“Waking up this morning in a daze like what just happened! I stood before a SOLD OUT Broadway theatre screaming my name! The overwhelming amount of love & support brought me to tears! I have so many people to Thank this morning. You might get tired of me today because I will be posting lots of pictures of last Nite. I can’t believe this. Like I really can’t believe this!” ~Nene Leakes
That is Nene Leakes this morning after her Broadway debut on Tuesday night as Madame in Cinderella. It looks like we have had some misconceptions about the size of the role of Madame. It appears to be the third largest role in the entire play. According to Nene, it has the most lines of any other character. Keke Palmer and Nene Leakes both had their name up on the sign, while I get that both are new, the guy who has been playing the prince did not have his name up. I am getting the feeling that this is an even bigger deal that I originally thought. It sounds like Nene was a huge hit!
So major props to Nene on getting through her first performance and being well received by the sold out crowd! 
“A special thank you to all my boo thangs who showed up to celebrate me last nite! YASSS hunni! It meant the world to me to see them all there last night supporting me on my opening night for Cinderella on Broadway! Like what just happened!? A sold out theatre screaming my name! WOW! WE DID THAT!” ~ Nene Leakes
Among Nene’s “boo thangs” were Jill Zarin, Kristen and Josh Taekman, Ramona Singer, Joe and Melissa Gorga and kids, Treach and Cicely Evans and children (looking happy together!), Jennifer Williams, Jay Manuel, Miss J, Theo Davis, Luke Burke, Kathy and Richard Wakile and Frankie Grande.
The above pictures with Ariana Grande’s brother were from the elaborate after party. RHOA cameras were there catching Nene enjoying the celebration with lots of champagne. The brother jumped in front of the camera A LOT. There was a lot of champagne flowing and a Cinderella’s Castle cake with photos of Nene in her various gowns from the show. Nene was clearly touched by the entire evening. Her husband Gregg and son Brentt were both in attendance. All in all it looked like a huge “dream come true” moment for Nene.
A local radio station interviewed her after the show and Nene was confident and happy and managed not mention how much money she makes or trash anyone! It’s a Christmas miracle. No Real Housewives of Atlanta were able to make it. There were no sightings of Teresa Giudice or Kim Kardashian, but all in all it looked like a tremendous success. Congrats Miss Leakes!
I know it’s not a popular opinion here, but I’ve always loved Nene and I’m happy for her. 🙂
Love her or hate her, this is impressive! It would be easy to love her if she wasn’t so nasty and so rude and was humble a bit more. She has come a long way and fought tooth and nail to get to where she is. We WANT to love the underdog, but her…attitude most times. Oh my.
On Wed, Nov 26, 2014 at 10:45 PM, Tamara Tattles wrote:
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@tt I feel the same
Hey O.O ! I hope you have a fantastic Thanksgiving! I miss chatting with you I have just been SO SWAMPED lately, I can’t seem to fit everything into the day! xoxo!
On Wed, Nov 26, 2014 at 11:23 PM, Tamara Tattles wrote:
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I completely agree TT. I root for Nene until she turns me off, then I forget or get over it, and root for Nene until she turns me off again.
Yes, you are right Nene has to learn how to be more humble and genuine. No one gets rich on Broadway. Political agenda and demographics is probably correct.
You stated my sentiments about Nene (versus Naynay) perfectly, Tamara. I would prefer to like her as I once did when Nene was spontaneously happy, when she was boisterous, BUT POSITIVE. Nene was *gladly and generously willing to share the spotlight*, and I believe I recall that she also was one who preferred to go along and get along than hold ill will against others. Unfortunately, as time passed and her fame increased, we observed its ill affects and NOT ONLY ON NENE. Others also had changed, but because Nene’s personality is so big, it appeared and I believe that it eventually became a reality that she changed, and not for the better. So, on Thanksgiving Day, it might be very good to acknowledge that Naynay can back off to allow a more humble and kinder Nene Leaks to reappear and take center stage.
It would be wonderful on Thanksgiving to note her positive change as you have, Tamara, and to openly offer Nene praise for her accomplishments and for her humbler, kinder and gentler disposition. You are generous to do so, Tamara. How great would it be if Nene consciously decided to remain that way, like her former, likeable self!
