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Nene Leakes made it official and confirmed she was leaving The Real Housewives of Atlanta. Fans had feared this outcome for weeks as she hinted tense negotiations on social media. Although the exact reason for her departure is not known, Leakes has teased she will be telling her truth soon. The Glee alum also said she hoped Andy Cohen respected her just as much as he did Teddi Mellencamp.

Nene Leakes and Andy Cohen
Nene Leakes and Andy Cohen | Charles Sykes/Bravo/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images / Bravo/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images

Why is Nene Leakes leaving?

Filming for RHOA Season 15 had started and one notable absence was Leakes. Kandi Burruss, Kenya Moore, Cynthia Bailey, and Porsha Williams had all confirmed their return, but Leakes was particularly quiet. After weeks of hinting negotiations were not going well, she finally made an announcement on Thursday, September 17.

“I have made the very hard and difficult decision to not be a part of Real Housewives of Atlanta Season 13,” the star said on YouTube. “It wasn’t an easy decision for me. It was hard.”

Leakes was the OG of the Atlanta-based franchise and was iconic from the very first season. The Fashion Police alum is proud of having been someone that paved the way for many other women after her.

“You could’ve never told me that I would star on this little show and it’d still be going strong 13 years later,” Leakes reflected. “I’m just so happy that I can say that I was a part of a genre that opened up doors for Black ensemble reality shows to step up and be a part of what we all now love so much, reality TV.”

Nene Leakes has more to say

Despite sounding optimistic about her future after RHOA and making it seem she was happy with her decision, things have taken a dark turn. Since confirming her exit, Leakes has thrown shade at Andy Cohen and Bravo.

When a fan asked if the cable network was giving Leakes a new starring vehicle she replied tweeting, “They don’t think I deserve to work at all in any [capacity].”

A fan interpreted her words as her saying she was forced out of RHOA and the cable network.

“They definitely did,” Leakes replied.

Later on, Leakes mentioned Andy in another tweet where she teased there was going to be more to come.

“Andy said he respected Teddi [Mellencamp] for telling the truth about her exit,” she tweeted. “Well, I can’t wait to tell my truth. I hope I get just as much respect.”

What does Teddi Mellencamp have to do with Andy Cohen?

The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Teddi Mellencamp, recently announced her exit from the show after three seasons.

“I don’t want to bore you but I’d figure I could give you a little update on what’s going on,” Mellencamp posted on her Instagram Stories. “Recently found out that my contract as a housewife is not being renewed.”

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Cohen was impressed at how honest Mellencamp was about breaking the news to fans of her departure.

“Teddi Mellencamp released what I thought was one of the most, no BS, ‘I’m leaving’ announcements on record,” Cohen said on Radio Andy. “I thought that was really good. She’s an accountability coach. So she checked herself.”

Cohen has not replied to any of Leakes’ tweets as of now.