‘Real Housewives’ Star Explains Why She Returned to the Show as ‘a Friend of’

“Real Housewives of Atlanta” star Cynthia Bailey explained why she returned to the series as “a friend of.”

During an April 2025 interview on former “Vanderpump Rules” stars Katie Maloney and Dayna Kathan’s podcast, “Disrespectfully,” Bailey noted that she left RHOA in 2021 after starring as a full-time cast member for over 10 years. Bailey, who had cameos in RHOA season 15, said that she was not asked to be a full-time cast member after season 13.

“They didn’t ask me back as a ‘Housewife’ but the friend thing was always an option. And I then thought, you know what I could use a minute. I really want to focus on my acting,” said Bailey during the podcast episode.

She said she eventually changed her mind and decided to take on the role of “a friend of” for RHOA season 16. She explained that she missed being on Bravo. In addition, she said the flexible schedule of being a part-time RHOA star has allowed her to keep working as an actress.

“The friend space is kind of cool because I can still be connected to the fans. Because no matter how many movies I do and how many other shows I do, they’re always like, ‘When are you going back to ‘Housewives’?” said Bailey during the interview. “I’m like, ‘I just left ‘Housewives,’ last week it feels like.’ So our fanbase is incredible. I love the fans, I love the network. I left in a space where I have a great relationship with them. And I said, ‘You know what let me see what this friend thing is all about.'”

Bailey made similar comments about coming back to RHOA in a March 2025 episode of her podcast, “Humble Brag,” co-hosted by “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” alum Crystal Kung Minkoff. She said it was a strange feeling to leave RHOA in 2021.

“It’s weird not being on the show after being on it for over a decade,” said Bailey during the podcast episode.

She also said that “acting is still [her] priority” while she films as “a friend of” for RHOA.

Cynthia Bailey Has a New Boyfriend

Bailey has been dating LePrince, a musician from Amsterdam, for nearly a year. During a March 2025 episode of Tamra Judge and Teddi Mellencamp‘s podcast, “Two Ts In A Pod,” Bailey noted she and LePrince kept their relationship private for quite some time.

“I don’t know how we’ve been able to keep it secret for so long. But we’ve intentionally not done social media. We’ve stayed off social media. We don’t post together. So we’ve kept that part of our lives very private so that helped,” said Bailey in the March 2025 interview.

Bailey also said she did not want to have another public relationship after her divorces from her ex-husbands, Mike Hill and Peter Thomas.