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Cynthia Bailey Teases RHOA Return: ‘New Blood Was Needed’

The Real Housewives of Atlanta are gearing up for their Sweet 16. Although there will be no Kandi Burruss, Marlo Hampton, Shereé Whitfield, or Sanya Richards Ross, there’s still plenty for the fans to look forward to. 

Kenya Moore and Drew Sidora are back in the mix. And Porsha Williams decided now was her time to return. Plus, it doesn’t stop there. Cynthia Bailey, who held a peach from 2010 to 2021, has signed on as an official friend of the show. She spoke with Page Six about her excitement for the new season and said she’s looking forward to bringing Atlanta back to its glory days. 

“I feel like the show has been just OK for the past couple of years. No shade, but it just has. And it has not thrived the way Atlanta has always thrived,” she said. “We were No. 1 for so long. And to watch it not be No. 1 was really hard, even sitting on the sidelines. It really, really was. So, I think some new blood was needed, and from what I can tell, these ladies seem like they really have it going on, and I’m so excited to meet them.” 

Cynthia will be an official friend for RHOA Season 16

Photo Credit: Charles Sykes/Bravo

Since Cynthia departed from RHOA following Season 13, the supermodel has been busy expanding her businesses and booking different scripted roles. “You guys had Cynthia Bailey, the model; you guys got to follow Cynthia Bailey, the reality star. Now you guys are going to get to see Cynthia Bailey, the actress,” she said in July 2022

Her most recent role is playing Gloria in the Starz program BMF. And her 2024 just got busier. Cynthia will be an official friend of RHOA this season. “I’ve always been open to the idea of popping in and out as a friend. I did it last season. My fans loved it, I loved it,” she said. Bravo was able to work around my schedule just letting me get in where I fit in.”

“And they made it known to me that they were interested in me being a full-time friend, being a friend in a more official capacity this time.”

Stream previous seasons of Real Housewives of Atlanta on Peacock. 

TELL US — WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT CYNTHIA’S RETURN? 

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