Have a Happy Thanksgiving, Tamara, and thank you for blessing us with your BLOG, your intelligence and very humorous, thought provoking and entertaining ‘reportage’. – Tasos
Perfectly said, TT! I do wish her well, but I hope she doesn’t add to “I’m a rich bitch” with this new success!
I love it!!! Go on with your BAD self Nene! I feel her joy and always have had a soft spot for Nene. She’s full of herself and outspoken, but I still like her.
@tt Hi!! Happy Thanksgiving I hope you’re eating good food and enjoying the day .
Color me shocked and amazed!
Go Nene and I sincerely hope that this is a new leaf for you.
Are there any reviews of the performance besides Nene’s totally unbiased review?
Not really. There are a couple of Broadway sites that sell the tickets that said she was… “magical.” The really weird thing is SHE is the person both of those sites are writing up. Keke Palmer is barely mentioned and she is the star.
Go figure.
On Wed, Nov 26, 2014 at 10:57 PM, Tamara Tattles wrote:
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That attitude tho…….hmmmm……idk!!!
Congrats to Mrs. Leakes. I have tickets for 17 Dec.
YAY please give us the full report! Email me at Tamaratattles on g mail and I’ll post it!
Ok sure.
Hmmmm maybe I should go as well . If the tickets aren’t ridiculous I’ll go, I’m curious . TT you should come up so we can go see NeNe together .
No one is specifically has mentioned whether “the acting” improved since the New Normal? Hope so, good for her either way. Although trained actors we know from Juliard & HB thinks she was hired for “political purposes,” to sell more tickets to a “certain” demographic. Which I’m sure she doesn’t mind, she just wants to get paid WELL. Can you blame her?
We’re tempted to try out for Will Call, curious about the acting prowess, especially with stage, this is not easy–I should know, I’ve done it. 🙂
Then you should know with few exceptions, no one gets rich from Broadway. Nene is going to have to work hard for very few dollars…
Um, as a jewelry and floral aficionada, I would be remiss in pointing out that the arrangement Nene is holding is a festive holiday arrangement of berries and twigs.
I mean, I’m just reporting the facts.
Tamara; good post on Nenes
Broadway debut. Thanks so much for all your work on the recent news events. You do an awesome job !
Although joining the cast of a Broadway show during its final weeks is not a huge deal; it is a personal triumph, for sure. This is, after all, Leakes’ debut, and her resume will forever contain an NYC theatre credit! .
A lot of the hoopla is simply because she is the latest addition to the cast and producers are hoping her name recognition will help fill those seats for the next few weeks., Kiki and Sherri got all the coverage when they joined the show several weeks ago.
…and yes, Broadway.com used the adjective, magical – primarily because the show is a fairy tale. I didn’t get the impression that they had actually seen the show yet. I don’t know anyone who has. I’ll ask around.
I suspect that her over-the-top posturing will serve her better across a huge stage than on film, especially since she is playing a caricature. She’s been amateurish in everything I’ve seen her do thus far, but this just might work out.
@ mable lean .. I agree . I think they hired her not for talent but on the hope that her name will fill seats , which is sad for true talent who actually went to school and continue to take classes to sharpen their skill.
As much as I dislike Nene, props to her. Also, I LOVE Frankie. **waits for Tamara to take my TT tokens away**
Congratulations to Nene. Hopefully all the positive vibes can spill over to RHOA and we can see the fun, positive Nene on the saw again.
I think Nene’s exaggerated personality may be well suited to some stage roles. Let’s hope some good reviews stops her from feeling such a need to blow her own horn. If that happens, then there may be a chance she won’t feel she is the only housewife entitled to some success and be such a crabby ass.
If more housewives would be noted for big accomplishments, instead of being fools, fighting, and crooks, I could stop having to defend myself every time I mention that I watch these shows.
Her
“biggest role” role has yet to come…a patient of a shrink. This has an inferiority complex she is also insecure. She can have fame and generate a good living for her family but she is haunted by demons that manifest in her unwillingness to sustain real honest friendships based on mutual respect. I feel sorry for her. She needs to invest in therapy.
Damn it there should have been a Double Douche warning at the top of this post. Nene is one thing, but then to see that play dough faced pop star adjacent dude and his primate paws!! URGH. I need some nerve medication.
