Yesterday I spoke to my best source about several Bravo shows and Nene Leakes. I was initially contacting source because for some reason lots of people were emailing me to ask if Southern Charm was cancelled. I thought it was an odd time to be asking, but clearly there was a rumor out there from somewhere. And as I posted moments ago in detail here, it would have been a shock to my system if it were true. Click the link to find out that tea in detail. While my source was talking I asked about something that was confusing me about Nene Leakes filming schedule.
Back at the beginning of principal photography for RHOA, Nene Leakes was not filming. Instead, she was negotiating a her contract. Her contract had not run out. She was still under contract at her $100K rate for a couple more years. But she wanted a raise. A ten percent raise. Bringing her per episode rate to $110K. Remember, this is coming off a season where she attacked a producer on camera. I found the whole thing dumbfounding. But it’s true.
Source Said What Source Said, But It Didn’t Mean What I Thought
At that time, I also told you that Nene also had it put in her contract that “she would be paid for the episodes she was not in.” And that was true. But lately, Nene has been missing a lot of episodes. I started to wonder why they were choosing not to use Nene when they were already paying her such and insane amount whether she filmed or not. So I brought it up to Source. It was then I realized there had been a miscommunication.
At the time I was told “she would be paid for the episodes she was not in,” that referred to the first two episodes. No clarification was made to say it was only the first two episodes because there was no expectation that she would not appear in episodes after the first two that she missed filming while negotiating her contract. I presumed that she was still “being paid for episodes she was not in.
RELATED POST: Nene Leakes Makes More Than Tori Spelling
So I found out yesterday that she was NOT paid for the episodes she was not in after that. For example the most recent episode. It would have been simple to stick a five minute scene of Nene shopping with Marlo, or having drinks and trash talking Kenya. So why didn’t they do that? It seems that production decided that if she wasn’t instrumental to bringing it in an episode, they would just leave her out. Thus recouping some of that “raise.” In fact she is making less than she would have had she started the season at her former 100K rate and been in all the episodes. Bravo is tricky. Correction to the correction. The list of episodes I was using to calculate was incomplete. It is not clear how many regular episodes there are this season.
Is Nene Leakes Being Phased Out?
Kenya seems to think that production is trying to phase Nene out. I don’t believe that. I do know that production has been having discussions about Nene Leakes and Kenya Moore (two separate topics) this week. But, I do not know what those conversations are about. However, there are only two regular episodes left Correction to the correction. The list of episodes I was using to calculate was incomplete. It is not clear how many regular episodes there are this season. with presumably a three part reunion (personally two episodes would be more than enough for this season) so discussions are beginning for next season. This is why Kenya’s “reconciliation with Marc” over the weekend just before the suits meet, sounds suspect.
To be honest, neither Kenya Moore nor Nene Leakes are popular with the suits. In fact, only one really wanted Nene back. And that was the most important one. (Not Andy, he has very little influence over who is hired and fired despite what everyone thinks…including Andy). I have no prediction for what they will decide about season thirteen casting. There is no telling what they will do. But, I will say Nene’s presence or absence on an episode doesn’t change the ratings significantly. And that money could be better spent elsewhere. Perhaps she will get the Vicki Gunvalson treatment for next season. I have no idea. I have given up trying to predict the decisions of the misogyny channel.
Ugggggggh. TT, you deserve a medal for continuing to wade through the muck that is the misogyny channel! I just wanna hand you a stiff drink, give you a hug, and make you go take a nap with Banjo every time I read the maneuvering you go through to report on these shitty shows!
RHOA should be canceled PERIOD….
I agree canceled period!!
I agree.
Nene and Eva (I love you Eva) are not needed at this point. Nene has basically been a friend this season and has had no reason to be there despite bravo paying her all that money because of her OG status.
I don’t know why bravo is scared to shake things up in ATL like they’ve done with OC, NYC, Beverly Hills and so on. Those girls have gotten comfortable and are boring at this point and are just showing up to collect the check. We need some Lisa Rina, Kyle Richards and Erika Jayne energy on ATL because we’ve had the same Nene, Kenya, Porsha, Kandi and Cynthia lineup and storylines for years now.
