In the ever-turbulent world of reality television, stars come and go—but few departures have stunned Real Housewives fans like that of Kenya Moore. Season 16 left fans in disbelief and co-stars grappling with her absence. Now, long-time friend and fellow Housewife Cynthia Bailey is speaking out on what might come next for the polarizing star.
Kenya Moore, 54, was suspended indefinitely from filming after a dramatic incident involving newcomer Brit Eady. During a cast event—meant to celebrate the grand opening of Kenya’s Hair Spa—things took a dark turn. Kenya allegedly displayed “sexually explicit images” of Brit, which led to a swift investigation and her removal from the rest of the season.
According to Bravo, Kenya Moore’s actions violated the network’s code of conduct, prompting her dismissal. Although the footage was captured during filming, the network acted quickly and decisively.
The fallout didn’t just impact Kenya—it rippled through the RHOA family, particularly affecting Cynthia Bailey, 58, who has shared over 15 years of screen time and friendship with Moore. Speaking to The U.S. Sun at Adrienne Maloof’s It’s Up To Us Women’s Health Benefit in Beverly Hills, Cynthia expressed the personal toll of the decision.
“Losing Kenya was hard for me because she’s one of the best to ever do this reality TV thing,” she said.
“She’s a phenomenal Housewife and in time, I do think she will find her way back, absolutely.”
Kenya herself acknowledged her misstep during an emotional appearance on The Tamron Hall Show. Taking responsibility, she admitted:
“Hindsight is always fifty, fifty.
If I could do it all over again, I believe the photos were very distasteful, and I elevated the situation.
I’ve elevated situations before, and I’ve taken full accountability for the things that I’ve done. I’m sorry, I didn’t have to take it that far.”
While Kenya remains absent from RHOA, speculation is swirling around Cynthia’s own future in the franchise world. No longer a full-time Atlanta cast member, Bailey is splitting her time between Atlanta and Los Angeles—raising questions about a potential crossover to The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills (RHOBH).
Addressing fan interest, Cynthia shared:
“I’m very much bi-coastal. I spend a lot of time in LA and the ladies love me on the cast. I have a great relationship with them. I have a lot of roots here in LA, my daughter lives here now.
But my heart and my home is always in Atlanta. I started with with the Real Housewives of Atlanta, I will die with a peach in my hand.
Whether it’s being an official friend of the show or one day, maybe I’ll come back as a full-time Housewife. It’s so special and important for me to stay with Atlanta.”
Kenya and Cynthia’s relationship has become strained following the incident. Cynthia had expressed her disappointment over Moore’s actions. She mentioned reaching out to Moore multiple times after the incident but did not receive a response. Bailey emphasized that her feelings were rooted in concern and love for Kenya.
“I just hold her to a certain standard ’cause I do know her and I know she’s a woman of class. Kenya’s amazing, but I just felt like it was just beneath her. I couldn’t support it.”
Despite Bailey’s efforts to reconnect, Moore has reportedly not responded to her outreach and has been sharing messages on social media that some interpret as indirect criticisms of Bailey.
