After a six-year hiatus from the Bravo universe following her dramatic exit from The Real Housewives of Atlanta (RHOA) after Season 12 in 2020, the iconic “Queen of Shade,” NeNe Leakes, is officially back. The longtime fan favorite will appear in the highly anticipated franchise celebration spinoff, The Real Housewives: Ultimate Road Trip (working title: The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip: Roaring 20th).

The special follows a core group of Housewives — Vicki Gunvalson (RHOC), Luann de Lesseps (RHONY), Porsha Williams (RHOA), Teresa Giudice (RHONJ), Kyle Richards (RHOBH), Gizelle Bryant (RHOP), and Lisa Barlow (RHOSLC) — on a cross-country road trip hitting iconic cities tied to the franchise’s history: Orange County, Beverly Hills, Atlanta, Miami, and New York City. It features dozens of cameos from across the Bravoverse (over 80 stars total) to mark 20 years of The Real Housewives.

NeNe’s return was first teased and confirmed in mid-January 2026 by Andy Cohen, who noted it would be “hard not to” include the Atlanta OG in a 20th-anniversary celebration.

NeNe herself broke the news on Instagram with an emotional video, saying: “This has been a really long, long journey, and gosh, I’m happy, overjoyed to say that I will be returning to Bravo. I almost can’t believe the words that are coming out of my mouth. I’m so happy. I’m excited to see all of you girls… It’s going to be a time. Yes! Bitches, I am back. Now pick your faces off the floor. OK!? See you on Bravo. Love you.”

Andy replied to her post: “Couldn’t celebrate 20 years without you.”NeNe’s Role and Atlanta ScenesUnlike the core traveling cast, NeNe is not a full-time participant. She makes a notable appearance specifically during the Atlanta leg of the trip, where the group reunites with local legends and creates nostalgic, high-drama moments.

A behind-the-scenes photo released by Bravo in late January 2026 captures the excitement: NeNe stands front and center in a striking silver velvet one-piece bodysuit with a fur collar and lace-up details, flanked by Porsha Williams, Phaedra Parks, Vicki Gunvalson, Kyle Richards, Teresa Giudice, Luann de Lesseps, Gizelle Bryant, and Lisa Barlow. The vibe is pure reunion energy — glamorous, joyful, and full of “gag” reactions from the group (Porsha commented “Gag” with flame emojis; Phaedra quipped “Not [Bravo] leaking Ms. Leakes”).Fans can expect classic NeNe moments in Atlanta:

  • Heartfelt and humorous reunions with fellow RHOA OGs like Porsha Williams and Phaedra Parks.
  • Nostalgic group scenes celebrating the franchise’s legacy, likely including toasts, throwback stories, and signature NeNe shade and one-liners.
  • A teased tense confrontation with former RHOA castmate Lisa Wu. The recently dropped trailer highlights a charged moment between the two Atlanta originals, with reports from filming suggesting drama erupted during a speech or gathering where NeNe shouted out fellow OGs, leading to a confrontation (allegedly involving Lisa Wu, with NeNe reportedly clapping back in her signature style). instagram.com

These Atlanta sequences promise the perfect mix of nostalgia, laughter, and the unfiltered drama that made NeNe a household name.

Why This Return Matters

NeNe’s departure from RHOA in 2020 was contentious, followed by a 2022 lawsuit against Bravo (later dropped for arbitration) alleging a hostile work environment. Her return signals that past tensions are behind them, at least publicly. Andy Cohen later described the experience as “very positive,” and NeNe’s own words reflect genuine excitement about reconnecting with the network and the “girls.

”The full trailer for The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip: Roaring 20th dropped in late June 2026, building massive hype with glamorous group shots, cross-franchise clashes (including Teresa Giudice drama), and plenty of OG cameos — with NeNe’s Atlanta appearance standing out as one of the most anticipated.Premiere details: The supersized episodes premiere Sunday, August 9, 2026, at 9/8c on Bravo, with episodes streaming the next day on Peacock.NeNe Leakes’ comeback is more than just a cameo — it’s a full-circle moment for one of reality TV’s most iconic personalities. Whether she’s delivering shade, sharing laughs with old friends, or stirring the pot with Lisa Wu, her Atlanta scenes are sure to be some of the most talked-about moments of the season. “Bitches, I am back” indeed — and Bravo fans couldn’t be happier. Stay tuned for more updates as the August premiere approaches!