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Kenya Moore’s appearance has been the talk of social media this September after a pair of high-profile outings left many fans doing a double take.
The former Real Housewives of Atlanta star and Miss USA 1993 winner, now 55, first drew widespread attention in late August at the Miss USA 75th Diamond Celebration in Miami. Photos
Kenya Moore’s Changed Facial Appearance Has Fans Concerned
and video from the event showed a tighter, more lifted look around the eyes and mid-face, with higher cheekbones and smoother skin than many remembered. Moore captioned her Instagram post “My legacy will always be Iconic.”
Fans immediately split. Some praised the polished result. Others said they barely recognized her. Comments ranged from “Who is that?” and “Did someone change her face?” to comparisons with Kimora Lee Simmons and jokes about an “eye lift” or a face that had been “yanked.” A few initially blamed heavy filters or FaceTune, but third-party video from the event appeared to match the photos, undercutting that theory.
The conversation picked up again in early September. On September 8, Moore walked the red carpet at the Los Angeles screening of Tyler Perry’s Why Did I Get Married Again? Reactions on YouTube and social media were often sharper than those from the Miami event. Some viewers said the look had settled poorly, calling it “extreme,” “mannish,” or reminiscent of other celebrities who had undergone significant facial work. Others maintained she still looked good and that the procedure simply needed time to settle.
Moore has not publicly addressed the speculation. She has been open about previous procedures, including a 2021 breast reduction and additional work in 2025 that she said left her “bikini ready.” In 2016 she told Dr. Oz she preferred non-surgical techniques such as eyebrow contouring to create a lifted effect “until all else fails.” A recent visit to a dermatologist for acne-scar treatment was also documented, but she has not confirmed a facelift or brow/eye lift.
A mid-September poll by The Celebrity Post found 52 percent of respondents believed she had undergone plastic surgery, based on the new photos. The sample was modest and the question remains unconfirmed.
The debate is familiar in celebrity culture: how much change is too much, whether a woman in her mid-50s “needed” anything, and the gap between Instagram presentation and unfiltered video. Moore has long cultivated a glamorous, beauty-queen image. For many longtime viewers the latest photos represent a noticeable departure from the face they associated with her RHOA years.
As of mid-September 2026 she has offered no statement. The photos and video continue to circulate, and the comments keep coming. Whether the change is surgical, skilled contouring and makeup, or a combination, the reaction itself has become the story.
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NeNe Leakes appears to have officially closed the door on The Real Housewives of Atlanta — and this time, she’s leaving little room for interpretation.
During a recent appearance as guest host on Atlanta’s V-103 Big Tigger Morning Show with Francesca Amiker, the original RHOA star was asked about returning to the franchise full-time. She shut it down.
NeNe Leakes on Returning to RHOA: ‘That’s Not Where I Want To Be’
“That’s not where I wanna be,” Leakes said. She added that she doesn’t see herself ever coming back and doesn’t want to be part of “that.” She described herself as healed from the chapter and made it clear a full-time peach is not in her plans.
The comments come after months of speculation. Leakes, who left the show after Season 12 in 2020 following a bitter contract fight, later sued Bravo and Andy Cohen, alleging a hostile and racially insensitive work environment. The suit was dropped. In 2026 she returned to the Bravo universe for The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip: Roaring 20th, the franchise’s 20th-anniversary all-star trip — a limited appearance that fans treated as a possible first step back. It wasn’t.
Andy Cohen has said the current RHOA lineup is “pretty stacked” and that the network is focused on the group already in place. Rumors that Leakes was being offered a Season 18 contract circulated earlier this year; Cohen publicly called similar reports untrue.
Leakes has long said that if she ever returned, it would not be as a “friend of.” In this interview she went further: she doesn’t want the main-cast role either.
On Shamea Morton and the state of RHOA marriages
Hosts also asked whether Shamea Morton should leave the show. Leakes was cautious but pointed.
“I don’t see it being positive in her marriage,” she said. She noted how few intact marriages remain on the franchise and added that she couldn’t tell Shamea what to do — but she clearly sees the cost. “Where are the marriages?” she asked.