Bravo can bring two new firecrackers on ATL if they got rid of Nene and I’m sure they’d give us better storylines and bring some new life back to this show. I’m sure between Nene, Kandi, Cynthia and Kenya, a lot of that money is gone by time they could even consider anything else.
They need to put their foot down for season 13 and let some of these women go and shake some shit up. And Kenya your storyline and presence on the show is tired and played out also sweetie and you can exit stage left with Nene also.
Nene can go, she used to be fun to watch but now she’s arrogant and mean. I actually stopped watching RHOA because of Kenya, that woman is so nasty and bitter, she belongs in therapy, not on a TV show. Quite frankly, they need to dump everyone and start over. Woman in their 50s acting like high school bullies is just stupid. Time to recast!
That’s so try…And Kenya is the damn worst..I could care less if she was never on the show..All she wants to do is throw shade at everyone and act like her shxx don’t stink…Get your shxx together first and foremost,like everyone says:To old to be damn bullies,uplift each other… Frfr…
I totally agree with you.
Why don’t you exist without out Ne Ne the show is boring. But one thing I do agree with Kenya is boring.
Nene been tired from the beginning. She did listen to Sheree. Girl fix your teeth and face
. She’s still a beast from hell!
Yaaaaasssssssss!
Say it!
I used to always look forward to Nene being in RHOA scenes. But the last couple years, she comes across with a level of bitterness that isn’t fun to watch. Like RHOC, I feel like RHOA needs to make some major casting changes. I’d be ok with 3-4 of the main cast leaving after this season, although I doubt production will be that bold. We’ll see.
In order to understand where NeNe has been. One have to first walk in her shoes! A lifelong partner with CANCER omg! The wife has to carry all of the burden! Speaking from experience! What her so called friends should have done was get her and let her vent omg!! Thanks Marlo for not judging her and thinking her out burst was vindictive it was PAIN people!!! And trust me that man get so NASTY HE IS IN PAIN AND TRYING TO DESTROY! Sometimes you lashes back but it’s your pain.
I agree
Tamara is this the reason Nene has hired an attorney?
No. The attorney has nothing to do with anything Bravo.
Does it have to do with getting a divorce from Gregg?
Get rid of Kenya and Cynthia. Kenya is bitter and evil her storyline is always based on hating others. Cynthia just needs to go she never really had a storyline just clung to others to make herself relevant. And if Nene doesn’t return I will no longer watch the franchise. This show needs to get rid of whoever is not a housewife. The show is Real Housewives of Atlanta. The others should be friends only. Kenya has a fake marriage they don’t even like each other or live together and Cynthia she just wants to get married to stay on the show. Put real Housewives on…
I agree. The show has really gotten disgusting. They need to do something with Kenya. Being so miserable being in everyone’s business. Has she called herself a businesswoman? She attacks everyone on the show and then plays the victim. And if you come at her sideways. Then she has a problem, but she can do and disrespect anybody on the show and it’s okay. It’s not about a reed or a check. It’s about respect as an African-American woman and how you present yourself. In the public eye. It’s distasteful. Is disrespectful not only that we see it’s just disrespectful to our culture. They have to do better. .
So true, its a disgrace .Kenya needs to go
If she is do successful she doesn’t need the job anyway.
Yes I do agree by cynthia.
Bring back Sheree
OH HELL TO THE NAW TO THE NAW NAW NAW!
I agree, if Nene goes the show will turn into another RHOBH…once Vanderpump left nobody wanted to watch. Be careful Bravo.
I can’t WAIT for RHOBH without LVP!
Annetta, I agree with you 100%. Well said, thank you.
I will not watch if Nene leaves is fired or whatever. I have not watched the episodes she was not on. Free Kenya needs to Go and Cynthia. Cynthia sits back and says nothing to her dumb foolishness. Tanya man doesn’t want the cookie lady, if he did he would be with her. What man is her ex with? Tell us that! I can’t watch Kenya she gets on my nerves!
I like Nene also.She makes that show. I for one do not watch it if Nene is not on it. That Kenya need to mind here her marriage and set her old butt down. No one wants het but Marc. I don’t even think he does. I have never liked her. She was messy from day one. And Cynthis is a big fool. Tanya is doing good with her man. And that Kenya doesn’t like that , because she does not have that in her marriage. A jealous helfer
Mary Kenya has no storyline. She trus to be Nene.
