<p id=”par-1_57″>NeNe Leakes just received the ultimate compliment from Cynthia Erivo. The <em>Wicked</em> star mentioned Leakes as she chatted about her favorite reality TV show, <em><a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/tag/the-real-housewives-of-atlanta/?swcfpc=1″>The Real Housewives of Atlanta</a></em>. To receive a callout from this year’s “it” musical actor must’ve made Leakes’ day. She responded with exactly what it would take to <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/rhoa-producer-reveals-nene-leakes-return-slamming-andy-cohen-discrimination-claims.html/”>get her back on <em>RHOA</em></a>.</p>
<figure class=”wp-block-image size-full” id=”emb-1″><img decoding=”async” src=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Cynthia-Erivo-NeNe-Leakes.webp?strip=all&quality=80″ alt=”Side by side photos of Cynthia Erivo and NeNe Leakes in 2024″ class=”wp-image-3762175″><figcaption class=”wp-element-caption”>Cynthia Erivo before the 2025 National Board of Review Annual Awards Gala; NeNe Leakes at a Houston party in 2024 | Gilbert Carrasquillo/GC Images; Marcus Ingram/Getty Images</figcaption></figure>
<p id=”par-2_91″>You can’t escape Cynthia Erivo this winter. <em>Wicked</em> has skyrocketed the 38-year-old to household-name status as she promotes the blockbuster film. With fame comes interviews, including a fun Q&A with <em><a href=”https://www.wmagazine.com/culture/cynthia-erivo-wicked-cover-interview-2024″ target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener”>W Magazine</a></em>. The publication asked Erivo about her favorite reality show. She replied, “<em>The Real Housewives of Atlanta</em>. I also love <em>Potomac. </em>It’s fantastic. They’re very honest, which I like. Also, there’s no fighting or fisticuffs, but they will read each other crazily.” She continued, “I am a NeNe Leakes fan. I love her. Where is she? <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/nene-leakes-trades-bravo-lifetime-new-reality-series.html/”>Bring her back, please</a>. She’s great.”</p>
<figure class=”wp-block-image size-full” id=”emb-2″><img decoding=”async” src=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/NeNe-Leakes-January-2025.webp?strip=all&quality=80″ alt=”TV personality NeNe Leakes wears a black outfit and poses on a sidewalk in NYC” class=”wp-image-3762174″><figcaption class=”wp-element-caption”>NeNe Leakes before the ‘Tamron Hall Show’ on January 10, 2025 in New York City | MEGA/GC Images</figcaption></figure>
<p id=”par-3_61″>Leakes was <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/rhoa-cynthia-bailey-unfortunate-nene-leakes-andy-cohen-relationship-ended-hopes-reconciliation.html/”>quick to respond</a> to Erivo’s callout. “Cynthia, I love you, thank you so much, and I totally agree,” she told <a href=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2TO2oDq93t4″ target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener”>TMZ</a> on January 10. When asked about a possible comeback, the 57-year-old paused before stating, “I don’t know, if the opportunity was right and the check was on point, why not?” Leakes gave her signature chuckle before walking away.<a href=”https://www.usmagazine.com/entertainment/pictures/celebs-that-love-the-real-housewives-franchise/” target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener”></a><a href=”https://www.usmagazine.com/entertainment/pictures/celebs-that-love-the-real-housewives-franchise/” target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener”></a></p>
