There’s good news to report for #TeamTwirl! Kenya Moore says she will be “vindicated” once the truth behind the revenge porn rumors, which led to her stepping away from #RHOA earlier this year, is revealed on Season 16 of the hit Bravo show.
Source: Charles Sykes / Bravo
In a Dec. 2 interview with Thembi Mawema on Stepping Into The Shade Room, the reality TV star revealed that she will make a brief appearance on the forthcoming season of #RHOA despite her departure from the show. She also addressed rumors that she was “fired” due to the revenge porn allegations made by co-star Brittany Eady, firmly insisting that was not the case.
“I said before, just in the recent interview, all of the rumors about, you know, revenge porn were not true. That was a complete lie,” the housewife told Thembi at the 10:27 minute mark. ”That was something that someone put out there, and then it just kind of like took over that space…I’ve never been fired! You can’t fire me,” the mother of one laughed.
What Happened With Kenya Moore On The New Season Of #RHOA?
Kenya was temporarily suspended from filming Season 16 after being accused of showing sexually explicit images of Brittany during the opening of her new hair salon in Atlanta—allegations that she has since taken accountability for.
As previously reported, Kenya Moore appeared on Tamron Hall in November, where she took responsibility for sharing inappropriate images of RHOA Season 16 newcomer Brittany Eady, a move that ultimately led to her exit from the show. Kenya explained that she was acting in self-defense, as well as in the protection of her daughter, when she exposed what she described as “distasteful” photos of Brittany during the opening of her Kenya Moore Hair Spa. She claimed the photos were shared after Eady allegedly threatened her, though it’s unclear whether the images were sexually explicit.
Source: Prince Williams / Wireimage
Kenya Reaffirms She’s Still Under Contract With Bravo
When Thembi asked if Kenya could reveal some juicy details about the forthcoming season and the controversy, Kenya kept things mum, stating that she was “still under contract” by Bravo.
“So, that’s why I can’t really talk about a lot of things. Because, you know, we filmed the season months and months ago, and it won’t even air until 2025…So I can’t give that stuff away,” the star told Thembi.
Still, when fans got to see the new season, Kenya vowed that she would be vindicated from the vicious rumors, which ties into something super producer Carlos King previously said about her.
“In the words of one of my former producers, I am the most vindicated person in reality TV, because it’s always a lot of talk until you see it, and then they go, ‘Oh, wow, Kenya was right.’”
Kenya Also Opened Up About Her Favorite & Least Favorite Housewives, Shaded Marlo
Later in the interview, Thembi asked the 53-year-old star if there was a Real Housewives cast member who, in her opinion, brought “nothing” to the show or lacked the spice needed to captivate viewers over the years. Kenya disagreed with the premise, saying that an ensemble cast is not about one person.
Source: Charles Sykes / Bravo
She explained that while some cast members naturally become stars who draw viewers in, the success of the franchise as a whole comes from the dynamic between all the women. She added that viewers tune in to see how certain women handle situations or deliver iconic moments, like reading someone, which keeps the audience hooked.
“But you can’t have everybody at level 10,” she clarified. “You have to have someone who is, like a Cynthia, who is kind of like everyone’s friend and in Switzerland most of the time.”
The star also said a few housewives over the years left the franchise “too soon,” such as Eva Marcille, who could read anyone on the show “without batting an eye.”
Kenya also expressed her admiration for Claudia Jordan, calling her a standout who came on the show and “caused a storm.”
However, when asked to pick someone who wasn’t pulling their weight, the RHOA star didn’t hesitate to say it would definitely be Marlo. In fact, she believes Marlo was the most desperate to hold a peach.
“There’s no way, I’m not gonna be 12 Years a Slave to anybody,” the star quipped. “I’ll be 12 years a star!”
When it comes to the title of “Queen of Reads,” Kenya confidently crowned #RHOA alum NeNe Leakes as the reigning champ.
“In her day, you know, Nene could read. She was funny, which I love, you know, I like that balance of being funny and being quick with it. I think everyone has gotten some great reads in you know, to a degree.”
Watch Kenya’s full interview on Stepping Into The Shade Room below.