Andy Cohen Reacts to Nene Leakes' RHOA Exit: "An Icon of the Genre"
The Real Housewives of Atlanta OG cast member announced her departure in a YouTube video.
Nene Leakes officially announced her exit from The Real Housewives of Atlanta, in a September 17 video on her YouTube channel. "I have made the very hard and difficult decision not to be a part of Real Housewives of Atlanta Season 13. It wasn't an easy decision for me. It was hard," she said."
In a September 17 Instagram post, Andy Cohen reacted to the news alongside a collection of photos with Nene over the years, writing, “Nene Leakes is an icon of the genre. She is a GIF and catchphrase machine. In 11 years of WWHL, Nene has been our most frequent guest, and she is always A BLAST.”
Andy also shared some insight on the friendship the two have shared during Nene's time as a cast member, which was from Seasons 1 through 7, and Seasons 10 through 12.
“Nene nicknamed me ‘Buttercup’ the first day we met, and still calls me that today. Through her whole run, she has always had a serious concern and drive to maintain the success and well-being of RHOA,” wrote Andy. “I am going to miss Nene on the show, but I’m hoping we work together again soon and will remain in each other’s orbits forever. XO, Buttercup.”
Of course, to celebrate Nene’s iconic run as a cast member, Andy included a series of hashtags nodding to some of her most memorable catchphrases, including, “Bloop,” “Close your legs to married men,” “I said what I said,” “Bye wig,” and “So nasty and so rude.”
The Real Housewives of New York City cast member Sonja Morgan commented on the post, writing, “Love my Nene Leakes. I’ll be seeing you off screen. And for always. Love you lady.” Marysol Patton of The Real Housewives of Miami chimed in to say, “She is the best! I love her. Great friend through the years!!! Hell yes to the OGs.”
