The Real Housewives of Atlanta: NeNe Leakes Returning? Kim Fields Joining the Show?

Tootie! The Facts of Life star may join the Bravo series

By Chris Harnick Jul 01, 2015 1:19 PMTags
Real Housewives Of Atlanta, Kim FieldsAlex Martinez, Mark Davis/Getty Images

Goodbye NeNe, hello Tootie? NeNe Leakes sent shockwaves through the Real Housewives world when she announced she would not be returning to The Real Housewives of Atlanta after seven seasons. But—and this is a big but!—all hope of seeing NeNe mixing it up with peaches is not lost. And what's The Facts of Life star Kim Fields have to do with it? Read on!

A source told E! News NeNe may still appear on RHOA in some capacity. "It's very possible she will continue to make appearances and pop up here and there," a show source said.

We know Claudia Jordan is not returning to Real Housewives of Atlanta, and with NeNe's full-time vacanc,y there are some spots to fill. Enter Kim?! A source told us the Living Single star joining the show is definitely a possibility.

"She is in the mix. Filming has not even begun, so at this point it's too early to say what her involvement will be," our source said.

Can you imagine Charlotte Rae—Mrs. Garrett!—coming for a party and mixing it up with the RHOA ladies? Yes. Please.

"This is so hard for me to type! I cry as I do so! I am so Grateful for all the love and laughs!" NeNe wrote on Instagram. "Thank you so much to everyone that has watched and supported me over the years on this amazing platform! With lots of thoughts and prayer I've decided to step out on faith and not fear. #nomoRHOA4me."

NeNe's exit is just the latest for the Bravo franchise. Over on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, Brandi Glanville and Kim Richards are not returning as full-time cast members.

— Reporting by Beth Sobol

(E! and Bravo are both part of the NBCUniversal family.)