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Reality television personality NeNe Leakes filed a lawsuit against Bravo and its parent company, NBCUniversal, in April 2022, alleging a hostile work environment fostered by racially insensitive behavior. While the case was dismissed later that year, Leakes has maintained a distance from the network.
NeNe Leakes’ Lawsuit Against Bravo
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NeNe Leakes, whose full name is Linnea Leakes, initiated legal action against Bravo Media and NBCUniversal on April 7, 2022, in the Superior Court of Fulton County, Georgia. Case number 22CV05017 details the claims.
The lawsuit alleged that Bravo fostered a hostile and discriminatory work environment, claiming that Leakes endured years of racially insensitive and discriminatory behavior during her 10-year tenure on The Real Housewives of Atlanta. She specifically accused Bravo executives and producers of enabling and participating in the alleged discrimination.
Leakes’ complaint cited instances of alleged discrimination,including comments made by fellow cast members and the network’s alleged preferential treatment of white cast members. She claimed the network prioritized white cast members and downplayed or ignored complaints about racist behavior.
Allegations of Discrimination
The core of Leakes’ lawsuit centered on accusations of racial discrimination and the creation of a hostile work environment. She asserted that Bravo and NBCUniversal were aware of the alleged discriminatory behavior but failed to take appropriate action to address it.
Specifically, Leakes alleged that her complaints about racially insensitive remarks made by fellow cast member Kim Zolciak-Seaman were dismissed or minimized by network executives.She also claimed that the network retaliated against her for speaking out against the alleged discrimination.
For example, Leakes alleged that Zolciak-Seaman made racially insensitive comments about her appearance and background, and that Bravo failed to adequately address these comments. Leakes further claimed that the network’s decision not to renew her contract with The Real Housewives of Atlanta was motivated by her complaints about discrimination.
Dismissal and Current Status
On August 16, 2022, the lawsuit was dismissed “without prejudice” by Judge Robert McBurney of the Superior Court of Fulton County, georgia. The court order indicates that the dismissal allows Leakes to refile the lawsuit at a later date if she chooses to do so.
“without prejudice” means the case was dismissed, but Leakes retained the right to bring the claims again, possibly with additional evidence or modifications to her legal strategy. The dismissal did not involve a ruling on the merits of her claims.
Following the dismissal, Leakes has largely refrained from appearing in any projects associated with bravo or NBCUniversal. She has continued to speak publicly about her experiences and her belief that the network needs to address issues of diversity and inclusion.
Leakes’ Post-Lawsuit Stance
Since the dismissal of her lawsuit, NeNe Leakes has maintained a public distance from Bravo. She has stated in interviews that she has not had any interaction with network executives since filing the suit and does not anticipate a reconciliation.
In a November 2023 interview with People magazine, Leakes stated, “I don’t think they want to hear from me.” She has focused on other ventures, including stand-up comedy and entrepreneurial pursuits.
As of January 14, 2026, there have been no further legal developments in the case, and Leakes remains estranged from Bravo.
