credit: @neneleakes
Nene Leakes isn’t one to shy away from controversy. The former Real Housewives of Atlanta star knows a thing or two about drama, and she’s not quiet about it, either. She’s been through her fair share of ups and downs with the Bravo network and her former RHOA co-stars, but her legal battles with the network keep fans interested. If you’re unaware, Leakes filed a lawsuit accusing the network and Andy Cohen of fostering a workplace culture that’s both ‘racially insensitive and inappropriate.’ They even went so far as to say that type of behavior is ‘encouraged’ by both. This has fans wanting to know even more about Nene Leakes. Who is she, really?
1. Her Marriage Ended in Divorce and Again in Death
Fans who watch her on reality television know that Nene Leakes and her husband did not make it through filming. It’s a housewives curse; many marriages end in divorce once cameras are inside the most intimate, personal moments of a star’s life. Nene married Gregg Leakes in 1997, but she filed for divorce in 2010. The divorce was finalized in 2011, and the couple was re-engaged and planning their television wedding by 2013. They were re-married, and this time their marriage ended in death. Gregg Leakes was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2016 and went into remission. When his cancer returned in the summer of 2021, surgery did not save his life. He died on September 1, 2021. She is now a widow.
2. Nene Leakes Allegedly Moved on Quickly
There is no set timeframe in which it is appropriate to move on following the end of a marriage or the loss of a spouse. Some people never move on. Others move on quickly, which is often a coping mechanism for heartbreak. Nene Leakes moved on quickly after her husband’s death. She was photographed holding hands with a new man only 3 months after her husband passed. His name is Nyonisela Sioh.
3. Gregg Leakes Told His Wife to Find Love
According to an Instagram post shared by Leakes following the death of her husband, they had a heart-to-heart toward the end of his life. He wants his wife to find love and be happy, and she’s doing that. She goes so far as to talk about how hard grieving is and how it’s harder and more depressing when she’s alone. While there are always going to be those who don’t understand moving on quickly, being alone is difficult and depressing. It’s not up to anyone else to decide how a person grieves following a tragic loss.
4. She Accused Andy Cohen of Using Her
She’s not afraid to say what is on her mind, and Andy Cohen is one thing on her mind. She claims the Bravo star only likes to have her around so he can name-drop and use her for ratings. She calls him a ‘master manipulator,’ among other things.
credit: @neneleakes
5. Is Nene Leakes in a Good Place with Kandi Burruss?
The truth is, they ended their last bit of filming together on good terms. However, Burruss has made public comments disagreeing with the legal action taken by Leakes. She doesn’t agree with Leakes, but she also makes it clear she feels everyone is entitled to their own opinion and their own feelings. She seems to feel the entire lawsuit and the entire situation is over money, though she doesn’t know how much anyone else earns for the show other than herself.
6. Leakes Accused Wendy Williams of Using Cocaine
When Andy Cohen and Wendy Williams discussed Nene’s departure from the show – her second departure – Williams alleged that Leakes needs an income. She went on to say that there is no other viable way for Leakes to earn money other than being a housewife because no one wants to see her everyday life outside of the drama caused on RHOA. In response to the criticism, Leakes tweeted, ‘she on cocaine, so they should stop using her to talk! They both need my help with their poor ratings.’
7. Nene Leakes is Her Own Biggest Fan
Don’t get us wrong; we don’t think this is a bad thing. However, she’s her own biggest fan. She’s made it clear time and again that she’s the reason the Atlanta franchise is the best and most interesting. She’s made it clear she doesn’t feel that anyone else is as good as she is when it comes to good television. She should feel that way. Everyone should be their own biggest fan – your own opinion of yourself is the only one that matters, after all.
8. Did She Ever Have Feelings for Peter Thomas?
It’s a longstanding question her fans have. When Leakes introduced her friends Cynthia Bailey and Peter Thomas to RHOA so many seasons ago, fans thought the two seemed awfully close. Leakes made several comments about Peter being handsome and having great skin, and fans were quick to wonder. However, she’s made it clear more than once that she was never interested in moving in on her friend’s man. The truth, though, is she did have feelings for him. Feelings of jealousy if you ask other sources. She was accused of being unhappy that he would steal her scenes.
credit: @neneleakes
9. Is Nene Leakes a Homewrecker?
Yes, she is, according to the wife of her boyfriend. She reportedly knew that her new man, Nyonisela Sioh is married. Yet, she chose to see him despite his wife in the picture. In fact, it’s been reported that Sioh’s wife, Malomine Tehmeh-Sioh, filed a lawsuit against Leakes in the wake of her stealing her husband.
10. Why Does Nene Leakes Have So Many Feuds?
Honestly, no one knows. It could be that she’s the problem considering that she is the only common denominator in all of her feuds. However, it could be her outspokenness that causes people to have issues with her. She also has no patience for others, and she’s quick to say what she’s thinking without actually thinking about what she is saying. So, there are many reasons she might not have many friends on the show, but we can only speculate.