Yeah, if she’s a success and wants her ass constantly kissed, I think they should pair up and do it for each other. As long as she stays at his level…good for both of them and yay me for never having to expose myself to that group.
I agree UF Darling. When I saw the two of them I could not help but think that it is way too early to see the likes of those two. The brother of, well I had managed to forget about him, Please pass the nerve medication.
Oh, Urethra! You make me giggle. Thanks for the Frankie Grande-based snicker 🙂
another awful wig … and she’s producing some reality shows next year
Yay you for giving her equal time on successes. I’m still super interested to see her bad reviews from Zumanity. I googled and didn’t find anything negative or noticing she quit early. I’ve been coming daily just for that scoop since you teased us with it a week ago!!
I know am being a bit miserable here, but I cannot overlook that $20,000 challenge Nene instigated and then blatantly refused to honour.
How does Nene get away with such appalling behaviour? No one seems to care anymore. Okay that out of the way, congratulations on your Broadway triumph Ms Leakes.
You mean the challenge to Kenya almost a year ago and Kenya only paying up recently when it’s time to film? Why didn’t Kenya get her African prince to give her the money, oh wait he doesn’t exist,
So since you seem to know Kenya, can you explain to us why she flew back and forth to Lagos all the time when filming stopped? Does she just like the beaches on Victoria Island? Please tell us, we are dying for more of your inside information! Also, do you know why Nene lied about meeting the Nigerian guy in LA? I can’t wait to hear your tea!
On Thu, Nov 27, 2014 at 1:08 PM, Tamara Tattles wrote:
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Michelle
Unless one happens to be “very rich” I can’t imagine having to produce immediately, that amount of money that was not previously budgeted. Kenya, I suspect had to earn that money first.
With regards to her African prince, it may surprise you to learn that not all females find it easy to ask even their boyfriends for money,. personally asking for anything especially money leaves a bad taste in the mouth. I will sleep under that Victoria Island bridge first, before I beg anyone for money. The fact is, using that (the length of time it took Kenya to produce the cheque) as an excuse to negate a good deed at the same time excusing shoddy behaviour on Nene’s part is quite frankly rather appalling.
Michelle it was only 6 months! Season 6 reunion show was in May 2014. Furthermore, Nene initiated the challenege to donate, and told Kenya to match her. So, actually she was supposed to donate first! I guess Kenya got tired of waiting, and donated. It was smart of Kenya to have it filmed this season as her proof because; Nene challenged her publicly out of spite. It doesn’t matter when Kenya donated? SHE DID. So, the “rich b*tch” should keep her word! As someone who prides themselves on “keeping it real” this shows that she’s full of it. As many of us had already suspected.
Um what?! Im going to ask my boyfriend for $20,000 because apparently that’s an appropriate thing to do, and why bother with the women’s rights movement? I don’t need to earn anything I can just go around asking men.
Wow, great for Nene! I’m not a fan, but being on Broadway is a huge accomplishment.
I am happy for Nene, buuuuuttttt she would only make me a fan of hers if she changes her “bloooppp” attitude.
Gawd! I used to be a fan when everyone was dogging her but her ego got too big. Anyways, have her tell it, she is the star and not Cinderella. WTF happened to Nene’s nose job? It GREW back. Totally weird but …yawn, whatever! Lol.
Her wig looks better but still looks 2 thousand years old and almost like horse hair?
Good for her!! I still think she comes off as an obnoxious LadyMoose in interviews and in RHOA, but much props for her debut and doing well. 🙂
Well – I never thought I would say this, but good for Nene. I still don’t like her. She is rude and nasty, when that changes ( I think donkeys will fly by then) so if she can be nice at least act human then I will think about it. I know I am no one and only one, but I bet there are others out there that think the same thing I do. I wouldn’t walk around the block to see her. I thought her “good friend” Kim K was going to be there. Yay right. Anyway I hope TT that you have a great Thanksgiving and everybody else too.
Happy Thanksgiving, TT and all other posters…. No one can complain that you are biased and never give credit when credit is due. I’m interested in reading a review too, more than a press release.
What I am really curious about is her singing. Nene had said that the role required more than she thought. I know the performance is live but if her voice is lacking does anyone know if they can auto tune a track and she can lip synch? That is a serious question, not snark. No one can say she hasn’t worked hard to further herself.
