NeNe Leakes

Linnethia Monique "NeNe" Leakes, born Linnethia Monique Johnson, is an American television personality, actress, and businesswoman. Born in Queens, New York City, and raised in Athens, Georgia, Leakes rose to prominence as an original cast member and breakout star on Bravo's reality television series The Real Housewives of Atlanta. She went on to participate in high-profile television competitions, including NBC's The Celebrity Apprentice and ABC's Dancing with the Stars.

Leakes grew up as one of five children. She and a brother were sent to live with an aunt in Athens, Georgia, while her mother raised her other three siblings. After graduating from Clarke Central High School in Athens, Leakes attended Morris Brown College in Atlanta for two years before becoming pregnant.

Early in her career, Leakes appeared on television shows such as The Parkers and secured a minor role in the 2003 film The Fighting Temptations. In 2008, she joined The Real Housewives of Atlanta as a main cast member for its first seven seasons and co-wrote the book Never Make The Same Mistake Twice with Denene Millner. She later appeared in a supporting capacity for season eight and returned full-time for seasons ten through twelve before exiting in 2020. She was later slated to guest star on the fifth season of The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip.

Leakes transitioned into scripted roles, portraying synchronized swim coach Roz Washington on Glee and Rocky Rhoades on the sitcom The New Normal. She made her Broadway debut as Madame in Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella in 2014, and starred as Matron "Mama" Morton in Chicago in 2015. Additionally, she performed in Cirque du Soleil: Zumanity in Las Vegas and launched her "So Nasty, So Rude" comedy tour in 2016.

In 2013, Leakes established her production company, NeNe Leakes Entertainment, which produced her spin-off show I Dream of NeNe: The Wedding. Her television work also includes guest-hosting programs like The Talk and Anderson Live, serving as a regular panelist on To Tell the Truth, co-hosting Zeus Network's Baddies East reunion, and starring in Lifetime's Hunting Housewives. In 2020, she released the song "Come and Get This Hunni."

Leakes has pursued several business ventures. She launched a clothing line for the Home Shopping Network in 2014 and opened SWAGG Boutique locations in Georgia, Maryland, and Miami Beach. In May 2021, she opened The Linnethia Lounge in Duluth, Georgia, which features live musical performances.

Leakes married Gregg Leakes, with whom she separated in 2010 and divorced in 2011 before remarrying in June 2013. Gregg Leakes passed away from colon cancer in September 2021. Leakes resided in Duluth, Georgia, in a home known as "Casa Leakes," which she listed for sale in October 2021.