Andy Cohen calls RHOA alum Nene Leakes an ‘icon of the genre’ and a ‘catchphrase machine’ after she quits Bravo show

ANDY Cohen has called NeNe Leakes "an icon" after it was confirmed she had quit the Real Housewives franchise after 12 years.

Nene announced she is leaving The Real Housewives of Atlanta in an emotional video posted Thursday, confirming weeks of rumors. 

In response, Andy shared a series of private pictures and said: "Nene Leakes is an icon of the genre.

"She is a gif and catchphrase machine. In 11 years of #WWHL, Nene has been our most frequent guest, and she is always A BLAST.

"Nene nicknamed me 'Buttercup' the first day we met, and still calls me that today. Through her whole run, she has always had a serious concern and drive to maintain the success and well-being of #RHOA."

He concluded: "I am going to miss Nene on the show, but I’m hoping we work together again soon and will remain in each other’s orbits forever.
XO, Buttercup."

The longtime member of the Bravo franchise has faced rumors she will not return for season 13 of the reality series after starring on the show since day one.

Nene, 43, shared the surprise message titled “Listen Closely, I got something to tell you” to her YouTube channel. 

In the nearly six-minute video, the Georgia native admitted she could not strike a deal with Bravo after a series of “emotional negotiations.”

She choked up as she confirmed: "I have made a hard, difficult decision to not be part of Real Housewives of Atlanta season 13."

As the TV personality appeared more emotional, she reiterated: “It wasn't an easy decision for me. It was hard."

She opened up about the the "tough" process of leaving the show: "Thank you to all of you guys that have been showing me a lot of love and support as of late.

"I feel you, I hear you. I have been on an extremely, extremely long, exhausting, tiring, emotional negotiation.

"There has been a lot of emotion flying on both sides." 

Nene joined the show in season one and remained a main cast member until season seven, before appearing as a "friend" on season eight.

She skipped season nine and rejoined as a main housewife for seasons 10-12.

In June, The Sun revealed Nene was pushing for her own show at E! after shutting down claims she was fired from RHOA.

NeNe's departure from the long running reality series comes as execs hired "younger" stars for the show.

It was reported in July that Drew Sidora, 35, and YouTuber Latoya Ali, 33, were in the running to join the cast of the show.