NeNe Leakes Claims Highest Paid ‘Housewives’ Title

S2Smagazine.com:

After all the drama and violence that unfolded on “Real Housewives of Atlanta” during season 6, NeNe Leakes expressed her concerns about returning, but it seems her decision to sign on for season 7, was a lucrative one.

The only original “RHOA” cast member who’s still on the show is reportedly earning $1.5 million for the upcoming season, which begins November 9. According to RadarOnline.com, that makes NeNe the highest paid reality star of the “Housewives” franchise.

“Without NeNe, ‘RHOA’ wouldn’t be the ratings blockbuster that it continues to be,” a source told RadarOnline.com.

However, not all NeNe’s cast members believe her presence is necessary to keep the show interesting.

“She would definitely be missed, but would the show go on? I think it would because it’s an ensemble cast,” Porsha Williams told “The Rickey Smiley Morning Show” in May.

Cynthia Bailey echoed Porsha’s POV in July. “I don’t think ‘Real Housewives of Atlanta’ is about one person,” she told TheGrio.com. “It’s an ensemble. It’s always been an ensemble. It’s never been about one person.”

Despite her longevity with the show and subsequent popularity, NeNe said she’s not sure if she’ll do a season 8, if asked.

“I can’t say that I’m not [leaving the show]. I don’t know what I’m going to do,” NeNe told “The Insider.”

Following the season 6 reunion show bout and the collapse of her friendship with Cynthia, NeNe told fans that the negativity of it all was becoming too much, and questioned her future with the show. It seems she still has those concerns.

“I feel like we should all get along,” she said recently. “I don’t feel like it’s necessary to do these shows and everybody’s bickering and being nasty every single day.”

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