There’s bad news for Kenya Moore fans. The “Queen of Shade” confirmed she’s not returning for season 17 of The Real Housewives of Atlanta.
Moore broke the news during a YouTube Live Q&A with fans on Saturday, July 26. As she answered questions about the show’s season 16 reunion, a fan asked if she could spill any “tea” about the season 17 cast.
“I do know that they’re adding two new housewives to the team, and I think you guys kind of know them both. One is a business person — she’s a restauranteur,” Kenya shared.
She revealed the other new cast member was on Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta and is a singer. A fan mentioned rapper Rasheeda Frost and Kenya said “no.” Someone else brought up R&B and country singer K. Michelle, and Kenya admitted “that’s a good guess.”
Related: ‘RHOA’ Season 16 Reunion: Drew Sidora Drags Porsha Williams for ‘Flop’ Return
The Neighborhood Talk also reported K. Michelle will be joining the show, along with Slutty Vegan CEO Pinky Cole, although nothing has been confirmed.
Kenya said next season’s RHOA cast is “pretty much” set and the Bravo series will begin filming in two weeks. A fan asked if she would be getting a peach.
“Will I be part of the cast? As of now, no. That could change, I keep hearing a lot of different things. We have been in talks. But, as of this moment, it’s a no,” she said.
According to TV Deets, Kenya wasn’t asked back because of fallout from the $20 million lawsuit her frenemy Brit Eady filed against Bravo, NBCUniversal, and the show’s production companies, claiming she was harmed when Kenya displayed sexually explicit images, said to be of her, during filming of season 16.
The images allegedly showed Brit performing a sex act. Kenya said she obtained the pictures via a private investigator. As the controversy grew, the former Miss USA was “suspended indefinitely” from the show.
The incident aired during an episode titled “About Last Night” on April 6.
Brit filed her lawsuit June 5, in New York State Supreme Court, as previously reported.
A month later, she released a statement announcing her exit from the show after one season. Brit also skipped the season 16 reunion taping and insisted the woman in the photos “was not me.”
Sources close to the show told TV Deets Eady’s lawsuit made it difficult for producers to bring Kenya back.
“A lot of people [here at Bravo] really like Kenya but the lawsuit is a complete mess. She won’t be on Season 17 but I wouldn’t be surprised if she’s back once all of this is done,” a source told the outlet.
Kenya talks about the RHOA season 17 cast below at the 23-minute mark.
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