After eight years as a “Friend of” the Real Housewives of Atlanta, Marlo Hampton finally got her very own peach.
At first, when she finally got her promotion to the main cast, she was happy about the step up. But when her contract ended after Season 15, Marlo resigned from the show.
Officially, she said she wanted to spend more time with the two nephews she’s raising, her philanthropy, and her fashion pursuits. But was there more to it than that?
Marlo Hampton never felt accepted by the other cast members
On January 7, Marlo was a guest on the ACross Generations with Tiffany Cross podcast. “After eight years, I finally got my peach,” she said. “The world was happy. To fans of the Real Housewives of Atlanta, that was a big deal.”
But Marlo wasn’t that happy. “I loved being a Friend,” she continued. “The show was in a bad place, and don’t think I can just come and save the show. I came on with the originals. It was a different kind of show. A different time and age.”
However, according to Marlo, things started to change over the years. “The show got dark,” she added. “A lot of us didn’t have respect for each other. We went too far below the belt–including me.”
Marlo felt that some of the other women on the show didn’t accept her as an equal. “A lot of the girls have never respected me,” she said. “They hated my story and hated that I was sitting on the couch with them. I’ve been to jail before. I’m from 5 different foster homes. I’m from the hood. But [being there] is what God has my story to be.”
When asked if she’d ever return to RHOA, Marlo admitted that she always preferred being in the “Friend of” role rather than a main cast member.
“Would I go back? If I go back, I want to go back as a Friend,” she responded. “I would want [the peach] money, but I’m not big on a title. I don’t know if it’s because of my upbringing. I’m big on getting the job done, being the best at my job, and getting paid. The title could be a janitor, but as long as I’m getting the money I want and need … I’m ok.”
Call her “Muntie” at home
Meanwhile, Marlo’s life is full without RHOA. At home, she’s known as “Muntie,” a combination of mom and auntie. She has legal guardianship of her two nephews: Michael 16, and William, 15. They’ve lived with her for the past several years while their mom (Marlo’s sister) is in prison dealing with mental health issues.
Marlo never had children of her own, so she loves taking care of her nephews and giving them a stable, loving home … something she didn’t have growing up.
Have we seen the last of Marlo Hampton? Andy Cohen doesn’t think so. At the time she left in early 2024, he said, “I will look forward to having her back in The Clubhouse whenever she wants … It’s an open door with Atlanta, with Marlo.”
We’ll leave the porch light on.
The Real Housewives of Atlanta is now streaming on Peacock.
TELL US – WERE YOU SURPRISED WHEN MARLO CHOSE NOT TO RETURN TO RHOA? DO YOU THINK SOME OF THE OTHER WOMEN MISTREATED HER?
