7 Shocking New Faces And Major Returns: The Ultimate Guide To The Real Housewives Of Atlanta Season 16 Cast

The Real Housewives of Atlanta (RHOA) has returned with one of the most significant cast shakeups in the show's history, bringing a fresh, dynamic energy to the franchise. As of the latest updates in late 2024 and early 2025, Season 16 delivers a perfect blend of veteran drama and new, powerful personalities, completely revitalizing the Atlanta scene. The season sees the long-awaited return of two iconic peaches, a promotion for a fan-favorite "friend," and the introduction of three brand-new housewives who are already stirring up the pot.

Following the departures of long-time stars Kandi Burruss and Kenya Moore, the current lineup focuses heavily on the lives and businesses of seven main cast members. This season promises jaw-dropping twists, intense feuds, and a deep dive into the entrepreneurial spirit and high-society life of Atlanta's elite. Get ready for the full scoop on the women holding the peaches this season.

The Official Cast of The Real Housewives of Atlanta Season 16

The sixteenth season of RHOA features a main cast of seven women, with several familiar faces returning to shake things up. Here is the complete list of main cast members and their essential biographical details:

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• Porsha Williams: Reality TV Personality, Author, and Entrepreneur.
• Phaedra Parks: Attorney, Mortician, and Reality TV Personality.
• Drew Sidora: Actress, Singer, and Entrepreneur.
• Shamea Morton Mwangi: Radio Host, Atlanta Hawks Host, and Entrepreneur.
• Brit Eady: Insurance and Fashion Entrepreneur.
• Kelli Ferrell: Celebrity Chef, Restauranteur, and Author.
• Angela Oakley: Self-Made Entrepreneur and NBA Wife.

Additionally, former main cast member Cynthia Bailey returns as a "friend of the housewives," offering her signature wisdom and a familiar connection to the group.

The New Peaches: Full Biography and Business Ventures

Season 16 introduces three dynamic new housewives, alongside a long-time "friend" who finally earns her peach. These women bring diverse backgrounds in the culinary world, entrepreneurship, and sports society, instantly raising the stakes for the returning veterans.

Shamea Morton Mwangi: The Friend Who Got Her Peach

Shamea Morton Mwangi is a familiar face to RHOA fans, having been a recurring "friend of" for years before officially joining the main cast for Season 16.

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• Role: Main Cast Member (Season 16–Present).
• Career: Radio personality, host for the Atlanta Hawks, and entrepreneur.
• Family: She is married to Gerald Mwangi, and their family life is poised to be a major storyline now that she has her own peach.
• Season 16 Drama: Shamea's promotion comes with immediate conflict, as she is involved in a brewing feud with returning star Porsha Williams.

Kelli Ferrell: The Culinary Mogul

Kelli Ferrell is a powerhouse in the Atlanta culinary scene, known for her successful restaurant and vibrant personality.

• Role: New Main Cast Member.
• Career: Celebrity chef, author, and restauranteur.
• Business: She is the owner of the acclaimed soul food restaurant, Nana's Chicken & Waffles, which she named after her grandmother. Kelli has recently announced plans to expand her restaurant empire, showcasing her business acumen on the show.
• Season 16 Drama: Kelli is quickly involved in drama, notably confronting Porsha Williams early in the season, which revives past dynamics and scandals.

Angela Oakley: The Self-Made NBA Wife

Angela Oakley brings the world of professional sports to RHOA, but insists her success is completely her own.

• Role: New Main Cast Member.
• Career: Self-made millionaire and entrepreneur.
• Family: She has been married to NBA legend Charles Oakley since 2016. Angela is vocal about her journey to becoming a millionaire independently, without relying on her husband's NBA success.
• Season 16 Drama: Angela quickly finds herself in a heated exchange with Phaedra Parks at the reunion, hinting at deep-seated drama over suspicions and accusations.

Brit Eady: The Insurance and Fashion Entrepreneur

A Georgia native and successful businesswoman, Brit Eady is set to showcase her diverse business portfolio and family life.

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• Role: New Main Cast Member.
• Career: Insurance agent (running an Allstate business since 2020) and fashion entrepreneur.
• Family: She is a devoted wife to her husband, Michael Cunningham.
• Storyline: Brit's storyline revolves around juggling her multiple business ventures and navigating the social dynamics of the Atlanta elite, including running a fashion line named in honor of her late father.

The Return of the Veterans: Porsha, Phaedra, and Drew's Season 16 Drama

The return of two major veterans—Porsha Williams and Phaedra Parks—marks a seismic shift for the franchise. Their presence, alongside the returning Drew Sidora, guarantees a season packed with history, fresh conflicts, and major life changes.

Porsha Williams: New Beginnings and Old Rivalries

Porsha Williams's return is the centerpiece of Season 16, following her departure after Season 13. Her storyline is a major comeback, promising a fresh start but quickly getting entangled in old rivalries.

• The Divorce Story: Porsha's return coincides with a major personal upheaval as she navigates her divorce, which is a central theme of her journey this season.
• Feud with Shamea: Despite their long-standing friendship, a feud between Porsha and Shamea Morton Mwangi develops, with problems on the show spilling into their real-life relationship, leading to a dramatic reunion confrontation.
• New Conflicts: Her history and reputation are immediately tested by new cast members, specifically Kelli Ferrell, who confronts Porsha about past scandals.

Phaedra Parks: The Southern Belle is Back

Phaedra Parks officially returns to RHOA as a full-time cast member for Season 16, seven years after her controversial departure.

• Full-Time Status: Phaedra announced her return as a full-time housewife, bringing her unique blend of Southern charm, legal expertise, and shade back to the group.
• Immediate Clashes: Despite her time away, Phaedra is instantly involved in the new group dynamic, notably getting into a heated confrontation with new cast member Angela Oakley at the reunion, addressing accusations made against her.
• Career Focus: Phaedra continues to balance her career as an attorney and mortician, showcasing her life as a single mother and businesswoman.

Drew Sidora: The Actress's Comeback

Drew Sidora returns to Season 16 with a renewed focus on her creative passions.

• Career Pivot: Amidst the major cast changes, Drew is focusing on her original passions: acting and singing.
• Controversial Collaboration: Her storyline is set to be explosive as she embarks on a musical collaboration with the ex of one of her co-stars, a move that is described as "messy."
• Conflict with Porsha: Drew has spoken out in interviews about her feud with Porsha Williams, setting the stage for a major battle between the two returning stars.

Departures and Friend Status: Where Are the OGs Now?

The massive Season 16 shakeup was necessary due to the high-profile departures of two long-time franchise anchors, changing the entire dynamic of the show.

Kandi Burruss's Shocking Exit

Kandi Burruss, the longest-running housewife in the franchise's history, announced her departure from the show, confirming she would not be returning for Season 16. She received a contract but chose to step away to focus on her numerous other business ventures and projects.

Kenya Moore's Post-Season 16 Departure

While Kenya Moore participated in Season 16, reports indicate she announced her departure shortly after the season wrapped, following a tumultuous return. Her exit, alongside Kandi's, solidified the need for the franchise to rebuild with new and returning talent.

Cynthia Bailey's Return as a Friend

Fan-favorite and former model Cynthia Bailey returns to the RHOA fold for Season 16, but in a "friend of the housewives" role. Cynthia's presence helps bridge the gap between the original cast and the new additions, providing a familiar face and a sounding board for the drama.