Rumors have been swirling that NeNe, who left the Bravo hit series for a primetime ABC game show with Betty White, quit as a hardball tactic to command a higher salary in order to come back as a ‘Friend of the Housewives’ for season 8, reports Reality Tea.
NeNe is putting an end to the speculation, saying she is “definitely” taking this season off and will not appear at all – even in a guest role. “I love Bravo – they’re my family – I may pop up and play with those girls and every now and then. I’m sure I’ll come back at some point, I just won’t come back in season 8,” she clarifies.
NeNe insists that leaving the show was purely to follow a great opportunity. “It’s not about the money,” she continued. “If it were about the money, I would have stayed.”
NeNe’s manager Steven Grossman tells Perez Hilton that Ms. Leakes’ quitting definitely wasn’t a PR stunt!
“[NeNe was] never negotiating with Bravo for the upcoming eighth season of RHOA,” he states. “Her departure was driven by what made the most sense in terms of her long term career objectives and everything else she wants to accomplish.”
“Talent frequently get too comfortable and stay somewhere longer than they should because they are paralyzed by fear,” Steven elaborates. “Show business often requires risk in order for there to be a reward. If you aren’t willing to bet on yourself then nobody else will bet on you either.”
“Nene’s Broadway debut at the end of last season was a real full circle moment celebrating her journey. It felt like her story had been told and creatively the right way to end this chapter,” describes Steven. “This isn’t necessarily goodbye to RHOA forever – just goodbye for now.”
Are you going to miss NeNe on RHOA? Sound off in the comment below!
Photo Credit: Bravo