Grab your popcorn and brace yourself, because Phaedra Parks is making a jaw-dropping return to The Real Housewives of Atlanta for Season 16!

On July 29, Phaedra, 50, announced her comeback with a playful Instagram post featuring herself holding a peach and emerging from an airplane, captioned, “You called. I answered #RHOA #S16.”

Phaedra Was Fired From Housewives For Spreading Rumors

If her past seasons are any indication, we’re in for a whirlwind of drama, glam, and unforgettable moments. Phaedra originally joined the RHOA crew in 2010 and quickly made a name for herself with her larger-than-life personality and spectacular one-liners.

However, her tenure on the show ended abruptly in 2017 after she was fired for spreading explosive rumors about co-star Kandi Burruss and Burruss’ husband, Todd Tucker. The gossip claimed the couple wanted to drug Porsha Williams—a claim that the couple strongly denied.

Phaedra’s eagerness to return is driven by more than just the drama. Being on RHOA offers significant financial benefits that can’t be overlooked.

The show’s cast members can make substantial amounts of money. For instance, top stars reportedly earn between $1 million and $2 million per season.

Given Phaedra’s reported financial struggles and a net worth that fluctuates around $2 million, it’s not surprising she’s keen on stepping back into the limelight. Despite her previous financial hiccups, including legal troubles and a high-profile divorce, this return could be a lucrative opportunity for Phaedra to boost her earnings and stabilize her finances.

Why Kenya Moore Quit The Franchise

Phaedra is stepping back into the spotlight just as Kenya Moore makes her exit from the show. Kenya, 53, was recently entangled in a scandal involving explicit photos of Brittany Eady, which reportedly surfaced during the grand opening of Moore’s Kenya Moore Hair Spa in Georgia. The images, alleged to show Brittany in explicit acts with an unidentified man, stirred up quite the controversy.

Kenya wasn’t about to let the rumors slide. She took to Instagram to defend herself, writing, “Thank you for all the support #teamtwirl. My heart is full and my conscience is clean. So many false claims hiding behind anonymous sources. All this conversation and no facts being reported. If a claim or source was valid, would they need to hide?”

She further stated, “The rumors and narrative about me randomly showing nudes or revenge p[orn] is 1000% untrue. I have proof and will share soon.”

Bravo has launched an investigation into the leaked photos, which is said to be linked to Kenya’s exit. According to Us Weekly, Kenya will not appear in the upcoming episodes slated for 2025, and a potential return hasn’t been discussed yet.

As Season 16 of RHOA gears up, fans can expect a season brimming with excitement and drama. With Phaedra back in the mix, it’s clear that RHOA is ready to serve up another season of unforgettable drama and high-stakes reality TV.