I admit that I am not a sports fan and I don't know much about Erin Andrews, but I was hoping she would be a step up from Brooke Burke as co-host on Dancing with the Stars. The more I read, however, the more I think this will not be the case. Not even close.
First I read that Erin's worried about living up to Brooke's legacy. Huh? She's striving for vapid nonsensical chatter? Okay, then. Next I see that she's girl crushing season 18 competitor NeNe Leakes. I'm not really a fan of the Real Housewives of Atlanta star, so this pains me to read.
ABC revealed the season 18 cast of Dancing with the Stars yesterday. The cast consists mostly of athletes, pop stars, and uber popular 90s sitcom stars. Then there's NeNe Leakes. Then there's a real [movie] star. Bloop.
New this season are Erin Andrews, who has replacedBrook Burke as Tom Bergeron's co-host, and the Switch Up twist. For the first time ever, the stars will dance with new pro partners – chosen by America's votes – at some point in the season.
Personally, I'm not excited about either addition, Erin or the twist that reeks of desperation, but oh well. Also – noTristan MacManus. 🙁 Someone at ABC hates me. Anyway, check out the cast photos and bios below, as well as a few candid shots of NeNe and Tony.
Marlo Hampton is a famewhore of the first order, but she insists some of her television friendships are still real. After breaking up with NeNe Leakes in a dramatic fashion, Marlo hitched her wagon to the ever-tricky Kenya Moore and a match made in frienemy heaven was born! Although Marlo clarifies they are not besties
Despite moving on, Marlo says she still wants answers from NeNe on how things went wrong between them. And she feels used and abused by the Real Housewives of Atlanta star.
“I don’t feel I could have done anything different…I’m not a child. I can talk to who I want to talk to. I can be friends with who I want to be friends to as long as I’m loyal to you,” Marlo informed Sister2Sister. “I do definitely feel the fans do deserve to hear both sides. I would like to definitely sit down and talk to [NeNe]. They deserve to see what’s really going on. I wanna ask her myself. I’m confused. I really don’t understand."
NeNe is paired up and ready to get her own twirl on with pro dancer Tony Dovolani. If you'll recall, poor Tony was stuck with Kate Gosselin during her spin around the ballroom back in season 10.
Melissa will be bringing you the full cast lineup, including who their pro partners are later today – with photos and more details on what to expect this season!
Good gravy, Real Housewives of Atlanta is insane this season, isn't it! When Nene Leakes isn't snubbing Kenya Moore's odd attempts at charity events and Cynthia Bailey isn't organizing field days and playing referee between her husband and the Neenster, it seems that Kandi Burruss is dealing with Mama Joyce drama. It's a lot y'all!
In her Bravo blog this week, Cynthia begins, "Hello everyone! Welcome back to another drama filled episode of the Real Housewives of Atlanta! Let’s jump right on in!"
After wishing Peter the most happiest of birthdays, Cynthia dives right in to discuss the beef between her husband and her best friend. She writes, "I was a little upset with Peter the next morning (after Kenya's event) for confronting NeNe(although she actually confronted him), because I did not think it was the right time to talk. The night had already taken a turn for the worst, and I didn't see the point in trying to fix something that was already broken. Had NeNe not gotten out of her car, walked over to Peter, and initiated the conversation with Peter, there would not have been a reason for him to be in her face acting like a bitch, right? It was pretty clear that his conversation was directed to me. So I don't know who the monster was that was waiting at the top of the hill, because the only thing that Peter was waiting for was his car to leave."
TheNeNe Leakes vs. Marlo Hampton fallout was always meant to happen. Two ego-driven monsters desperate for fame? Of course they're gonna butt weaves – or possibly toupees depending on who you ask!
"Chinese Proverb: Beware of people throwing shade while wearing bad toupees!" Marlo begins. "I’m doing my best to be the one to take the high road, but these last few weeks have been filled with lots of shade and haterade from people promoting products from Donald Trump’s hair emporium!" Taking the high road apparently means taking to twitter and throwing grenades at NeNe left and right.
Taking the high road also includes pointing out all the ways NeNe is an inferior, insecure, copycat version of Marlo. "I’ve never claimed to be perfect, flawless or without regrets. Who is? Definitely not the fake bleached blond with the bold ambitions!" Marlo continues. "She talks about my past incarcerations, her past includes pole sliding, lap dancing, lights, cameras and action! Which one of us is worse? Both of us have come a long way since then haven’t we? Good thing we took advantage of 'opportunities.'”
Kenya Moore doesn't mince words when addressing this week's episode of The Real Housewives of Atlanta. Actually, Kenya doesn't mince words ANY week when summing up the latest episode. Kenya blasts co-starNeNe Leakesfor being a hypocrite and slams her for her holier-than-thou attitude.
Kenya starts off by scolding NeNe for using the word "bully" too casually. "According to NeNe I bullied her to come to the ball! Aside from seasons prior to my debut on the show, I have personally witnessed NeNe’s acts of terrorism. I have never threatened anyone by being made to choose to be on my side or else suffer the consequences; I don’t use my status on the show or intimidation tactics to try to sabotage other Housewives’ success on the show; and I certainly don’t “unfriend” people who don’t agree with me. I don’t subscribe to this type of egregious self-serving behavior. There are children suffering, even dying from being bullied. Let’s not further exploit the word in order to gain sympathy, it only diminishes those who are truly victims."
NeNe Leakes is among the front-runners rumored to be appearing on the upcoming season. With her acting career stagnating and her Housewives career obviously too lowly for her, what else has she got going on?
The cast list is being kept secret until March 4, but sources tell E! News that NeNe, along with former Full House star Candace Cameron Bure, have already been cast for the 18th season, which will premiere March 17th.
