NeNe Leakes is probably the best known cast member on the scripted reality TV series Real Housewives of Atlanta. But the mother-of-2 is calling it quits after eight seasons.
Leakes, 47, announced her decision to quit the once-popular reality TV show in an exclusive interview with People.com.
"This was definitely a hard decision for me," she said. "Me and my husband [Gregg Leakes] have been going back and forth on it for weeks now. But my contract is up and I just think this is the right time. This is my opportunity to spread my wings and do different things."
This isn't the first time Leakes has talked about quitting the show -- only to have Bravo cut her an even bigger check. But Leake's negotiating power is not what it used to be.
She recently ordered Bravo to fire all unmarried cast members. But she was virtually ignored.
The former stripper revealed she has a bit part in a new primetime television series that somehow slipped under the blog radar.
"I'm actually going to be doing a new primetime television show with a big legend," Leakes said. "All of my fans will get to see me be really happy, witty and funny and tell all of those one liners that I always have said on Housewives."
Leakes has had bit parts in primetime TV shows in the past. But the shows were either cancelled or her contracts were never renewed, and she found herself back in front of RHOA cameras reading from a script again.
"I feel a weight has been lifted off of my shoulders," says Leakes, who grew weary of the scripted hijinks and fake fights on the set.
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