New details have emerged about the casting for the upcoming new season of The Real Housewives of Atlanta.
According to a new report, the Bravo hit reality series is getting a cast shake-up for Season 14 in response to the show’s drop in ratings.
“The ratings weren’t the best this past season, so they need to do something to help get more viewers,” a source told The Jasmine Brand.
The site also reported the following: “Additionally, our source claims that some changes within the cast are to be expected. While contracts have not yet been signed, we’re told that at least one seasoned cast member may receive a reduced role next season (i.e. become a “friend of the housewives”). Our source also alleged that more than one returning housewife may be reduced to a “friend of,” but one thing is clear: fans can allegedly expect to see a couple fresh faces on season 14 of RHOA.”
Burruss previously hinted that she was unsure if she was returning next season. Burruss noted that she’s “always contemplating” a potential exit from the franchise. “It may be my time to say goodbye, and it may be my time to just be like, ‘I’ll stay a while longer,’” she told Access Hollywood back in April 2021. “You never know, I’m still kind of figuring things out.”
Last month, sources claimed that the network was looking to shake up the cast due to the show’s underwhelming ratings.
Ratings showed the premiere episode of Season 13 only pulled in 1.4 million viewers, which was a drastic drop from the previous season's first episode. Additionally, our good friend over at TV Deets reported that the recently-aired RHOA season 13 finale and reunion were the series’ lowest-rated ever.
“RHOA was once Bravo’s highest-rated housewives show but has lost its superiority over other shows in the franchise,” the source told The Sun. “There’s going to be a big cast shake-up next season and some producers are mulling over asking Phaedra Parks to return.”
“Many insiders believe NeNe would help drive ratings, but her feud with producers seems to show no signs of letting up,” the source continued. “Fans were shocked when she left and there has been a question mark over whether she'll ever return, and it looks unlikely.”
The source added, “The hope is that having fan favorites like Phaedra come back will help the show rise back into the 2 million viewers-a-week arena.”
NeNe Leakes has encouraged viewers to boycott Bravo after she was let go from the Bravo hit reality series amid her messy feud with Andy Cohen.
Parks joined RHOA back during the show's third season and was let go after filming of the Season 9 reunion taping. If you recall, it was revealed during the season 9 reunion that Parks was the one who told Porsha Williams about Kandi and husband Todd Tucker’s alleged plan to drug Porsha and have sex with her. An allegation that Burruss has denied, which resulted in Parks getting fired from the show.
The current RHOA cast consists of Cynthia Bailey, Drew Sidora, Kandi Burruss, Kenya Moore, and Porsha Williams along with ‘friends’ LaToya Ali, Marlo Hampton, and Shamea Morton. Falynn Guobadia made several guest appearances in Season 13 while Tanya Sam, who returned as a friend, stopped filming due to the StripperGate scandal.
Photo Credit: Bravo Media/NBCUniversal (8)
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