Watch: Porsha Williams Speaks Out After Estranged Husband Simon Guobadia Detained by ICE
Cynthia Bailey is expressing her disappointment.
The longtime Real Housewives of Atlanta star—who spent 11 seasons as a full-time cast member starting in season 3 before returning for the current sixteenth season as a friend of the cast—shared her thoughts on Kenya Moore exiting after showing explicit images of costar Brit Eady at the grand opening of her Kenya Moore Hair Spa during the show’s April 6 episode.
“I’m kind of ready for us to see that process that and move on for that because we end up with so much more than that moment,” Cynthia told E! News in an exclusive interview. “I really just wish that Kenya had kept the focus on this amazing opening. Her spa is so beautiful.”
The Humble Brag podcast host added that the business venture was Kenya’s “lifelong dream,” and her stunt took away from that.
“Looking back, I just wish [she] had kept it there because,” Cynthia explained, “it got overshadowed with all the other things that you guys will see happen.” (For more with Cynthia, tune into E! News on Monday, April 7, at 11 p.m.)
Adding to the sorrow for the reality star is the fact that season 16 represented a return to form for the beloved series, with fan-favorites Kenya and Cynthia being joined by returning Housewife Porsha Williams alongside fellow costar Drew Sidora, as well as new additions Brit, Angela Oakley and Kelli Ferrell.
“It’s just very unfortunate for this cast that they really took the time to put together,” Cynthia explained. “The fans don’t get to see it all play out just in terms of having everybody that was put in place to be a part of it.”
Charles Sykes/Bravo via Getty Images
Kenya’s display of Brit’s photos at her event came after the two experienced a tense moment, in which Brit said, “I don’t play them games! I got whips, motherf–king pistols, everything!”
And while Cynthia wasn’t at that cast event, watching it back on TV left her disappointed in Brit’s behavior as well.
And, as she explained, facing up to Kenya was always going to be a difficult task for the insurance agent.
“Kenya is like one of the most polarizing housewives of all time,” Cynthia noted. “So, to go back and forth with her is not for the weak. I was like, ‘Brit, I need you like slow your roll a little bit because Kenya is not an easy one. She’s the queen. She’s the official shade assassin, so you’ve got to be able to know how to spar with your words—but the right words.'”
Cynthia added, “You don’t mention guns and stuff like that, because this is not what the show is about.”
And, as she explained, facing up to Kenya was always going to be a difficult task for the insurance agent.
“Kenya is like one of the most polarizing housewives of all time,” Cynthia noted. “So, to go back and forth with her is not for the weak. I was like, ‘Brit, I need you like slow your roll a little bit because Kenya is not an easy one. She’s the queen. She’s the official shade assassin, so you’ve got to be able to know how to spar with your words—but the right words.'”
Cynthia added, “You don’t mention guns and stuff like that, because this is not what the show is about.”
Rich Polk/Bravo via Getty Images
Keep reading for more on The Real Housewives of Atlanta season 16…
—Reporting by Emily Curl.
(E! and Bravo are both part of the NBCUniversal family.)
Porsha is expanding her business empire and living the life of her dreams until she learns that everything isn’t as it seems. She’s left with the tough decision to file for a second divorce after discovering revelations about the man she thought would be her forever. Amid the chaos, Porsha stays strong and resilient with her daughter Pilar by her side, who is her beacon of joy along with her supportive family and friends. However, when rumors start to swirl about her friend Drew’s newfound yet questionable partnership with her ex, Dennis McKinley, things take a turn. Will Porsha take the high road to find peace through the turmoil?
The legendary Cynthia is back in the ATL as a friend and is always ready to lighten the mood when tensions arise. But as the voice of reason that this group needs, will she land in the middle of the drama?
Drew is busier than ever with her music and film career taking off. While in full time mommy-mode, she has her sights set on reaching her goals, including having an amicable divorce to end a dramatic roller coaster of a marriage with Ralph, who takes his court-ordered residence in the family basement (or as Ralph calls it his lower-level penthouse), until the divorce is finalized. Drew is looking forward to reclaiming her life, rebuilding friendships and focusing on using her music as an outlet to cope with all the emotional turbulence. But with finding a new music partner in Dennis, who is also Porsha’s ex-fiancé, things get complicated when there are two sides to a story. Will this unique collaboration end in one accord?
Brit is an innovator that carved out her own niche in the insurance industry transforming into mogul status. Brit built her million-dollar agency alongside her sisters and met her husband, Michael Cunningham, through her firm. While she’s serious about her business, Brit is basking in the glow of her 10-carat diamond ring and marriage to Michael. However, with the loss of a family member and career transition, her marriage with Mike seems to have driven a wedge between her and her once inseparable sisters who feel that their quality time is now non-existent. Despite life’s challenges, Brit’s fun and feisty personality is ready to create some good times with the ladies, especially Kelli, who has grown to be her bestie. However, when she experiences some friendship friction and a catastrophic event that shatters everything, Brit’s left to pick up the pieces.
The world is Shamea’s oyster, and she’s ready to live it up. While not wanting to be defined by her wealth, family is Shamea’s No. 1 priority. Her daughters, Shya and miracle baby Shiloh, are her pride and joy as she wants to continue to grow their family with her husband of 10 years, Gerald Mwangi. However, with a fear of another traumatic pregnancy, this may derail the couple’s longing dream of having another child. Shamea is the heart of the Atlanta social elite and a quadruple threat as an actor, singer dancer and host. In this friend group she has bonds that extend decades, especially with Porsha, a best friend from childhood, but will their long-term friendship stand the test of time coupled with some rough waves of miscommunication.
Angela is a boss in every sense of the word and her husband, basketball legend Charles Oakley, is by her side. Angela and Charles have four kids combined in their blended family, and with their eighth-year wedding anniversary approaching, they’re ready to renew their vows. However, after a few couples’ therapy sessions, will underlying issues be revealed as she also navigates fractured relationships with her family? Angela is also finding her footing in this group of opinionated women, and while giving everyone the benefit of the doubt, she’s also working through some unexpected feuds that don’t all end in peace and harmony.
Phaedra makes her epic return later this season and it will be worth the wait as she turns up the fun and shade. With so many friendships that she’s excited to reignite with, including the long-awaited reunion of Frick and Frack, there are some new bonds that are fractured from the start. Will Phaedra be able to restore order in the group without a side of messiness and drama?
Kelli is big energy with a mix of culinary couture as chef extraordinaire and owner of well-known ATL staple Nana’s Chicken & Waffles. There’s never a dull moment for Kelli as a single mom of four daughters: Chasti, Chelsi, Chloe and Chance, who are her everything. Her recent divorce has been challenging after 11 years of marriage and threatened Nana’s very existence. This Queen of Waffles is now ready to flourish, build her empire and get to know these ladies better. She’s not holding back on any of her opinions or side-eyes.
