Part 3 of The Real Housewives of Atlanta season 13 reunion airs Sunday, May, 9 and even though Nene Leakes is no longer part of the show, it hasn’t stopped her from trending on social media.
Fans of the show have been vocal about missing the longtime OG in action, criticizing newcomers, and complaining that the show is boring with Leakes absent. Leakes’ exit came following the season 12 reunion special. She’d appeared in fewer episodes throughout the past two seasons, speculating that show executives were trying to phase her out of the show altogether.
Leakes insisted that rumors of her being fired were false. But as season 13 filming began, more reports noted that Leakes had yet to sign her contract, nor was she filming with the cast. She announced on her YouTube channel that she wouldn’t be returning after failed negotiations.
Per Leakes, she was offered fewer episodes at the same pay rate, which she felt was unfair. She’s now calling out the network over claims of discrimination and racism, threatening boycotts, and is allegedly preparing a legal battle.
Leakes also is frustrated over not getting spinoff opportunities like other housewives. Insiders allege Leakes’ downfall is of her own fault, citing years of problems with production, Leakes’ not showing up to set or walking off set early, refusing to film, and more.
RHOA alum Claudia Jordan shares similar sentiments, telling Domenick Nati in a recent interview:
“When we did the show, she would walk out of scenes all the time,” Jordan alleges. “And I’m like, ‘How the f*ck is she still getting a check?’ I can’t walk off my job and expect to still get a check at the end of the week.”
But still, fans are vying for Leakes’ return and making their requests known on Twitter.
I don’t care what anyone says…
but RHOA is not the same without Nene Leakes????— Joslyn Smith (@joslyn_crystal) May 3, 2021
Porsha is channeling Nene Leakes like I’ve never seen it before. The way she’s speaking, the mannerisms, the body language… everything is giving Lennethia #RHOA pic.twitter.com/YPbmpQcN8d
— Mrs. Gardner to you (@theJoysofLifeYT) May 3, 2021
Nene Leakes used to have the RHOA reunions LIT lmaoooooo
— ???????????????? (@colelynz) May 3, 2021
RHOA just ain’t doing it for me without the Queen Nene Leakes.
— Lyss … (@_AlyssaCapri) May 3, 2021
This most definitely has been the most boring reunion in the history of #RHOA We need Carlos King Production , a Nene Leakes return, a Phaedra return. ???? pic.twitter.com/ccli61xZgx
— JARRED RAYNOLDO⭐️ (@jarredraynoldo) May 3, 2021
Leakes responded to the chatter. “Y’all are killing me with all of the comments, Gifs, and DM’s right now,” she wrote on Twitter with laughing emojis. “I can’t help y’all.”