NeNe Leakes’ name is once again dominating the Bravo conversation — and this time, it comes with gratitude, reflection, and a long-awaited return.
Following news that NeNe will appear on Bravo’s upcoming installment of The Real Housewives: Ultimate Girls Trip, the former The Real Housewives of Atlanta star took to social media with an emotional message acknowledging the people who helped make her comeback possible.
While NeNe will not be returning as a full-time Housewife, she is set to appear when the Ultimate Girls Trip cast stops in Atlanta — a symbolic location given her legacy on the franchise. The appearance is part of Bravo’s broader plan to celebrate the 20th anniversary of The Real Housewives, a milestone executives reportedly felt wouldn’t feel complete without NeNe’s involvement.
After years away from the network, NeNe addressed the moment directly, making it clear this return didn’t happen in isolation.
“I want to thank Frances Berwick, Andy Cohen, so many executives behind the scenes who have worked to make this happen,” NeNe said. “So many people that have continued to throw my name in the ring over and over again.”
She went on to thank multiple production companies and crew members, highlighting how much effort went into bringing her back into the Bravo universe.
“Thank you to everybody over at Bravo,” she continued. “Thank you to all of the people over at Truly Original. Thank you to Shed Media. Thank you to the producers on the ground who were calling and texting me and wanting this to be an amazing thing.”
NeNe’s relationship with Bravo — and with Andy Cohen — has been complicated in recent years, marked by public tension, legal disputes, and long stretches where a return seemed unlikely. That history made her acknowledgment of Andy especially notable, signaling a clear shift in tone.
Beyond executives and producers, NeNe also made a point to credit fellow Housewives for keeping her name alive behind the scenes — even when she wasn’t on camera.
“I have to thank some of the housewives that I know have continuously kept my name being said behind the scenes,” she said. “Porsha Williams, yeah, thank you so much. You know how I feel about you. You’re my little sister. Thank you, I appreciate everything.”
She also shouted out another familiar Atlanta name.
“Phaedra Parks, thank you so much, Phaedra, for keeping my name going,” NeNe added. “And all of you guys and all of you ladies who constantly say my name to keep my name out there in the ring. I appreciate you guys so much. Thank you so much.”
For longtime viewers, the moment felt full circle. NeNe was one of the original pillars of The Real Housewives of Atlanta when it debuted in 2008, helping shape not just the show but the tone of the entire franchise. Her absence in recent years has been felt — and frequently debated — making her return, even in a limited capacity, a major moment for Bravo fans.
While this isn’t a peach-holding comeback, NeNe’s appearance on Ultimate Girls Trip signals something just as important: the door between NeNe Leakes and Bravo is no longer closed.