Mary I totally agree with you.
The show does not need Nene! I think a cast shake up would do Atlanta some good. As much as I like Kenya if she can’t play nicely with some fun filled drama then she can go as well.
I would love to see Nene struggle. Maybe it will humble her a little bit. So entitled and absolutely horrible to look at. She defines ignorance and deserves to b seen for the ugly ugly person she really is. She’s not the least bit pretty she has no intelligence whatsoever. Take her off tv finally!!!! She’s still ghetto raising a low life man. Hood as hell w a little money, that’s all. You are a low life it doesn’t matter if your in the hood or Beverly hills your still trash. So are your kids and it’s a direct reflection you. You raised them and they probably never saw how a man is supposed to treat a woman and never saw normalcy being raised by trash like you. The pole was even a step up for you. You should of stayed there!
Diane it’s called a reality show, but you only see a portion of these women real lives. Your comments are a bit harsh and tacky. You’re acting just like the woman you seem to be trash talking. Try not to be so vested it’s television!!
IJS I was about to make a comment to Diane’s remarks, but you just said it all. Too much hostility toward a person trying to live her life and make a living. I love your wisdom..
Only two episodes left? Don’t they still have another trip to go on?
Yes good point. That is why the math was not adding up for me. Wikipedia usually lists all the episodes. I thought 15 was too few but that is where the list ended. Thanks for pointing that out.
Kenya isn’t reconciling with her husband because of Bravo. Her husband knows how to get divorced, if he wants to leave there’s nothing she could do to make him stay. Couples break up and make up all the time. Also, the suits may not like Kenya but it seems like she is heavily featured on every episode this season so far.
I agree with all of that. However, it is in Marc’s best interest for Kenya to keep her job, so I do think the hand holding Instagrams were staged.
Being present in the episodes can be deceiving – Vicki was in every OC episode this past season (or almost at any rate) and she’s gone. That’s no barometer
I agree. A shakeup is needed. Kandi will always be my fav ATL housewife. Kandi and Porsha must stay. I hate to say it, but I kind of do enjoy Kenya’s sass. Even though I feel like a lot of it is fake when she comes on screen she has my attention. I do see a sadness in her eyes. Always have…..Nene has run her course and Eva needs to go. The girl is gorgeous but all she did this season was eat and sit there.
I would watch a show with nothing but Eva eating and sitting there. Have you seen her IG? She is DROP DEAD GORGEOUS. By far the prettiest housewife on Bravo and she has the cutest babies. I would really miss Eva if she left.
I will agree eva can go.all she does is talk about the ex.Boring
Aren’t they taking an international trip? I remember seeing some shots on ig with Ms. Diane and Porsche and Kenya’s babies somewhere.
Yes, Greece if I recall correctly It appears the episode list I saw was incomplete.
This season has been boring. No one has much of a story line. Cynthia is boring. There’s nothing interesting about the cookie lady story. Mama Joyce is back to her original feelings about Todd…we’ve heard it all before. I wish they would shake things up. It sounds like Nene screwed herself by trying to get more money.
Please, get rid of NeNe. I have never liked her, and she is jealous of many of the ladies. She can dish it, but can’t take it. Fire her please!!!!! She should have been let go, but when she put her hands on production; she should have been let go immediately!!!!!!!!!!
I thought I was the only one that seen Nee Nee for what she really is…she really is jealous of her coworkers and she lies and when she gets caught up she always running hiding and crying to change the subject at hand and she gets away with it but Kandi knows that ass. Get rid of Nee Nee………Bye Felicia.
Bravo is making a grave mistake by fazing NeNe out. I noticed at the beginning of show when it’s coming on, they put NeNe last. Kenya is getting just what she has been after, and that’s NeNe’s spot. I see she’s first, hope she enjoy the forefront. The only reason she stay on the show is because she keep up drama against everyone, that not good look for her. But all she see is dollars, or it don’t matter to her. Kenya need the money, she has to keep up with Joneses. Bravo really need to re-think their casting. NeNe will always be relevant for the show, their ratings are only good, because everyone tune in too see if NeNe will be on. That’s where they get their ratings. Bravo don’t want positive people on the RHOA, they are satisfied with women fighting each other.