On dating in Atlanta and keeping her relationship private
Leakes also talked about her personal life and her boyfriend, Nyonisela Sioh (often called Nyoni), whom she has been seen with publicly in recent months.
“People in Atlanta don’t respect relationships,” she said. She described dating as on-and-off in the city, said she had rarely gone public with anyone before, and made it clear she prefers to keep this relationship private.
Why this lands differently
Leakes is still one of the most important figures the Housewives franchise ever produced. RHOA became Bravo’s flagship in large part because of her. The tension of the last six years — the exit, the lawsuit, the slow thaw, the Girls Trip cameo, the return rumors — made every interview feel like it might be the one where she said yes.
This time she said no.
Some fans heard self-protection. Others heard unfinished business. A few replies to the original clip argued the show is still the platform that made her, and that walking away for good is leaving money and cultural real estate on the table. Others said she’s earned the right to stop giving the franchise her energy.
Leakes has other lanes: her own interviews and YouTube show, acting, business, and the limited Bravo reunion she already did. For now, she’s treating RHOA as a closed chapter.
Whether Bravo ever tries again is another question. Based on what she said on V-103, the answer from her side is already in.
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Kroy “KJ” Biermann Jr., 15, was granted $200,000 bond Friday after a contentious Fulton County Superior Court hearing in which prosecutors disclosed prior juvenile allegations and claimed investigators found videos on his phone of sexual encounters with a family member under age 12.
Judge Melynee Leftridge ordered his release from the Metro Regional Youth Detention Center under strict conditions.
Kroy “KJ” Biermann Jr., 15, granted bond
He must live full-time at his mother Kim Zolciak’s home, attend school virtually, wear an electronic monitoring device with a 24-hour curfew (except for medical or court appearances), surrender his passport, and refrain from using a cellphone or social media except for approved school or counseling purposes.
He is barred from any contact—direct or indirect—with the alleged victim in the current case, her family, or associates. He also cannot have contact with anyone 16 or younger.
That restriction includes his younger siblings: brother Kash, 14, and twins Kaia and Kane, 12. Other children that age are not permitted to stay at or visit the home.
The teenager faces seven felony counts—aggravated child molestation, aggravated sodomy, aggravated sexual battery, false imprisonment, and three counts of sexual battery against a child under 16—stemming from an alleged April 23 incident at a Life Time Fitness in Alpharetta involving a 14-year-old girl. He was arrested Aug. 17 and later indicted.
Prosecutors described documented physical injury to the alleged victim and read a statement in which she expressed fear for her safety if he were released.
During the hearing, Deputy District Attorney Caitlin McGillicuddy told the court that investigators previously discovered videos on KJ’s phone depicting multiple sexual encounters with a female family member under 12, along with what she called “predatory, derogatory” language.
She said he had been under juvenile court supervision since October 2025 in connection with a 2023 matter and that this would mark a second serious sexual offense allegation involving female victims.
Defense attorney Jason Sheffield requested a $65,000 bond, saying detention had been “so traumatizing” for a quiet teenager with strong family and community ties, academic standing, and athletic prospects. He said Zolciak, who is currently at home, would supervise him.
After the hearing, Sheffield said prosecutors’ characterizations of the earlier juvenile matter “grossly misrepresent both the facts and the ultimate resolution,” describing it as “inappropriate, crude behavior involving two middle-schoolers” that did not result in an adjudication for statutory rape or comparable offenses and that was addressed through counseling.
KJ has denied the current gym allegations, submitted to a polygraph that his lawyer said showed no deception on relevant questions, and plans to plead not guilty. His team has also moved to transfer the case to juvenile court.
Zolciak, Kroy Biermann, and older sister Brielle Biermann attended the hearing. The parents, who are in the midst of a contentious divorce, sat separately. Arraignment is scheduled for Oct. 14. The charges remain allegations; KJ is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
Keep up with Season 17:
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Melody Holt — now professionally known as Melody Shari — dropped a splashy arrival video just as The Real Housewives of Atlanta Season 18 cameras were set to roll.
The clip shows the entrepreneur and former Love & Marriage: Huntsville star dancing in a white crop top and denim mini-skirt beside a massive LED truck playing footage of herself. The timing was unmistakable: filming for the next RHOA season was expected to begin the following day.
