With more than 10 seasons of The Real Housewives of Atlanta under her designer belt, Cynthia Bailey has pretty much seen it all.
But the Bravo star admits she wasn’t prepared for all the twists and turns that take place in Season 16, which features four new cast members alongside returning faves Porsha Williams, Drew Sidora and Phaedra Parks. (Cynthia appears as a friend.) “I never knew what I was walking into,” she says in an exclusive interview with In Touch alongside her costars. “Every time I showed up to film with the ladies, it was one crazy story after the other.”
(One shocker: RHOA alum Kenya Moore was suspended during filming for allegedly showing explicit photos of newcomer Brit Eady.) Though Phaedra and Porsha were unavailable, Cynthia and Drew join Shamea Morton Mwangi and newbies Brit, Kelli Ferrell and Angela Oakley in dishing to In Touch’s Fortune Benatar about feuds, friendship and keeping it real.
How would you describe this season?
Drew: It’s full of twists, personal growth and intense moments. It was different for me in many ways, but I stayed true to myself and focused on what really matters.
Shamea: I’m so fortunate to finally be able to share my story in its entirety with the world. This season is youthful, fun, adventurous, unpredictable and a breath of fresh air. I’m proud of my vulnerability — I share the good, the bad and the ugly.
Kelli: Hot, spicy, glamorous and lots of fun. It’s just like any other sisterhood: Of course we have fights and arguments, but we love each other so we try to come to resolutions.
Brit: This season was so much fun! We have such a good-looking cast, and every lady is such a girl boss. There is a lot of juicy drama — this many alpha women will do that.
Who stirs the pot the most?
Drew: It was a big, confusing pot of unflavored goulash. Some people had their spoons ready, one can’t reach the pot and others don’t even have a spoon.
Shamea: Most of the girls will say Angela, but I say Brit.
Angela: Shameaaaaaaaaaaa.
Kelli: I mean, I am a chef … but really we all stirred the pot at one point or another.
Cynthia: Angela asks a lot of the hard questions and does a great job of moving information around. She was a slow burn at first, but once she got ignited, she was on fire. And I was here for all the smoke!
Shamea, you’ve been friends with Porsha for decades, but we see you two hit some bumps in the road. How are things today?
Shamea: I have nothing but love for Porsha. We’re childhood friends so I view her more like a sister. Real relationships go through rough patches. I’m hoping we come out even stronger than before.
Cynthia, what was it like filming with Porsha again?
Cynthia: Porsha and I have come full circle, and I love this for us! I was heartbroken for her when I learned of her divorce [from Simon Guobadia in February 2024], but even with everything she’s been through, she’s the one who makes me laugh the most. I shot with her a lot this season, and all we did was laugh!
Newbies, how did it go?
Kelli: I tried my best to have a good time and be my authentic self.
Angela: I gave my unfiltered truth. I hope that isn’t something I come to regret!
