Now ya’ll know you should’ve taken her seriously when she said “I’m rich b*tch!”
All of the Real Housewives of Atlanta have reportedly signed on for season six, but one of them had an extra incentive: NeNe Leakes, who is arguably one of the most popular stars of the entire franchise, was just given a hefty raise. NeNe was allegedly awarded a new $1 million contract, plus bonuses, making her the highest-paid housewife of the Real Housewives franchise, Radar Online is exclusively reporting.
The past year has been pretty successful for the Bravo star, who transitioned from a reality TV star into a prime-time TV actress. NeNe joined the cast of Glee in the third season in a recurring role as the Olympic bronze-medalist and synchronized swimming coach, Coach Roz Washington. NeNe is also starring in The New Normal, as Rocky Rhoades.
“NeNe is the one viewers watch. She knows that, Bravo knows that and that’s why they gave her a raise,” a source close to Bravo production reportedly told Radar. “She likes being on the show. NeNe is really happy with the New Normal and Glee, where she can be a real actress, but she knows her bread and butter comes from Bravo and that’s why she’s coming back, ‘cause she can’t turn the money down!”
NeNe hasn’t always been living the good life, though: she has discussed her past as a stripper, as well as a victim of domestic violence, on the show. NeNe divorced her husband Gregg Leakes in 2011, amid allegations of his infidelity, but reconciled with him recently and announced earlier this year that she was engaged to Gregg for the second time.
The executive vice-president of Bravo and host of Watch What Happens Live, Andy Cohen, mentioned NeNe when he was asked on The Today Show who his favorite housewife was. Andy responded by saying that while he loves them all, he is particularly proud of NeNe right now: “You know, NeNe Leakes is going through a major period of success — from, of course, The Real Housewives of Atlanta. She’s got a starring role in The New Normal on NBC. I’m especially proud of her right now.”
Radar’s source said that NeNe’s raise isn’t likely to go unnoticed by the other ladies: “Everyone gets it, NeNe is the favorite, but they’re still jealous, of course. They wish they could earn what NeNe makes because they don’t think she would be nearly as popular without fighting with them.”
Congratulations to NeNe for all her success and thank you for not forgetting where you came from: Real Housewives of Atlanta!
Catch NeNe along with the rest of the Real Housewives of Atlanta on part two of the reunion this Sunday, April 14, at 8/7c on Bravo.
Top photo: Bravo
Bottom photo: FayesVision/WENN.com