Ratings have gone down when nene has advertised her return. She called the first two episodes without her pre game or something yet her return was a thud. She doesn’t get their ratings from nene. Not since season 4. But yes there needs to be a cast shakeup with rhoa.
Well said Virginia.
I’ll add, TT, that usually RHOA seems to go until April, and they have full (American) seasons (so the typical 20-24 episodes).
Thanks for your digging. I hope they do phase Nene out. Even with her apology tour it doesn’t seem like anyone other than Marlo wants to consistently film with her outside of a group setting — and then she’s barely there.
I wish they’d bring new people and that Tanya would take the full peach.
Please get rid of that messy kenya, in her 40s and acting high schoolish ,
Love Kenya. Smart, Funny and entertaining.
Bye NeNe
Agree
Agree
I agree. Nene turned into an egotistical bully years ago. Cynthia is week and really gets on my nerves. That fake laugh she does all of the time has got to go. Kenya can be a mess but I agree with you that she needs to stay. She is entertaining and intelligent and I’ve always rooted for her. I think her husband is a total ass. Marlow is so far up Nene’s ass you can’t even find her. Love Kandi and Porscha. I can take or leave Tanya and Eva. The only one that definitely needs to go is NENE!!!
Don’t be mad because Ne Ne tell Everyone how she feels. Stop hating
Kenya is single handedly carrying this season. Is she always right? No. Is she hella entertaining? YES. This season would be a snooze without her.
Ditch Nene. No one cares. She’s legit the worst.
Ditch Eva. She doesn’t need this and it shows. Tanya is the Patti Simcox of ATL and best served as a friend of.
Keep Kandi. She’s the Kyle of this series. And keep Porscha. And Marlo is the Brandi to keep around As a dramatic friend of.
Cynthia should also take a break. She’s kind of pointless this season.
Bring back Kim Z if they can get her to play nice, or Sheree, or what’s Lisa Wu up to these days?
Add in some new blood!
Well said
Everyone looking at Kenya, Nene and Cynthia… Kenya is at least bringing the ratchet, no matter how evil she is, Cynthia has her wedding storyline, Porsche has her break up to make up story line… I love Evas look but she can go… and Kandi has no place there at all. Whenever I see Kandi I go in the kitchen for a snack.. she is easing right under Bravo radar, hanging around and just collecting a huge check…no one really cares that she had this new baby cause no one cares about her and Todd, they are boring.. when Todd’s scandal comes out then they can being Kandi back to rhe show???
Wow, that’s A lot of changes… it only made sense nene is not getting paid based on her reactions before and after her missed episodes. She would have her 6th nose In The air putting up shady posts about making money while not lifting a finger.
Vicki is the OG of the whole thing. If they are willing to demote and fire her when she was integral to the storyline of course they’d do it to nene. It’s business. High salaries along with diva demands and antics are a huge liability and if your numbers are down then it’s time for execs to cut the fat.
Now Kenya is crafty with her comments she said she got a little raise but left it open ended to make it apparent as if that was for her main salary of last 1.5m but not the 500k of season 11. My guess is she got more than 500k and that’s the little raise not The raise on 1.5 but she brings it good bad and ugly.
Cut nene out or demote her, demote Eva after this season
Next season let Cynthia have her full circle wedding finale and then do a runway walk off the show.
Kandi Kenya porsha Tanya as an addition and a few others would give it a much needed boost.
Lastly, I am not surprised about Kenya and Marc and I don’t see anything wrong with the “suspicious” pic of them. This is a job. It’s no different than making smart decisions when coming up on a promotion opportunity. All the ladies know which points of the year to set up The next phase. It’s clear to me that whatever went down at Marc’s event had Marc’s ego bruised and he wants control and Kenya wanted to take control and say I’m filing. Two big egos with more similarities than not going at it hit at some point summers down. I think the co parent went well during the fall and winter and Kenya and Marc know they are a lot too handle and many won’t put up with it so they need to learn do work as a team. Neither seem to keep a long relationship without driving the other off. They made a beautiful daughter so it’s worth growing up and trying to make it work and possibly going the surrogate route in a couple years if they do make it work.
