NeNe Leakes Says Her Success is Thanks To This Group Of People

“Actual Housewives of Atlanta” star NeNe Leakes is undoubtedly probably the most notable breakout star of the Bravo franchise. With extra memes and memorable one-liners than maybe anybody else, Leakes has solidified herself as one of the iconic actuality stars of all time. Even along with her success, which has led her to scripted TV reveals and Broadway phases, the “RHOA” OG says a substantial quantity of it’s owed to the LGBTQ+ group.

Whereas spending the evening out at The Abbey, a West Hollywood homosexual staple, Leakes spoke with Gayety about her profession, together with the viral memes and clips from the sooner seasons of the present which have gone on to grow to be trending sounds on TikTok and Instagram Reels.

“It’s loopy to me,” the mom of two stated. “Individuals are nonetheless saying white fridge. Individuals are nonetheless saying, ‘Ooh, youngster, the ghetto.’ I’m speaking about years later, they usually’re nonetheless saying this type of stuff.”

“The Actual Housewives of Atlanta” premiered in 2008, and Leakes cannot imagine her presence on the present was so impactful that persons are nonetheless having fun with moments filmed virtually 20 years in the past.

“It means lots,” she stated. “Meaning I’m an icon and I’m legendary, honey. She’s by no means forgotten.”

Whereas talking with Gayety, Leakes additionally mirrored on the immense quantity of help she’s acquired from the LGBTQ+ group. “It means the world to me,” the “New Regular” star added.

“With out the homosexual group, I’m not so positive that each one of those memes and sayings would have gone so far as they did. The gays had been those taking it there. They had been snapping and ‘Sure, Ms. Nene!’ They had been taking it there.”

As Leakes continued, she theorized that her profession may not be on the stage it’s at this time with out the help of the LGBTQ+ group. “They’ve been one in all my greatest supporters,” she stated.

Leakes has spoken brazenly about her love for her queer followers since changing into a family identify. In 2015, she talked to HuffPost in regards to the homosexual group and why she connects with them on a deeper stage.

“I’ve at all times beloved supporting the LGBT group. I grew up with a few homosexual guys. Moreover loving the gays personally myself, I really feel like they affect every little thing, from nail polish to excessive heels to lip gloss to every little thing you’ll be able to consider,” she stated. “I’ve been a supporter of the LGBT group for a really, very very long time, and tonight is another excuse for me to exit and help. I at all times take part in homosexual satisfaction. If I can exit and present up, I at all times do.”

Leakes’ help of the queer group has been referred to as into query by some, nonetheless, particularly after her podcast episode with TS Madison, a distinguished trans activist, went viral in the summertime of 2025.

Throughout the episode, Leakes and Madison had an intense back-and-forth dialog over males who date trans girls. When Madison declared she would not date “homosexual males,” Leakes stated, “While you guys be saying that, that is actual bizarre, as a result of what do you imply you do not date homosexual males? As a result of if he is sleeping with you and sleeping with a lady, he is one thing.”

Madison pushed again, informing Leakes that loads of males, together with those that are pansexual (people interested in individuals no matter intercourse or gender), are taken with trans girls.

Leakes replied, “I do not wish to run into them, I do not wish to date him. I want you to love Hiya Kitty, on a regular basis.”