I’d love to her a track from the play with her singing.
In the middle of cooking and readying house for a couple guests. Different for me and I work myself into a tizzy for no reason. I hope you all enjoy the day.
I believe she is only in two songs in the third act. And she’s in the chorus. Sherri Shepherd said she just sort of mouthed along. I think Nene can sing well enough to get through it.
On Thu, Nov 27, 2014 at 11:59 AM, Tamara Tattles wrote:
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Her ego is going to go off the charts
Michelle
Unless one happens to be “very rich” I can’t imagine having to produce immediately, that amount of money that was not previously budgeted. Kenya, I suspect had to earn that money first.
With regards to her African prince, it may surprise you to learn that not all females find it easy to ask even their boyfriends for money,. personally asking for anything especially money leaves a bad taste in the mouth. I will sleep under that Victoria Island bridge first, before I beg anyone for money. The fact is, using that (the length of time it took Kenya to produce the cheque) as an excuse to negate a good deed at the same time excusing shoddy behaviour on Nene’s part is quite frankly rather appalling.
I concur, not every woman enjoys asking their wealthy bf for mone. It can just get messy. (My philosophy is give and give freely, without let or lean.) Example , l’wren scott could’ve easily asked mick jagger to help her get out of debt, but chose not to do so. Even though i am dying under a mountain of student loans, i havent asked my much wealthier bf for a penny to help me pay them off.
All I can say is Madame must be a dupe for the Nene character since that’s the only role she can play with any authenticity. In everything I’ve seen her do, all she does is “act” like herself. For example, her over-the-top performance horse-footing it around the pillow talk party in her underpants was how she was acting in Zumanity. That’s her go-to act for every situation. And now she’s a producer? Please, Wig. She’s so over-exposed, I’m surprised there wasn’t a Nene float in the Macy’s Parade today.
Psst she’s being phased out of Atlanta…so she needs to start talking about all of the big projects she has that made her too busy for RHOA…just nod and play along. 🙂
On Thu, Nov 27, 2014 at 5:14 PM, Tamara Tattles wrote:
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Seriously???? She needs a new rag for her fat head. The supporters were other housewhores losers. See ya naaaaynaàaay…. I mean mister ed
Actually she got a REALLY nice response from the crowd. This really isn’t something you can legitimately harsh on Nene for. You should give her props when she deserves them.
On Fri, Nov 28, 2014 at 12:45 AM, Tamara Tattles wrote:
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The first episode I watched was the Nene and Kim bus scene. I wondered if this is how friends behave God help their enemies. I never got to see nice funny Nene so I never could get the appeal of her. But I must admit Broadway is impressive. I was also surprised it doesn’t pay well. I assumed since it’s so competitive it’d be a gold mine. Learned something new.
Good for NeNe. She has drive and gumption. I find her obnoxious and her clothing line tacky, but I don’t have to like a person to enjoy them on stage or in movies. Hope she can move away from the soul stickiness of reality TV and defacing expensive handbags.
Soul suckiness. I have to keep disabling auto correct on this thing. Hope everybody had a great Thanksgiving.
Well good for her. Broadway is special. I don’t care what she does and I always wish everybody success, but I still don’t want to see her do anything on TV or elsewhere. It’s her as person that I don’t care for and I don’t support people I can’t stomach.
good for her. i’m a fan of THIS Nene in the video. the fun one without the sour face. she seems genuinely happy. still not enough to make me like her again.
meanwhile, is that the infamous black bra?
As many interviews as she does in see through tops with a black bra lets hope she has several. Besides, when she has on a shirt AND a bra? That’s Progress. http://s17948.p858.sites.pressdns.com/2014/10/11/nene-leakes-goes-on-national-tv-without-a-shirt/
On Fri, Nov 28, 2014 at 6:17 PM, Tamara Tattles wrote:
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Congratulations to NeNe! I still like her and this interview was the most humble I’ve seen he give in a long while. I hope she can continue to show humility and her fun side, not mean and nasty NayNay. I wish in the interview she had said some nice tidbit about Keke when the interviewer mentioned Keke Palmer as that would have been a classy thing to do. How the heck is Frankie Grande fawning all over her. .. she better run!
Meh