<figure class=”wp-block-image size-full” id=”emb-3″><img decoding=”async” src=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/DeShawn-Snow-NeNe-Leakes-Sheree-Whitfield-Kim-Zolciak-Lisa-Wu-Hartwell.webp?strip=all&quality=80″ alt=”The Real Housewives of Atlanta stars DeShawn Snow, NeNe Leakes, Sheree Whitfield, Kim Zolciak, and Lisa Wu Hartwell film Season 2 at a party” class=”wp-image-3762170″><figcaption class=”wp-element-caption”>DeShawn Snow, NeNe Leakes, Sheree Whitfield, Kim Zolciak, and Lisa Wu Hartwell at the 2007 NBC Press Tour | Paul Drinkwater/NBCU Photo Bank</figcaption></figure>
<p id=”par-4_83″>Leakes’ transformation from a C-list actor to a reality TV star unfolded on <em>The Real Housewives of Atlanta</em> for 11 years. The mother of two quickly became a standout personality due to her bold personality, humor, and <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/rhoa-does-nene-leakes-talk-phaedra-parks.html/”>ability to stir drama</a>. Leakes is widely regarded as the face of <em>RHOA</em> and a major influence on the franchise’s success. Fans will never forget her tumultuous friendship with Kim Zolciak — “Close your legs to married men!” — and her husband Gregg’s battle with cancer.</p>
<figure class=”wp-block-image size-full” id=”emb-4″><img decoding=”async” src=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Sheree-Whitfield-Lisa-Wu-Hartwell-NeNe-Leakes-Kandi-Burruss-The-Real-Housewives-of-Atlanta.webp?strip=all&quality=80″ alt=”The Real Housewives of Atlanta stars Sheree Whitfield, Lisa Wu Hartwell, NeNe Leakes, and Kandi Burruss take a photo together in 2009″ class=”wp-image-3762169″><figcaption class=”wp-element-caption”>Sheree Whitfield, Lisa Wu Hartwell, NeNe Leakes, and Kandi Burruss from ‘The Real Housewives of Atlanta’ at the 2009 BET Awards | Maury Phillips/WireImage</figcaption></figure>
<p id=”par-5_96″>Leakes filmed the inaugural season in 2008 and continued through Season 12 in 2019, taking a break for Season 9. This break coincided with Leakes’ biggest TV role to date: appearing on <em>Glee</em> as Roz Washington for 13 episodes. After exiting <em>RHOA</em> and returning, Leakes left for good in September 2020. Only one other <em>RHOA</em> cast member has appeared on more seasons of <em>RHOA</em> than the Queens, New York native. <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/rhoa-nene-leakes-fake-beef-kandi-burruss-birthday.html/”>Kandi Burruss filmed</a> <em>The Real Housewives of Atlanta</em> from 2009 to 2023, solidifying a record 14 years on the show, from seasons 2 through 15. </p>
<figure class=”wp-block-image size-full” id=”emb-5″><img decoding=”async” src=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Nene-Leakes-2024.webp?strip=all&quality=80″ alt=”Wearing a black jumpsuit, Nene Leakes smiles at the Doo-Wop All R&B Soul Music Day Party” class=”wp-image-3762171″><figcaption class=”wp-element-caption”>Nene Leakes at a Las Vegas party in 2024 | Prince Williams/Getty Images</figcaption></figure>
<div class=”related-article related-article–simple”>
<span class=”related-article-flag”>Related</span>
<p class=”related-article__title”>
<a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/rhoa-alum-nene-leakes-explains-dropping-lawsuit-against-bravo-and-andy-cohen.html/”>
‘RHOA’ Alum Nene Leakes Explains Dropping Lawsuit Against Bravo and Andy Cohen </a>
</p>
</div>
<p id=”par-6_59″>NeNe Leakes attributed her decision to leave <em>The Real Housewives of Atlanta</em> ahead of its 13th season to contract negotiations with Bravo breaking down. She expressed dissatisfaction with the terms offered, believing she wasn’t receiving fair or respectful treatment from the network. Leakes later hinted that the negotiations were <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/rhoa-alum-nene-leakes-explains-dropping-lawsuit-against-bravo-and-andy-cohen.html/”>tied to issues of racism and mistreatment</a>, reports <a href=”https://apnews.com/article/business-lifestyle-arts-and-entertainment-lawsuits-race-ethnicity-8f2d5e0a22c28c12561c470992273900″>AP News</a>.</p>