Nene Leakes Still Doesn’t Know How Ryan Murphy Got Her Phone Number

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When it comes to judging a Real Housewife, you could look at wealth or dramatic moments, but how easily they become a meme might be the most important measure. And no one has generated more memes than Nene Leakes. As one of the original stars of The Real Housewives of Atlanta, Leakes was key to the show’s success. Over ten seasons, she delivered countless unforgettable lines and scenes – from telling Kim Zolciak to be careful with married men to her shocked reaction to Kenya Moore’s white refrigerator, and even her elaborate “Girls and Gays Never Forget All White Party Seafood Soirée.” Even after a dramatic exit and a six-year break from Bravo (including a lawsuit she later dropped), her moments continued to live on in GIFs and screenshots. It seems that dedication from meme-makers has paid off, as Leakes is returning to the Housewives world this year with Ultimate Girls Trip, a special edition bringing together stars from different Housewives shows, both old and new. And, as Leakes confirms, Zolciak will be there too – they’ve actually been in touch recently: “We don’t have an issue. I actually just DM’d her the other day.”

I realized I’d become famous when I started getting recognized in public. I was at the airport, and people were calling out my name – ‘Nene, Nene!’ – and I thought to myself, ‘Wow, people actually know who I am. I must be somebody now!’

What’s the first thing you spent your money on after getting your first paycheck? For me, it was a car – a Range Rover, just like a lot of people.

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If I had to sum up my on-screen personality in five words, I’d say it’s a mix of good and bad – someone who’s confident, outspoken, and a lot of fun. It’s an exaggerated, bold, and exciting character, but ultimately, it’s not a complete reflection of who I truly am.

Looking back on my career, I’d say a defining moment was a conversation I had with my son on The Real Housewives. It was a serious talk, a mother-son disciplinary discussion, and it really resonated with people. That moment seems to be everywhere, and I think it’s what a lot of people remember me for – it really defined who Nene is.

When people talk about it, I think most parents actually supported what I was saying. It was a moment where they thought I was being authentic and honest. I believe in being straightforward and telling things as they are, and it seems like viewers felt the same way – they saw me as genuinely assertive and outspoken.

There have been several times viewers haven’t understood my perspective. One instance was during a scene with my husband, who was also portrayed as a positive character, which led to a lot of misinterpretations. Another time was when I was talking with Cynthia Bailey about our friendship – viewers seemed to have a different understanding of the situation than I did, and of Cynthia as well.

If I could magically trade lives with anyone on reality TV right now, I wouldn’t want to be any of them. Seriously, no thanks!

So, do you have anyone you consider a rival? I don’t, really. I’m the type of person who might have a disagreement with someone, but we’d still be able to get along afterward. I’m not one to hold a grudge or cut people off completely. Especially on reality TV, the relationships you see aren’t as deep as viewers might think. You often only know these people for a short time – maybe a month or two.

It’s hard to say which reality star is truly authentic on TV, and which one puts on the biggest act. Honestly, I don’t think any of them are completely genuine. Thinking back, I’d say Sharon Osbourne was always herself. I loved watching her on The Osbournes, and I actually ran into her just last night!

Does a great reality TV show always need someone to play the bad guy? Absolutely. Having a villain is essential for the show to be successful.

When it comes to iconic villains, some people might point to figures like NeNe Leakes and Tami Roman. As for Tamar Braxton, it’s debatable whether she’s a villain or someone being victimized, but for the sake of argument, we can include her as well.

If I could have one thing back from before I was famous, it would be my privacy. It’s something people don’t realize is so valuable until it’s gone.

If you want to be a reality TV star, my advice is simple: just be yourself. There isn’t a set formula for success. I remember early on with The Real Housewives of Atlanta, I felt like I was losing myself. I told my producer I needed to be authentic – to speak and act naturally, just as I do in my everyday life. They agreed, and that’s when I really became ‘Nene’ on camera. What you see is what you get, both on and off screen. I truly am just myself, and that’s the best advice I can give anyone: be genuine. Viewers can always tell when someone isn’t being their true self, and it shows through on camera.

When it comes to reality TV’s most memorable conflicts, the biggest one is definitely the rivalry between me and Kim Zolciak.

Parvati Shallow stopped by earlier and was disappointed to have missed you. She asked how things were going between you and Kim. I’m happy to say Kim and I are doing well and have no issues. I’ve seen her a few times recently – we even filmed a show together for Bravo to celebrate 20 years of Real Housewives, and she was there. I actually messaged her just the other day.

What’s your current motto or catchphrase? People really focus on those! I used to create a bunch of taglines every year, but they never went with the ones I liked. Andy always chose my suggestions. My favorite was probably, “When I walk into the room, I own it.”

Let me think… how about, “When you meet someone truly amazing, show them respect.” No, that doesn’t quite work. I’m not feeling very inspired with slogans lately.

There are a lot of memes that come from Atlanta. Do you have a favorite one? Well, there are tons of memes of me, and honestly, I don’t really like seeing them. It feels strange, even just scrolling through my phone – they’re all over the internet, on iPhones and everything. I know everyone else enjoys them and sends them around, and they’re always in the comments, but I actually feel embarrassed when I see them. If I had to choose one, it would probably be the ‘Ooh child, the ghetto’ meme. Thank you.

When asked about a favorite memory from working on Glee, the speaker expressed deep affection for the show and its creator, Ryan Murphy, playfully calling him a “fairy godmother.” They fondly remembered scenes involving swim competitions, particularly enjoying the experience of coaching the young actors while they actually swam and interacting with them on set as Coach Roz Washington with her signature short blonde hair.

I was at a hotel in New York City when some young fans approached me, excitedly telling me how much they loved my work. I didn’t recognize them at the time, but later found out they were on the show Glee. They told Ryan Murphy about our encounter, and that’s how I ended up getting a role on Glee.

Ryan Murphy called me, and I have no idea how he got my number. When I answered, he introduced himself, and I just said “Okay” before hanging up. I mentioned to my manager that this Ryan Murphy kept calling, and he told me to answer. So, I answered and said, “Hi, Ryan Murphy, it’s Nene calling you back.” He explained he wanted to meet to discuss a potential role on Glee – it could be just one episode, or more, depending on my interest. I went to meet with him, read the script, and ended up staying on the show for about three years playing Coach Roz Washington. Ryan Murphy even wrote my lines personally.

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2026-05-08 15:58