She’s back. Honestly, if you’d asked most Bravo fans a year ago if we’d ever see the "tastiest peach" on the network again, the answer would have been a hard "no." The bridge wasn't just burned; it was incinerated, salted, and buried under a mountain of federal court filings. But 2026 is apparently the year of the impossible. NeNe Leakes, the woman who basically birthed the modern reality TV superstar, is officially re-entering the Real Housewives universe.
It's been a long six years since she walked away from The Real Housewives of Atlanta in 2020. Since then, we've watched from the sidelines as she filed—and eventually dropped—a massive discrimination lawsuit against Bravo and Andy Cohen. There was name-calling. There were "blacklisting" allegations. It was messy. But earlier this week, the news broke that changed everything: NeNe is joining the cast of The Real Housewives: Ultimate Road Trip.
What really happened behind the scenes?
Let's get into the weeds for a second because the timeline is wild. Back in 2022, NeNe sued the network, alleging a "hostile and racist work environment." She pointed fingers at how the network handled her former bestie, Kim Zolciak-Biermann, and claimed she was retaliated against for speaking up. Then, in August 2022, she abruptly dismissed the suit "without prejudice." That little legal phrase was the first hint that a door might still be cracked open.
Fast forward to BravoCon 2025. Andy Cohen teased the crowd by saying he and NeNe had actually been texting. Can you imagine that group chat? Fast forward again to January 14, 2026, and NeNe is on Instagram, visibly emotional, confirming her return. "I almost can’t believe the words coming out of my mouth," she told her followers. It’s a huge pivot for a woman who once called the executive producer a "c-caine head" on social media.
The "Ultimate Road Trip" details
This isn't your standard season of RHOA. The new series, which is currently working under the title The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip: Roaring 20th, is a massive celebration of the franchise’s 20th anniversary. It’s a road trip across the U.S. hitting iconic cities like Orange County, NYC, and—you guessed it—Atlanta.
Here is the kicker: NeNe isn’t a full-time traveler on this bus. Reports from TMZ and other insiders suggest she’s making a "notable appearance" specifically during the Atlanta leg of the trip. Some fans are annoyed it’s not a full-time return, but honestly, it’s a strategic move. It's a vibe check. Bravo wants to see if the audience still clicks with her, and NeNe wants to see if the "check is on point," as she famously said on a podcast in early 2025.
Why this return actually matters
You can't talk about the Real Housewives without NeNe. Period. She provided the blueprint. The "I’m very rich, b—" lines, the "Close your legs to married men" reads, the GIFs that are still the most used on the internet. When she left, the ratings in Atlanta took a noticeable dip. The show lost its anchor.
👉 See also: Ben Affleck Back Tattoo: What Most People Get Wrong
Bringing her back now is a massive play for nostalgia. The network is essentially saying, "We know we messed up, and we know you want the OGs." It’s not just about NeNe, either. Other heavy hitters like Vicki Gunvalson and Porsha Williams have already chimed in to welcome her back. Porsha even commented, "The door is open. 20 years of Housewives is now complete!!"
The elephant in the room: The Lawsuit
A lot of people are asking: How do you sue your boss and then go back to work for them?
- Arbitration: The 2022 suit was moved to private arbitration, meaning whatever deal they struck happened behind closed doors.
- The Power of Ratings: At the end of the day, television is a business. If NeNe brings eyeballs, Bravo will find a way to make it work.
- A Changed Landscape: With several other housewives facing their own legal battles recently, the network seems more willing to forgive past "transgressions" if it means a hit show.
What to expect next
If you're waiting for NeNe to jump back into a full-time role on RHOA Season 17, don't hold your breath just yet. She’s already clarified that she wasn't contacted for the main show's next season. This Ultimate Road Trip appearance is very much a standalone event for now. But if the chemistry is there and the fans go as crazy as expected when that Atlanta episode drops later this year, it’s hard to imagine Bravo won't back up the Brinks truck for a permanent return in 2027.
If you want to stay ahead of the curve on her return, here is what you should do:
Keep an eye on the official Peacock and Bravo social channels for the full cast reveal of Ultimate Road Trip. The word is there will be nearly 60 Housewives appearing throughout the series, but NeNe’s segment in Atlanta is undoubtedly the one everyone will be talking about. You’ll also want to watch NeNe's YouTube channel, as she’s been way more vocal there about the "real tea" than anywhere else lately.
The era of the "Blacklisted" NeNe is over. The era of the "Returned" NeNe has officially begun.