I’d rather see a slightly mellowed out Marc and Kenya next season than the tug of war alpha male/female dynamic of this season.
My 2 cents for what it’s worth. Porsha, Eva, and Kenya must stay. NeNe is very mean and arrogant with her entitled OG status, so bye bye. I’d love to see Cynthia and Mike’s relationship play out next season. I’m on the fence with Kandi, so I’ll wait til the end of the season to weigh-in on that. Give a peach to Tanya and keep Marlo as a friend to all the ladies. Find 2 more women who are actually housewives, because I love to see the men interact with their ladies.
I say they should scrap all of the housewives and start from scratch. Every. Single. Franchise.
Bravo thinks bringing in younger “housewives” (most are not housewives) will bring younger viewers. Poll younger people and ask if they know Desperate Housewives. Ask them to name two Real Housewives. Most can’t and don’t care. The franchise has run its course. That’s just a TV-viewing cycle even when the show still is good. And the RH franchise has been not good for a while.
I agree, Nanette. The HW franchise is nearing the end of its TV cycle lifetime. Bravo has a real problem on its hands…falling ratings for most of its existing “hit” shows (Below Deck may be an exception). It’s very difficult to keep ratings up for any 10+ year show…look at Law and Order: SVU and The Simpsons. Their ratings are a fraction of what they once were.
If I were production I’d take a risk and retire both Nene and Kenya’s characters from RHOA. Kenya is extremely intelligent, witty/funny as hell, and stunningly beautiful. Unfortunately, she chooses to be a thirsty clout chaser who’s willing to stage almost anything for camera time or a blog article. Her scenes on RHOA (marching band, cookie lady intervention) are entertaining in the moment, but all have a pre-planned, contrived feel to them which adds to the fakeness of the show. Not sure these shows can be saved, but a cast overhaul would be a lower cost way to continue a couple more years.
NeNe, Kandi and Kenya have all overstayed their welcome with regards to how much of the budget they are eating up measured against what they bring to the show. Kenya admittedly makes more effort to provide “good TV” but watching her revert to the thirsty season 5-6 version of herself has been cringey to watch.
I believe you said this time last year that Cynthia agreed to a pay cut to return, but with her apparently moving to LA to be with Mike, this might be a good time to bid goodbye to her, too.
Eva doesn’t bring much, but she doesn’t eat up much of the budget, and I love watching her with her family, so I say they keep her and Porsha, then upgrade Tanya to full-time status. Hire three new girls, and voila, much-needed refresh! *takes off faux producer hat*
I’m good with this plan, but we need to keep Kandi. She’s very easy to work with and will film with anyone. She also “don’t start none” but will finish it if need be, Also, she is about a decade younger than Nene and Kenya and would tit in better with the three you want to keep.
Kandi staying around wouldn’t bother me, and your point about her being willing to film with anyone is valid with regards to how much she is paid. As long as we had 2-3 new girls who were really willing to bring it the way Kenya and Porsha did in their early years, I think this would make for a great fresh new start.
J, I agree with you on all but one, keep NeNe, the OG. The two K’s can go as well as the C.
Tamara,
I just saw NeNe walking through Neiman Marcus Last Call at Sugar Loaf Mills. She was walking through the store to go into the actual mall. She had on the infamous “white tee” and sun glasses on indoors…mind you it was 7:15 pm.
I’ve been thinking she and Gregg are getting divorced. But I am starting to wonder what she did with the body..
so many kenya haters here. how is kenya ‘bitter’ as opposed to the rest of them? like it or not this season is 80% about kenya. every cast member’s storyline has been about kenya or linked to her in some way. i guess these kenya haters are the same that swore on all things that kenya did not carry her child by herself or was not married. without kenya what would nene (spitgate), marlo (wig party and drummers), Tanya (wiggate and cookie lady) cynthia (engagement debacle) and the rest be doing? kenya has given most of these episodes things that had her trending and being talked about on social media. i didnt see too much social media conversation last season.