REAL Housewives of Atlanta alum Cynthia Bailey has finally responded to fan speculation she’s returning to the Bravo show.
Nearly two years after announcing her exit from RHOA, Cynthia, 56, has spoken out in an exclusive interview with The U.S. Sun about whether she would make a comeback.
"I'm not interested in returning as a housewife at this time [either with] Beverly Hills or Atlanta. That's just not where my focus is," the reality star shared.
"I just feel like I've done it consistently for 11 years and I keep saying when asked I just feel like it's time for me."
She added: "It was just time for me to go and I feel like I've given two marriages, I've given two divorces.
"I've just given a lot on the show, and I wouldn't do it any other way.
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"However, I just feel like now I wanna use the amazing platform that I've had to just really do other things that I wanna do.
"I'm like one of the older housewives- I want to just have fun and just live my life in a different way right now with a little less drama, to be honest."
The TV personality is referring to her exes Mike Hill and Peter Thomas.
Her divorce from Mike was finalized in December 2022 after two years of marriage and, before that, her divorce from Peter was finalized in March 2017 after seven years of marriage.
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HOUSEWIVES CAMEO
That's not to say that she's not open to making cameos on The Real Housewives.
She was seen filming with the cast of Beverly Hills in March - she's especially close to Sutton Stracke - since she moved to Los Angeles to live with her ex Mike Hill prior to their divorce.
She has since moved back to her lake house, Lake Bailey, in Atlanta.
Cynthia has also filmed some scenes for the current season of RHOA, but isn't sure whether they will air in the upcoming episodes.
She teased: "I do pop in and out of Atlanta a little bit this season. I did not see myself in the mid-season trailer... but I did film with the ladies a few times, so hopefully I'll be coming up.
"Right now, I'm having a blast just hanging out with these ladies in real life and I'm having fun popping in here and there."
NENE RETURNING?
While Cynthia isn't 100 percent down to return full-time, her former castmate, NeNe Leakes recently told TMZ that she "would come back."
"I would come back for the fans because the fans are the ones that love me, love to see me in that position. I would do anything for them," she told the media outlet on July 5.
Cynthia shared her opinion on NeNe returning to RHOA.
"Look, NeNe was a great housewife. Like, nobody can ever take that from her and if they could work it out between her and the network, then God bless.
"I mean, you know, she's definitely great TV, 100 percent."
When asked about their friendship, the women's health advocate admitted her and NeNe are "cool."
Cynthia explained: "We're just not, you know, I don't wanna say we're not friends- we are in a respectful place if I see her.
"We always laugh and talk, but we're not friends like we were years ago when we were together on the show.
"But I wish her the best. I have nothing against her and it's all love for me to her."
Bravo fans are also calling for Porsha Williams' return, especially after ratings continue to sink.
"Porsha, I definitely, 100 percent, think should go back. I know her fans wanna see her new life as Mrs. Guobadia.
"I was just at her house- she's living an amazing life and... she seems very happy and we'd love to see it," Cynthia insisted.
NEXT CHAPTER
The Atlanta native appeared on season one of Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip in November 2021.
"As much as I love the show and the platform, it does come with a certain amount of stress and drama to film a reality show like that.
"And, you know, my health is a big priority for me. I'm on a health and wellness journey and actually doing a retreat this year," Cynthia told The U.S. Sun while promoting her partnership with Seagram's Escapes.
She also is making her acting career a priority, noting she has a few movies coming up that she'll be doing press for.
One she's really excited about is a movie she filmed with her 23-year-old daughter, Noelle Robinson, called Different With Me.
The actress dished: "This is our first time in a movie together. We don't have scenes together, but she's in it and I'm it, so I cannot wait to see how she did.
"She's focusing more on acting as well. You know, her dad [Leon Robinson] is an actor, so we've all become thespians over here now."
She recently spoke out on castmate Kyle Richards' separation from Mauricio Umansky.
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In between acting and focusing on her health, the Terror Lake Drive star is making time this summer to hang out with friends and share her Peach Bellini Ombre Punch recipe.
The summer cocktail is made with Seagram's Escapes Peach Bellini, bourbon, fresh lemon juice and grenadine.
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