THE REAL HOUSEWIVES OF ATLANTA -- Pictured: NeNe Leakes -- (Photo by: Annette Brown/Bravo)

NeNe Leakes Explains Absence From First 2 Episodes Of Real Housewives Of Atlanta Season 12

Should we all just give this a “Sure, Jan” now and call it a day? Of course not! Real Housewives of Atlanta grand dame, NeNe Leakes is once again addressing her absence from the first two shows of the new season. There has been much speculation about why such an important part of the series was missing at a particularly crucial time.

The rumor mill had a lot to work with. After NeNe’s short temper and hateful moments were dismissed as a result of depression, nothing could really excuse her reasoning behind getting physical with production. People have been dismissed from Bravo for less, yet NeNe still retained her peach. When filming began for the new shows, NeNe was a no show. Viewers hoped wondered if she was facing punishment for getting handsy with the camera guy. Or maybe NeNe’s co-stars didn’t feel like being yelled at for the duration of their scenes with the star. Now NeNe tells us what really happened, and sets the record straight once and for all. Sure, Jan!

Where in the world was NeNe Leakes? When one of NeNe’s rivals came back from reality television purgatory, some thought she might be protesting Kenya Moore’s return. Other fans considered the possibility NeNe’s cast members refused to film with her after last season’s shit-fest. Then we wondered if Big Daddy Bravo had slapped her knuckles with a ruler and put her in the time-out chair. Apparently the answer is none of the above. Fortunately, NeNe gifted us with the real reason we haven’t seen her yet.

In an interview with People, NeNe explained, “I was sitting here trying to work my contract out.” Right, we heard about that one as well. There were also reports NeNe got a big ‘ole pay raise for being so bitchy unpleasant.

RELATED: Kenya Moore Says NeNe Leakes Tried To Spit On Her! There Is NO Chance Of Them Being Friends Again

According to NeNe, the decision to come back wasn’t an easy one to make. She said, “There were a lot of rumors around the time and I was really skeptical about what I was going to do.” I can’t imagine why! The other ladies were publicly sick of her questionable disposition and NeNe wasn’t too keen on apologizing. Viewers were turned off at the way she treated her husband, Gregg Leakes, as he battled cancer, so she ultimately lost a lot of fan support.

NeNe admitted, “I really didn’t know what I was going to do, I really didn’t. I had one foot in and one foot out.” Maybe she should have taken a poll. The truth is, all OGs must come to an end eventually. Lately it seems many of the long term veterans are threatening to stay on their franchise until death Bravo asks them to go. This is obviously a better choice than to bow out gracefully for sake of reputation or family.

RELATED: Cynthia Bailey Admits Feeling “Uncomfortable” Filming Real Housewives Of Atlanta With NeNe Leakes

NeNe reflected on her behavior last season and shared, “I don’t regret it, not one bit, I don’t regret anything that happened.” Good for her! There is no reason she should sit around and worry how she treated people in the past. Especially not after allegedly sending someone to the hospital for doing his job. But it’s cool because he still loves her and his new teeth! Sadly, Porsha Williams and Cynthia Bailey are not as forgiving. I cannot imagine why!

So there you have it, mystery solved! It wasn’t NeNe’s attitude. It wasn’t because of Kenya. It wasn’t because of the “closet incident”. We will all sleep better tonight knowing it was NeNe’s decision to delay filming because she was once again struggling. Fortunately she went through that personal journey and wound up back in front of the RHOA cameras. Only one more show to enjoy go before she makes her dramatic return. I hope we will all survive the wait.

RELATED: NeNe Leakes

TELL US- DO YOU WISH NENE HAD DECIDED TO LEAVE THE SHOW? ARE YOU EXCITED FOR HER TO COME BACK? DO YOU BELIEVE NENE’S EXCUSE FOR NOT FILMING?

[Photo Credit: Bravo]

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