Claudia Jordan Leaves The Ricky Smiley Show Shortly After Real Housewives of Atlanta Demotion

Reality star thanks her supporters and critics in the lengthy statement

By McKenna Aiello Jul 10, 2015 5:15 PMTags
Rickey Smiley, Claudia JordanThaddaeus McAdams/FilmMagic

Claudia Jordan is experiencing another career shakeup. 

Just weeks ago E! News learned the star will not be returning full-time for The Real Housewives of Atlanta's upcoming eighth season, and in a recent statement posted to her Facebook page, Jordan announced she would also be leaving her radio gig on The Rickey Smiley Show.

"There are a whole lot of things I want to do that will better showcase my talents, personality, intelligence and wittiness and I'm ready to pursue them!" the 42-year-old beauty wrote.

"I'm grateful to Reach Media and to Mr. Smiley for giving me the opportunity which in turn helped me have a reason to be in Atlanta to be on the Real Housewives of Atlanta which was another amazing opportunity that has brought me nothing but more exposure, more checks and more opportunities in film and many other things," Jordan continued. 

The reality star, who infamously clashed with fellow housewife NeNe Leakes during her one-season stint, also gave thanks to her former co-workers and "those that rode with [her] through the storm when [she] was trying to adjust on the show with conflicting advice coming at [her] from all angles."

To her critics, Jordan offered this: "I thank you also because you pushed me and motivated me to do better."

Rickey Smiley also offered kind parting words to his co-host on Twitter. 

"Our girl Claudia Jordan is moving on after a year on 'The Rickey Smiley Morning Show,' and we will miss her. Just want to thank her for her time with us and we wish her nothing but the best," he wrote.

Although a source previously told E! News "it's still too early to tell" whether Jordan will return for guest appearances on RHOA, Jordan shared, "Lots of things are cooking as we speak and I'll post where you can catch me next REAL soon."

Onward and upward!