Melody Holt: From Huntsville to Atlanta
Holt first became a reality TV fixture on OWN’s Love & Marriage: Huntsville, a series she helped bring to life. After nine seasons she stepped away in 2025, citing a desire to protect her peace and focus on businesses that include Seventh Avenue Beauty, production company Tilted Crowns, and Nubian TV. She now lives in Atlanta.
This is not her first brush with Bravo. Years earlier, she and then-husband Martell Holt were approached about RHOA. He later said they declined because he wanted to protect their marriage. The marriage ended anyway; the RHOA invitation never quite disappeared from fan conversation.
Connections Already in Place
Holt has been building quiet ties to the current RHOA circle. She has collaborated with Drew Sidora on a luxury beauty line and appeared in events alongside Cynthia Bailey and others in Atlanta’s social scene. Fans have floated her name as a “friend of” or even a peach holder for months.
Keep up with Season 17:
- RHOA’s Drew Sidora Flaunts Her New Body
- Fireworks Fly in RHOA Season 17, Episode 10
- RHOA Season 17, Episode 8 Brings the Drama
Andy Cohen, speaking in early August 2026, indicated he was happy with the Season 17 group and suggested they would return for Season 18, shutting down other casting rumors. That does not rule out a new friend-of role or a late addition once cameras start rolling. RHOA has a long history of folding in Atlanta personalities mid-season when the chemistry feels right.
What She Would Bring
Holt is a practiced reality player: strategic, camera-ready, and comfortable turning personal chapters into business. She left LAMH as a polarizing but ratings-savvy presence and has spent the last year positioning herself as a producer and brand builder rather than a full-time cast member. An RHOA appearance would give her a bigger platform without requiring her to live the same high-conflict life she recently walked away from.
Whether Bravo ultimately gives her a peach, a recurring friend-of slot, or simply lets the viral video do its work remains to be seen. What is clear is that she wanted viewers — and the production — to know she is in Atlanta and ready the moment filming begins.
Season 18 cameras are now rolling. The question is how quickly Melody Holt appears in the footage.
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The Real Housewives of Atlanta drama never really stays on the stage. Even after leaving the show, Kandi Burruss found herself pulled back into the mix when K. Michelle’s “Mean Girls of Atlanta” remark during the Season 17 reunion started circulating—and Kandi isn’t holding her tongue.
During Part 1 of the RHOA Season 17 reunion, Shamea Morton explained that certain women in her circle (referencing Kandi and others) weren’t thrilled about her growing close to K. Michelle. K. Michelle’s response? A pointed “The Mean Girls of Atlanta.” While she didn’t name Kandi directly, the timing and context left little room for interpretation in many viewers’ eyes—and clearly in Kandi’s.
Kandi Responds to K. Michelle’s Mean Girls of Atlanta Comment
Kandi addressed the shade head-on during an appearance on The Big Tigger Morning Show. When co-host Francesca Amiker brought up the reports that K. Michelle had labeled her a “mean girl,” the longtime RHOA alum kept it straightforward:
“I personally feel that mean girls can’t call other girls mean girls. It doesn’t work like that,” Kandi said. She added that if she’s being called a mean girl, then K. Michelle has been one too, pointing out the singer’s history of going after people on camera, calling them out of their names, and more. “If I’m a mean girl, she was a mean girl, too.”
Kandi also clarified her personal approach: “If you are not nice to me, I am not nice to you.” She described herself as a straightforward Taurus who matches energy rather than seeking out conflict.
The clip of her response quickly spread across X (including the one shared by accounts like @TheRhoaTalk), reigniting talk of the longstanding friction between K. Michelle and parts of Atlanta’s entertainment circle.
K. Michelle’s response and the deeper history
K. Michelle wasted little time firing back on X. She denied ever calling Kandi a mean girl specifically, writing that she’s “been calling the same two girls mean girls for years”—widely understood by fans to refer to longtime points of tension with Rasheeda Frost and Toya Wright (both connected to the broader Atlanta scene and Kandi’s orbit).
She didn’t stop there, throwing additional shade at the morning show host with a jab about someone allegedly calling Kandi “Tigger’s side piece.”
