Nene Leakes Does Not Renew Contract for 'Real Housewives of Atlanta'

While it has been a tumultuous and highly entertaining run on the 8-year-long, never-ending roller coast ride, alas, Nene Leakes is bidding farewell to Real Housewives Of Atlanta. "Bye Wig"? Indeed. According to People, arguably one of the biggest stars to emerge from the most popular of Bravo's hit Housewives franchise is moving on to bigger and better things and she feels as though "a weight has been lifted" after deciding not to renew her contract for season 8.

We've all witnessed the evolution of Leakes as well the growth of this particular franchise, and we've seen it grow beyond show creator Andy Cohen's wildest cash cow dreams. Nevertheless, the constant back and forth, superiority complexes and just plain old drama has left the show and it some of its cast feeling stagnant. Case in point, Leakes' decision to leave. She told People, "This was definitely a hard decision for me. Me and my husband [Gregg Leakes] have been going back and forth on it for weeks now. But my contract is up and I just think this is the right time. This is my opportunity to spread my wings and do different things." One of the other "things" Leakes mentions that she is moving on to do is reportedly a new primetime television project where the "Queen of One-Liners" will be free to showcase her acting chops and spunky personality to the world alongside a "legend," as she puts it.

We can never take away from the fact that Nene helped build the Housewives brand. Creator Andy Cohen tweeted out his support to the diva by saying, "We love @NeNeLeakes & she is always be welcome back to the house she helped build! She's a Real Housewife forever!!"

Undoubtedly, some fans and cast mates will definitely miss the self-proclaimed star of the show, as she was the highest paid Housewife, raking in a salary of over $1 M. However, one has to wonder how many viewers will truly miss Nene or stop tuning in because of her absence? Perhaps the show will benefit from some new blood. As Nene shared, it has been a wild and very rewarding time, but a girl has to know when to bow out gracefully and exit stage left....and maybe it really is that time for her. Will we miss her snarky, witty and larger than life personality from the franchise? Sure, but the show must go on. While her departure is definitely bittersweet, some of her cast mates don't seem too nonplussed or unhappy by her decision to leave.

Will you still be tuning in upon Leakes' departure? Share your thoughts on the big news below.

Tags

NeNe Leakes, RHOA, The Real Housewives of Atlanta