The current cast of Real Housewives of Atlanta is a new landscape – sort of. After the departure of Cynthia Bailey and Porsha Williams, an old ‘villain,’ Sheree Whitfield, finally returned to the scene.
All three castmates have a rocky history with Kenya Moore, who has remained on her (self-described) throne since season 5.
In an interview with The Real, Kenya opened up about the new cast without Cynthia and Porsha.
“It was different. I mean they were fan favorites, but this season feels really fresh and new and I think it goes back to when the original series started where it was about relationships and friendships and the realness,” said Kenya. “This season is all about authenticity … and it feels really good.”
The former Miss USA addressed rumors of a falling out between her and Cynthia (which allegedly occurred on The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip).
“I wouldn’t say it was a falling out. Cynthia was definitely in her feelings after it aired and after we shot it, and she felt like I wasn’t really supportive of her,” answered Kenya. “But for me, she’s not the girl who gets into a lot of fights with people like I have in the past … I’m always gonna have her back, but she just didn’t feel that way.”
The star added, “On camera and off camera relationships are really tricky, and I like to deal with things off camera, because I think that’s what makes it real. I don’t want to have fights and conversations with you about our hearts in front of the world. I think it should be in private.”
While her friendship with Cynthia is perhaps bumpy, Kenya’s relationship with Sheree is surprisingly good, despite being former enemies.
“You know, Sheree is really different this season,” said Kenya. “She is very vulnerable. She’s very open. There are things I’ve learned about Sheree that I thought I would never find out. And I think the audience is going to really respond to her because she’s just a new Sheree. She’s really bringing it this time. She’s bringing that big big energy.”
Host Jeannie Mai asked Kenya if former castmates like NeNe Leakes would return to the show. “Former castmates, yes,” Kenya revealed. “There are some OGs that make an appearance that you guys are gonna love. In terms of NeNe, I — yeah she’s not gonna be on this season. Yeah, it’s a no.”
She went on, “But you know, listen, she brought great energy to this show. Obviously she’s a huge star now and people love her, but yeah she’s not gonna be on the show this season.”
Kenya addressed one little rumor – that Jeannie from The Real would replace castmate Kandi Burruss. “You would make an excellent Housewife,” Kenya told her in the interview. “You could come on as my friend. I love you. I live for you.”
Unfortunately, Jeannie seemed to turn her down. “The door is closed,” said the new mom.
On the first episode of the new season, Kenya got into it newbie Marlo Hampton, who finally earned a full-time peach, after many seasons as a ‘friend.’ The casting move was a surprise to many (including Kenya herself, who swore that Marlo would never land a spot in the opening taglines).
Perhaps Kenya wants to introduce Jeannie so she can have another ally on her side. In the Bravo Kingdom, numbers is everything.