This latest exchange isn’t coming out of nowhere. The underlying issues between K. Michelle and Kandi’s circle stretch back years in Atlanta’s music and reality TV world. Kandi has long been known for her loyalty to her friends, including Rasheeda, with whom K. Michelle has had public and private clashes. Earlier in Season 17, tensions flared when Shamea left a hangout with K. Michelle to meet Kandi—without inviting the new Housewife—prompting questions about why certain doors stayed closed. Shamea later noted Kandi’s fierce loyalty as a factor.
Fans have also pointed to older drama involving mutual acquaintances and public accusations that have kept the sides from fully aligning. While Kandi and K. Michelle have both spoken respectfully of each other’s music careers at times, the personal and social circles have remained complicated.
For now, Kandi has made her position clear without diving into a full-blown war of words: energy gets matched, and labels like “mean girl” cut both ways. With the RHOA reunion still fresh and K. Michelle continuing to address the fallout, this chapter of Atlanta drama shows no signs of quieting down anytime soon.
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Real Housewives of Atlanta star Porsha Williams has finalized key remaining issues in her divorce from businessman Simon Guobadia, walking away with significant assets according to court documents.
Under the settlement agreement, Williams received the deed to the Atlanta mansion the couple once shared. Guobadia transferred his ownership interest in the property to her via a quitclaim deed. She is also entitled to more than $1.5 million—specifically $1,568,181.63—in reimbursement from his share of the property’s equity. In addition, she obtained clear title to a 2021 Rolls-Royce Ghost.
The agreement grants Williams full authority to refinance or sell the home in a commercially reasonable manner without needing involvement from Guobadia or an arbitrator. During an August 5, 2026, hearing, both parties confirmed the settlement terms under oath, stating that it resolved all remaining issues between them. Williams noted in her filing that Guobadia had already agreed to the terms of the consent order.
The couple married in November 2022 after a relatively short courtship. Williams filed for divorce in February 2024 after about 15 months of marriage, describing the relationship as irretrievably broken. Earlier stages of the proceedings involved enforcement of their prenuptial agreement, which had already provided for monthly spousal support, retention of certain vehicles, and arrangements regarding the home’s equity and expenses. Guobadia, who was deported to Nigeria amid immigration issues, had contested aspects of the prenup, but courts largely upheld its terms.
See Porsha Williams’ Buckhead estate.
This latest resolution appears to close out the property and vehicle-related disputes that lingered after the initial rulings. The multimillion-dollar Atlanta residence—previously reported as valued around $7 million and featuring five bedrooms and eight bathrooms—had been a central point of contention. Williams had been awarded exclusive use for a period, with Guobadia responsible for certain carrying costs in the interim, before this full transfer of the deed.
The settlement underscores the financial outcomes of a high-profile but brief marriage that played out partly in the public eye through reality television and subsequent legal filings. As with many celebrity divorces, the details emerged through court records obtained by outlets covering the case. Both parties have now formally resolved the outstanding matters under the agreement.
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It’s no secret that Real Housewives of Atlanta Season 17 has lived up to the hype. But rarely do we see the buildup as we have recently, thanks to Porsha Williams.
Porsha Williams, the iconic reality TV star, entrepreneur, and media personality, lit up New York City with a high-profile press run in early April 2026. Promoting the new season of RHOA (Season 17) alongside her brands Go Naked Hair and Pampered by Porsha, the Atlanta native brought her signature energy, style, and business savvy to the Big Apple.
A clip has gone viral, with many RHOA fans’ admiration for her styling, underscoring why Porsha remains a fan favorite.
Porsha Williams’ NYC Press Run: SiriusXM, Forbes, and More
Porsha documented the whirlwind tour herself, posting: “Press run in New York for the New season of Real Housewives of Atlanta & @GonakedHair & @pamperedbyporsha Stopped by SiriusXM, Forbes, and a few more interviews. So excited for you all to see this season!”
Key stops included:
- SiriusXM Studios (April 1, 2026) — She visited for interviews amid the celebrity circuit.
- Forbes — A deep-dive “Talks Shop” conversation published April 30, 2026, where she discussed building her business empire.
