The Real Housewives of Atlanta Season 16 is finally here. The beloved Real Housewives staple is back on our screens in just a few weeks, and Bravo just dropped the trailer for the highly anticipated season.
Filming of season 16 was certainly interesting, as reports of some pretty big fallouts hit the internet last year, including the sudden exit of RHOA mainstay Kenya Moore from the cast, and the reintroduction of Phaedra Parks in the final hour. Finally we're getting a look at this season, and from the trailer alone, it's clear Bravo is not shying away from the drama.
Who is in the RHOA Season 16 cast?
Porsha Williams
On Feb. 13, 2024 it was announced that longtime RHOA fan favorite Porsha Williams would be returning to the franchise as a part of an overall deal with NBCUniversal. Williams joined the franchise in Season 5 and stuck around until the end of Season 13 when she departed. She'll now be returning for Season 16 as a part of a refresh to the franchise.
Phaedra Parks
Fresh off of her electric stint on The Traitors, Phaedra Parks is being called back to help save RHOA. After Kenya Moore's exit, the franchise, which was already in disarray, seemed on the brink of ruin. However, on July 30, 2024, Parks posted a photo of herself on Instagram holding a peach with the caption, "You called. I answered." Phaedra exited the show after Season 9, and has been starring on Married to Medicine recently, but Bravo seems to have called in a pinch hitter.
Drew Sidora
While the fate of Drew Sidora's return to RHOA hung in the balance for months, she finally became the second of only two Season 15 returnees alongside Kenya Moore when the full cast was announced. However, after Moore exited, she became the only returnee. Drew joined RHOA for Season 13, with Season 16 marking her fourth on the show, making her the housewife with the third-longest tenure on the cast after Williams and Parks.
Shamea Morton Mwangi
Former cheerleader and radio personality Shamea Morton Mwangi has finally earned her peach after more than a decade linked to the franchise. Shamea originally appeared as a guest way back in Season 5 and has appeared on every season with the exception of Season 14 since. She even briefly served as a "friend of" back in Season 8. However, now is finally her time to shine.
Brit Eady
Brit Eady is the first of three new housewives joining RHOA in Season 16. According to her Instagram, Eady is an "insurance expert" and entrepreneur. With photos on private jets and business advice reels, she will certainly be bringing some business acumen to the lineup.
Kelli Ferrell
The RHOA ladies will be eating good in Season 16 thanks to chef and resteraunteur Kelli Ferrell. The owner of Nana's Chicken-N-Waffles and cookbook writer has previously appeared on Food Network, OWN and Good Morning America, and serves fashion while doing so. Let's hope she'll also be able to cook up some drama.
Angela Oakley
The last addition to Season 16 will be Angela Oakley, who describes herself on Instagram as a "finanace & real estate mogul" as well as "mommy." Of the three new cast members, she's the one with the smallest digital footprint, so it will be interesting to see what kind of energy she'll be bringing to the new season.
Who is leaving RHOA Season 16?
Kandi Burruss
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Kandi Burruss
After 14 seasons on RHOA, the franchise's longest running housewife is bowing out. Burruss announced on Feb. 4, 2024 that she would not be returning as she is focusing on other ventures. A producer, songwriter and businesswoman, Burruss certainly has plenty to keep her busy.
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Marlo Hampton
Following Burruss's exit, on-again, off-again cast member Marlo Hampton told Today.com on Feb. 24, 2024, "My contract with Real Housewives of Atlanta ended when season 15 wrapped. This break from RHOA is a fresh start, allowing me the space to participate in new creative entertainment projects focused on my future, and not reliving my past.”
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Sanya Richards-Ross
Sanya Richards-Ross will also be exiting the show after only two seasons, Andy Cohen revealed on his Sirius XM show. She and Hampton joined the cast at the same time and haven't brought the energy that the franchise needed.
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Sheree Whitfield
And for the third time, Sheree Whitfield is exiting The Real Housewives of Atlanta. After appearing as one of the original housewives back on Season 1, Sheree left after Season 4 only to return for Seasons 9 and 10. She then departed a second time, returning for Seasons 14 and 15. Now it appears she may be gone for good. Her name did not appear among the new cast listed on Bravo's press release. She's yet to make a statement about her departure.
Is Kenya Moore on RHOA?
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Kenya Moore
The big question going into Season 16 is whether or not we would see Kenya Moore. While she is not in the official cast for the season, the trailer has confirmed we will indeed see Moore for at least a portion of it.
Moore was originally cast on Season 16, but after an altercation during filming, Moore exited the show mid-season. People reported on July 25 that Moore had exited the franchise. According to their sources, this came after Moore allegedly showed explicit photos of Brittany Eady on camera at a group event. Rumors have circulated that this followed Eady allegedly threatening Moore with a gun.
Moore has spoken out on social media stating, "The rumors and narrative about me randomly showing nudes or revenge [porn] is 1000% untrue. I have proof and will share soon."
In her vacation photo on Instagram she also wrote, "My heart is full and my conscience is clear. My life is blessed. My daughter and I will continue to thrive in a non-toxic environment where we feel appreciated and most importantly, protected."
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Who are the Friends of the Housewives for RHOA Season 16?
Cynthia Bailey
And just like that, Cynthia Bailey has returned. The longstanding housewife entered the franchise way back in Season 3 alongside Phaedra Parks and stuck around through Season 13. After several years away from the franchise, she'll now be back in a limited capacity for Season 16
