NeNe Leakes Called Kim Zolciak After Son’s Arrest

NeNe Leakes is getting real about where she stands with her former “Real Housewives of Atlanta” co-stars. In a new interview, the veteran reality star said that while she wouldn’t consider herself to be best friends with any of the “RHOA” ladies today, she’s not in a bad place with them either. In fact, Leakes, who joined the cast of “The Real Housewives” in 2008, said she recently connected with a few of them, including her frenemy, Kim Zolciak.

Leakes appeared on the “Big Tigger Morning Show” recently and discussed her life, career, and, of course, her run on “The Real Housewives of Atlanta.”

When the conversation shifted to Leakes’ relationships with some of the women, the Atlanta OG clarified that she’s not best friends with them, but they’re cordial.

“I’m cool with Kim,” Leakes said. “When you say the word friend … that’s just a real serious word to me. Friend, no. Associates? Yes.”

Leakes and Zolciak both starred in the first several seasons of “RHOA,” and throughout the years, the two bumped heads over rumors and autotuned music tracks. Despite that, Leakes said she connected with Zolciak after learning that her son was arrested.

“I just hit her up wanting to know how she’s doing, congratulated her on Brielle, and made sure she was okay with what her son is dealing with. I know that’s a tough time, and I know she’s not okay.”

Leakes explained that she frequently connects with women from the show. However, they aren’t in constant contact. “If I need to call any of them on the show, they all will answer,” she said. “I don’t have no beef to the level where they won’t answer my call.”

In addition to Zolciak, Leakes said she recently connected with a few other “RHOA” cast members, including her longtime pal, Cynthia Bailey. “I’m not fighting with anybody,” she said. “I call Kenya; she’s answering. Marlo; she’s answering. Cynthia, I spoke to her just two days ago; we don’t have a beef. But we’re just not close like people think that we are, but we don’t have a beef.”

NeNe Leakes Shoots Down ‘RHOA’ Return In Passionate Statement

According to a previous report from The Blast, Leakes also spoke about the possibility of her ever returning to the series and said that she doesn’t think it’s likely.

“I think Andy has come out and said publicly that – I don’t think that he actually said the exact words, but I think what everybody took from it is NeNe won’t be back. So, NeNe won’t be back,” she said. “NeNe won’t be back. I don’t feel anything. NeNe won’t be back.”

Still, Leakes said that she’d be open to returning to the show in a much smaller capacity. “I would go and play with them, but as far as me actually holding a peach and all over here sitting on the couch, no. I can’t do that. That’ll drive me crazy,” she added.

Leakes Was Featured On ‘Real Housewives: Ultimate Girls Trip’

Leakes’ comments come a week after her appearance on Bravo’s “Real Housewives: Ultimate Girls Trip.” In episode 4, the mother of two returned to the franchise during a drag show hosted in Atlanta. The following episode, Leakes clashed with “RHOA” OG Lisa Wu during the Alter Ego event.

Speaking to a producer on set, Leakes revealed how she felt being back in front of the cameras. “My stomach was kind of hurting a little bit, kind of, you know, like, nervous hurt,” she said. “I don’t know how they are, you know. I just hope they’re nice to me”

The Women Were Happy To See Leakes

Throughout the two episodes, the principal cast of “RHUGT” shared how excited they were to see Leakes back with the women.

“I’m so happy Nene’s here. And, I don’t know, I feel like we have, like, this sisterhood, like no competition or anything like that. We always, like, respected each other,” Teresa Giudice said in her confessional.

Kyle Richards shared a similar statement, telling producers she has fond memories of her time with Leakes, since she was the first cast member from another franchise she became friends with. “We just always had each other’s back. I’ve missed her,” Richards said.