- Jeff Lewis Has Issues podcast — Appeared around April 10, teasing Season 17 drama and personal topics.
The tour blended promotion for the rebooted RHOA season with spotlight on her entrepreneurial ventures, perfectly showcasing the multifaceted Porsha.
Businesswoman First: Go Naked Hair, Pampered by Porsha, and Entrepreneurial Roots
In her Forbes interview, Porsha emphasized that entrepreneurship has always been core to her identity. Growing up with parents who built businesses (her mother owned childcare centers), she launched her own childcare center at age 24. She noted that while reality TV brought fame, her business foundation is what will endure: “That’s what I’ll do even when reality TV is gone.”
She promoted Go Naked Hair, her premium virgin hair brand that has grown into a multi-million-dollar venture (reportedly exceeding $10M in some coverage), and Pampered by Porsha, her luxurious bedding and sheets line inspired by her mother’s love of high-quality linens. Fans and interviewers raved about the products during the NYC stops.
Self-care also took center stage. Porsha shared her “mommy ritual” nighttime routine: a steamy shower, face steaming in bed on her Pampered by Porsha sheets, and winding down without screens. She described feeling most confident in meetings when dressed professionally, often in pantyhose and buttoned-up looks.
Teasing Season 17 and Personal Growth
The press run built major anticipation for RHOA Season 17, which premiered around early April 2026. Porsha teased the season’s mix of drama, friendships (including tensions and reconciliations), laughs, and personal storylines—such as her relationship with girlfriend Patrice “Sway” McKinney.
In various appearances, she addressed topics ranging from cast dynamics and her return to the spotlight to embracing authenticity in her personal life. The tour positioned her not just as a Housewife but as a central figure driving conversation in the franchise.
Style and Fan Frenzy
Porsha’s NYC appearances delivered on glam. Whether in tailored looks, statement shoes, or bold ensembles, she turned heads—exactly as captured in the viral X clip that reignited fan excitement months later. Outfits highlighted her proportions, confidence, and flair, with admirers online obsessing over everything from her hair to her footwear.
A Star Building an Empire
Porsha’s NYC press run was more than promo—it was a masterclass in leveraging her platform. From SiriusXM banter to Forbes business insights and podcast teases, she balanced RHOA hype with genuine entrepreneurship. With Season 17 delivering fresh drama and her brands expanding, Porsha continues to evolve as a reality TV veteran, mother to daughter Pilar, and savvy businesswoman.
Fans can’t get enough of her commanding presence—whether on screen, in interviews, or owning the streets of New York. As one viral post put it: “Porsha ThhhhEeee Williams honey!!” The queen of shade, style, and self-made success is still very much in her bag.
Stay tuned for more from Porsha as RHOA Season 17 unfolds and her empire continues to grow.
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Reality television star and restaurateur Kelli Potter (formerly known as Kelli Ferrell) is confronting fresh financial and legal challenges.
Creditors are moving to identify and potentially seize funds from her bank accounts to satisfy a default judgment exceeding $217,000 tied to a business loan for her restaurant chain.
RHOA Star Kelli Potter Faces Potential Bank Account Seizure Over $217K+ Debt from Years-Old Business Loan
The development was highlighted on July 15, 2026, in court documents posted online.
The Default Judgment and Collection Efforts
According to court documents obtained by TMZ and reported across multiple outlets, ARF Financial sued Potter and her company, Nana’s Chicken-N-Waffles LLC, in 2025 over an unpaid business debt. Potter and the LLC did not respond to the lawsuit, resulting in a default judgment against them.
The judgment includes approximately $217,370.21 in principal damages, plus $4,723.70 in attorney’s fees and court costs, along with post-judgment interest that continues to accrue. ARF Financial has since issued subpoenas to multiple banks to locate accounts that could be used to satisfy the debt.
Subpoenas of this nature are a standard step in judgment enforcement and do not automatically mean funds have been or will immediately be seized. However, they signal active efforts by the creditor to collect.
Connection to Her Divorce and Ex-Husband
A representative for Potter stated that the matter “stems from a business loan that [Kelli] and her ex-husband, Mr. Ferrell, obtained over five years ago, while married.” The debt reportedly surfaced during divorce proceedings, where Potter argued that her ex-husband, Mark Ferrell, should bear responsibility. He has disputed that claim.
