The Ultimate RHOA Reboot: Ranking The 7 New And Returning Cast Members Of Season 16 And Their Biggest Scandals

The Real Housewives of Atlanta (RHOA) has undergone its most dramatic cast shake-up in over a decade, with a rebooted ensemble for Season 16 set to redefine the franchise. As of December 18, 2025, the buzz is all about the return of fan-favorite OGs and the introduction of three dynamic new peaches, all promising an explosive season that has already wrapped its reunion taping and is slated to premiere on March 9, 2025.

This comprehensive guide dives deep into the seven main cast members of the highly anticipated Season 16, detailing their current life updates, business ventures, and the scandalous storylines that have already leaked from the filming process. From high-profile divorces and new romances to explosive on-camera confrontations, the new era of RHOA is here, and the drama is juicier than ever.

The Official RHOA Season 16 Cast: Complete Biography & Profile Details

The 16th season features a mix of returning veterans, a fan-favorite friend finally earning her peach, and three completely new faces, ensuring a fresh dynamic. The following main cast members are confirmed to hold a peach for the new season, with a special mention for a returning veteran in a friend role.

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• Porsha Williams: The "Naked Without You" author and television host returns to the main cast after a brief hiatus. Her Season 16 storyline focuses heavily on navigating a high-profile divorce and the challenges of house hunting while introducing a new romance.
• Phaedra Parks: The high-powered attorney and mortician makes her highly-anticipated return to RHOA after her stint on *Married to Medicine*. Her current focus includes her successful career and a new relationship with a younger man, who is expected to appear on the show.
• Drew Sidora: The actress and singer is the only main cast member to survive the Season 15 shake-up. Her storyline centers on her renewed focus on her acting and singing career, including a controversial musical collaboration with a co-star’s ex-fiancé.
• Shamea Morton Mwangi: A long-time "friend of" the Housewives, Shamea has finally been promoted to a full-time main cast member. She is known for her work as an actress, dancer, and on-air personality for the Atlanta Hawks. Her promotion promises to finally address unresolved issues with Phaedra Parks.
• Kelli Ferrell: A new addition, Kelli is a celebrity chef, restaurateur, and author. She is the owner of the popular restaurant chain Nana's Chicken-N-Waffles, which she is currently expanding. She brings a focus on family and culinary entrepreneurship to the group.
• Angela Oakley: Another new peach holder, Angela is a self-made millionaire and successful businesswoman. She is the wife of NBA legend Charles Oakley, but she takes pride in building her own career and wealth independently.
• Brit Eady: A new face in the cast, Brit is a successful insurance and fashion entrepreneur from Georgia. She is an Allstate agent and devoted wife to Michael Cunningham, bringing a fresh perspective on balancing business and family life.
• Cynthia Bailey (Friend of): A veteran Housewife from Seasons 3–13, Cynthia is making a comeback to the series in a "Friend of the Housewives" capacity, adding a familiar face to the rebooted dynamic.

The Biggest Season 16 Scandals: Explosive Feuds and Shocking Returns

The Real Housewives of Atlanta is famous for its explosive confrontations, and Season 16 has already delivered, even before the premiere. The cast has already filmed their reunion, confirming that the drama captured on camera is substantial and intense.

The Kenya Moore Hair Spa Incident: Explicit Photos and Cast Feud

The most shocking scandal to leak from the filming of Season 16 involved an explosive incident at the grand opening of Kenya Moore's business, the Kenya Moore Hair Spa. During the event, Kenya allegedly displayed explicit poster board images of a co-star, Brit Eady, leading to a massive confrontation and widespread media coverage.

This highly controversial taping moment reportedly created such a rift that Brit Eady chose to skip the Season 16 reunion taping, highlighting the severity of the feud. The incident not only tested the alliances within the group but also became a major talking point for the entire season. The drama over the explicit photos and the subsequent fallout is set to be one of the most talked-about storylines of the season.

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Phaedra's Return and the Unresolved Shamea & Porsha Drama

The return of Phaedra Parks, a fan-favorite, brings with it a host of unresolved issues, particularly with her former friend, Shamea Morton Mwangi. Shamea’s promotion to a full-time peach holder ensures that their past drama will be front and center.

• Phaedra vs. Shamea: The reunion trailer shows Shamea being directly confronted about her unresolved issues with Phaedra, a feud dating back to Phaedra’s initial departure from the show.
• The New Peaches Confront Phaedra: Newcomer Angela Oakley is also seen confronting Phaedra about accusations made during the season finale and continuing her case against the attorney at the reunion.

Phaedra’s comeback is not just a nostalgic return; it’s a strategic move that reignites old rivalries and immediately puts her in the middle of fresh, intense drama with both new and returning cast members.

From Divorce to Duets: Porsha and Drew’s Personal Life Storylines

Beyond the group drama, the personal lives of the returning veterans are providing deep, emotional storylines, securing their relevance in the rebooted series.

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Porsha Williams: Navigating Divorce and New Love

Porsha Williams' Season 16 journey is a deeply personal one, focusing on her divorce proceedings. Despite the emotional toll of the divorce, Porsha is seen house hunting with her family, signaling a new chapter in her life. Most intriguingly, the season documents her already-blossoming new romance, proving that the reality star is quickly moving past the pain of her separation.

Drew Sidora’s Controversial Music Collaboration

Drew Sidora is capitalizing on her second chance by focusing on her original passions: acting and singing. However, her attempt to boost her music career led to immediate cast drama. Drew collaborated on a new music project with Dennis McKinley, the ex-fiancé of her co-star, Porsha Williams.

This collaboration sparked a significant feud, with Porsha confronting Drew about the decision. While Drew insisted Porsha was aware of the music and even provided feedback, the storyline creates a messy triangle that is set to unfold throughout the season.

The rebooted RHOA Season 16 promises to deliver a new level of high-stakes drama and personal revelations. With a strong mix of established veterans and ambitious new entrepreneurs, the dynamics of the Atlanta social scene are about to shift dramatically when the season premieres on March 9, 2025. Fans should prepare for a season filled with career pivots, messy friendships, and the kind of explosive confrontations only the Georgia peaches can deliver.