PHOTOSRHOA Producers Are Worried Show’s Ratings Will Drop Without NeNe Leakes — Inside Their Plan To Make Season 8 A Success!
Oct. 8 2015, Updated 6:01 p.m. ET
The Real Housewives of Atlanta’s first teaser trailer for the show’s upcoming Season 8 was packed with dramatic moments. However, new reports have revealed that the show’s producers and network are keeping a close watch over the series' ratings now that RHOA vet NeNe Leakes has parted ways with the show!
Season 8 will be the first time that Leakes will not be starring on the Bravo hit. She annouced her departure over the summer, leading to Bravo making a major shakeup to the show’s lineup for Season 8!
Kandi Burruss, Cynthia Bailey, Porsha Williams, Kenya Moore, Phaedra Parks and RHOA newbie Kim Fields have officially been revealed as the new season’s full-time housewives. However, the reports claim that the network is concerned that the new cast and the return of Shereé Whitfield as a part-time housewife still may not be enough to keep the show’s ratings from slipping during Season 8.
Since she was the last original housewife on the show, Leakes pulled in a great deal of viewers with her shady lines and huge personality. Burruss is now taking Leakes’ spot as the show’s veteran cast member. But even with the music industry maven sharing her pregnancy journey on Season 8, fans are questioning if Burruss and her storyline will be enough to keep fans interested in her as a lead cast member.
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There has been tons of drama ahead of the show’s Season 8 premiere in November. But claims of reality TV trickery -- such as with the fake relationship claims surrounding Moore’s new boo Eugene Casciaro and Williams’ ex-boyfriend Duke Williams -- there are worries among fans that some of the girls’ storylines are being padded to keep viewers tuning in!
And the rumored ploys may be the result of concern surrounding Leakes' absence and the massive fan base she may take away from the show!
But with its fresh round of cast members and the fact that RHOA continues to have the best ratings out of all of Bravo's Housewives franchises, the show will likely survive just fine without the assistance of Mrs. Leakes! Do you think The Real Housewives of Atlanta’s Season 8 ratings will suffer without NeNe? Tweet us @OKMagazine or let us know in the comments section below.
