“Real Housewives of Atlanta’s” longtime star Nene Leakes has just gotten a big pay increase, making her the highest paid Bravo reality star.
Leakes is now going to earn $1.5 million a year. “[Bravo] brokered the deal because she is the most popular housewife of any of the Bravo franchises,” a source told radaronline.com.
“Without NeNe, ‘RHOA’ wouldn’t be the ratings blockbuster that it continues to be. While some of the other shows including ‘RHONJ’ and ‘RHONY’ have endured ratings slumps, Atlanta has never had to endure that,” the source said. “NeNe made it known she would need a significant raise to do the upcoming season, and Bravo had no choice but to agree to it.”
Earlier this year while appearing on Arsenio Hall’s show, Leakes disclosed that her earnings was okay.
“You know what, the pay is okay, but I don’t know if it’s worth what you saw on the clip. I began this so many years ago with other girls,” she said. “And I’m the only original that’s left. It has changed a lot over the years. I thought, or at least I think, people would tune in to see the ‘Real Housewives of Atlanta’ because they would get to see fabulousness and a good old read, and never the hair pulling and the punching and all that kind of stuff.”
In addition to her reality show and acting gigs, Leakes, 46, has proven to be an astute multifaceted businesswoman. Her new clothing line for HSN sold out in a day.
The source added, “NeNe is a very smart businesswoman. She knew she could demand it and get it.”
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