The representative added that the team is “confident that this legal matter will be rightfully resolved,” noting that Potter had not been officially served in the matter as of the latest reporting (though the default judgment had already been entered against her and the LLC).
This financial issue adds to ongoing post-divorce disputes between Potter and Ferrell, including matters related to child support.
Potter’s Business and Reality TV Exploits
Potter joined The Real Housewives of Atlanta (RHOA) for Season 16. Her storyline has prominently featured the growth of her restaurant brand, Nana’s Chicken-N-Waffles. The chain recently expanded with a second location in Sandy Springs, Georgia, offering more space, an expanded menu, events, and brand partnerships (including a Disney activation).
Potter has emphasized her commitment to the brick-and-mortar business beyond reality television, calling the expansion “the best thing ever” and highlighting that the new location opened on schedule despite assumptions to the contrary.
The current debt collection efforts come amid this period of business growth and her increased visibility on the hit Bravo series.
Public and Media Reaction
The story quickly gained traction on social media following the Complex post and related coverage from TMZ, TheGrio, That Grape Juice, and others. Some online commentary has been critical of Potter’s financial management or priorities, while others note the complexities of business loans from a prior marriage and the challenges of default judgments when responses are not filed.
As of this writing, there has been no public statement directly from Potter herself, and no indication that funds have already been seized from her accounts. The situation remains fluid as her legal team works to address the judgment and any related disputes with her ex-husband.
This latest development underscores the financial pressures that can accompany reality television fame, entrepreneurial ventures, and personal transitions—even as Potter focuses on expanding her restaurant empire.
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The Real Housewives of Atlanta Season 17 keeps the peaches rolling with high-stakes group dynamics, lingering grudges, and a transatlantic trip that’s already delivering chaos. Fresh off domestic fireworks in Atlanta and Dallas, the ladies have jet-set to Scotland for what was supposed to be a bonding getaway—but early signs point to anything but kilts and calm.
RHOA: Kilts, Chaos & Reads
Episode Spotlight: “Kilts, Chaos & Reads” (S17, E13)The group has barely touched down before old wounds reopen. The Bailey Bowl drama (Angela Oakley’s basketball event honoring her mom) follows them across the pond, with Angela pressing Shamea Morton Mwangi hard over comments allegedly made to her daughter and questions about Shamea’s charity contributions. Shamea is left defending her name, her pockets, and her integrity in what promises to be a fiery confrontation.
Kelli Ferrell stands firmly (“10 toes down”) amid the fray, while much of the group stays noticeably silent—leaving Shamea feeling isolated and “side-eyed like a Traitor.” Expect pointed reads, defensive clapbacks, and the kind of group tension that Bravo does best.
Key Storylines to Watch:
- Scotland Trip Unfolds: Beyond the initial clashes, the ladies dive into Highland activities (think games, scenery, and more opportunities for drama). Upcoming episodes tease Pinky Cole receiving tough business news from home that brings her to tears, plus explosive family secrets between Porsha Williams and Shamea coming to a head.
- Porsha’s Personal Rollercoaster: Still navigating single life and potential romances, Porsha remains a central figure as alliances shift.
- Core Cast Dynamics: With full-time housewives including Porsha Williams, Phaedra Parks, Drew Sidora, Shamea Morton Mwangi, Angela Oakley, and Kelli Ferrell—plus newcomers K. Michelle and Pinky Cole, and Cynthia Bailey as a “friend of”—the mix of veteran shade and fresh energy keeps things unpredictable.
This mid-to-late season stretch amps up the international flair after earlier Dallas trips, sound bath attempts at peace, and Atlanta-based spats over business, texts, and loyalties. Fans can expect emotional highs, pointed fashion moments (kilts, anyone?), and the signature RHOA blend of glam, gossip, and genuine heart-to-hearts.
Where to Watch: Tune in on Bravo (check local listings for any July 4 marathon or encore slots) with next-day streaming on Peacock. New episodes typically air Sundays at 8/7c, with the season resuming fresh installments around July 12 after a brief break.
