As fans wait on the edge of their seats for the season 7 premiere of ‘Real Housewives of Atlanta’ in November, sources are reporting that the shows sole original housewife Nene Leakes who has been credited as the highest paid Housewife of any franchise has now scored yet another pay increase, making her not only the highest paid Housewife, but the highest paid person on the entire Bravo network. It has rumored that Nene would be leaving after the show with each season that comes, and it appears that Bravo is trying to ensure Leakes stays on board.
RadarOnline.com has learned that Real Housewives of Atlanta star NeNe Leakes has scored a huge pay raise, and will be earning $1.5 million for the upcoming season, making her the highest paid Bravo reality star.
NeNe was able to “broker the huge pay increase because she is the most popular housewife of any of the Bravo franchises,” a source told Radar.
“Without NeNe, RHOA wouldn’t be the ratings blockbuster that it continues to be. While some of the other shows including RHONJ and RHONY have endured ratings slumps, Atlanta has never had to endure that,” the source said. “NeNe made it known she would need a significant raise to do the upcoming season, and Bravo had no choice but to agree to it.”
Earlier this year while appearing on Arsenio Hall’s show, Leakes said the pay was “okay.“
“You know what, the pay is okay, but I don’t know if it’s worth what you saw on the clip. I began this so many years ago with other girls,” she said. “And I’m the only original that’s left. It has changed a lot over the years. I thought, or at least I think, people would tune in to see the Real Housewives of Atlantabecause they would get to see fabulousness, and a good old read, and never the hair pulling and the punching and all that kind of stuff.”
Leakes, 46, launched a clothing line for HSN, which was a smashing success. Most of the clothes in her NeNe Leakes Collection sold out in a day.
The news comes days after word that Leakes is the front runner for to replace Joan Rivers on ‘Fashion Police’ despite the shows current co-hosts not wanting Leakes to have the spot. We must say Nene is the queen bee of the show, however ALL of the ladies have made it entertaining to watch, not just Nene, especially after a record breaking season last year. Either way, for 1.5 million we hope Nene brings some good drama for our viewing pleasure.

