bravo, RHOA, Cohen, and several other parties in 2022 alleging racism and a hostile work environment.

The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip: Roaring 20th airs on Bravo Sundays at 9 p.m. ET, with new episodes available for streaming on Peacock the following day.