The peaches are serving international intrigue—don’t miss how the Scotland trip reshapes friendships (or fractures them further). Grab your tea and get ready for reads that hit harder than a Highland wind!
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TMZ Exclusive Video Shows RHOA Star Confident Amid $6,000 Monthly Income Disclosure in Chapter 11 Filing
In a striking display of resilience, The Real Housewives of Atlanta (RHOA) star and Slutty Vegan founder Pinky Cole is refusing to let public scrutiny of her finances get her down.
TMZ dropped an exclusive street interview on June 27, 2026, capturing the entrepreneur in New York City, where she appeared relaxed, smiling, and optimistic despite court documents revealing her listed monthly income as just $6,000 during her ongoing Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings.
Pinky Cole Unfazed by Bankruptcy
The video, shared via TMZ’s official account, shows Cole in a stylish black halter dress with short blonde hair, gesturing animatedly and exuding confidence as she addresses questions about her “dire financial situation.”
READ: Atlanta restaurateur Pinky Cole faces bankruptcy
According to TMZ, she emphasized that her flagship business, Slutty Vegan, is performing strongly and that she is actively turning it into a franchise operation. She reportedly offered a candid perspective on her circumstances, noting variations in financial hardship with a quip along the lines of “my broke and your broke is a different kind of broke.”
The Financial Details from Court Filings
Earlier in June 2026, TMZ obtained and reported on legal documents from Cole’s Chapter 11 case, filed in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Georgia. In a proposed plan of reorganization, she listed her monthly income at $6,000.
Read: Judge moves to seize Punky Cole’s home in bankruptcy
The accompanying budget breakdown paints a picture of tight personal finances:
- $200 on children’s expenses
- $800 on groceries
- $80 on gas
- $300 on medical costs
- $1,574 in Georgia state taxes
- $1,343 in federal taxes
This leaves roughly $1,500 per month in disposable income after essential outlays.
Cole originally filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in February 2026 to reorganize significant debts. Initial filings showed approximately $1.4 million in liabilities, including a $1.2 million obligation to the U.S. Small Business Administration (tied to a COVID-era loan) and about $192,000 owed to the Georgia Department of Revenue in taxes. Later amendments increased the reported total debt, with some updates citing figures approaching or exceeding $4 million as more creditors were detailed.
Chapter 11 bankruptcy allows debtors to restructure obligations while continuing business operations — a strategic move often used by entrepreneurs facing temporary setbacks rather than a sign of total collapse.
Who Is Pinky Cole?
Photo credit: Pinky Cole / Facebook Aisha “Pinky” Cole built Slutty Vegan into a cult-favorite plant-based fast-casual chain known for its bold flavors, indulgent vegan “burgers,” and unapologetic branding. Starting in Atlanta, the concept expanded to multiple locations nationwide, becoming a cultural staple in Black and vegan communities alike.
Cole joined the RHOA cast in a recent season, bringing her entrepreneurial energy and larger-than-life personality to the Bravo spotlight.
Despite the personal financial reorganization, Slutty Vegan locations remain operational, and Cole has expressed plans to grow the brand further through franchising.
Public Reaction and Context
Social media reactions to the TMZ video and filings have been largely supportive. Many fans and observers praise Cole’s transparency, positive attitude, and focus on business recovery. Comments highlight her glowing appearance in the interview and note that bankruptcy filings (especially Chapter 11) are common tools for business owners navigating challenges like post-pandemic recovery, loans, and taxes — not necessarily an indicator of personal ruin.
Some online discussions clarify that the $6,000 figure represents income listed in her name for the reorganization plan and may not reflect total household or business revenue streams.
Looking Ahead
Cole’s unbothered demeanor in the TMZ clip sends a clear message: she is treating this as one chapter in a longer story of building and rebuilding. With Slutty Vegan reportedly thriving and franchising on the horizon, the entrepreneur appears poised to emerge stronger.
As her bankruptcy case progresses through the reorganization plan, updates on creditor agreements and business performance will likely continue to surface. For now, Pinky Cole is reminding everyone that resilience, transparency, and a strong brand can coexist with financial restructuring — and that “broke” looks different depending on the lens.
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