'Real Housewives of Atlanta' Star Will Not Return to Show

Credit: Bravo.com

‘Real Housewives of Atlanta’ star NeNe Leakes has announced that she will not return to the program after becoming a fan favorite during the last seven seasons of the popular reality show’s run.

People Magazine reports that Leakes decided to leave the program as her contract was up, and said that she and her husband Gregg had spent a long time debating whether she should renew her contract. Leakes tells People that the departure is a chance for her to branch out on her own.

“I feel a weight has been lifted off my shoulders,” Leake told the magazine.

Leakes previously announced plans to host her own primetime television show with an as-of-yet unannounced but legendary performer. People Magazine says that shooting on Leakes’ new show began this week.

Despite her official break from the show, Leakes has not ruled out the possibility of dropping in from time to time to visit with her old castmates.

Leakes’ son Bryson Bryant, 25, recently made headlines after he was arrested and charged with giving false information to police after officers discovered him in possession of a forged check.