The Massive RHOA Season 17 Cast Shakeup: 6 Peaches Confirmed For Atlanta's New Era Of Drama, Divorces, And Returns

The Real Housewives of Atlanta (RHOA) is officially entering a new, massive era, and the cast list for the upcoming Season 17 is the freshest, most dramatic shakeup the franchise has seen in years. As of the current date in December 2025, the show has completely reset its dynamic, confirming the exit of long-time fan favorites like Kenya Moore and Shereé Whitfield, while bringing back two iconic OGs whose return has sent shockwaves through the Bravo universe. This comprehensive guide breaks down the full cast, their latest personal dramas, and why this season is set to bring *RHOA* back to its "heyday." The shift signals Bravo's intention to revitalize the series, focusing on a mix of veteran star power and new faces who are already bringing high-stakes personal and professional storylines to the table. From millionaire entrepreneurs and celebrity chefs to messy divorces and shocking lawsuits, the new cast promises to deliver the authentic, high-drama, and business-focused content that made Atlanta the crown jewel of the *Real Housewives* franchise. Get ready to meet the women who are holding the peaches for Season 17.

The Massive RHOA Season 17 Cast Shakeup and Full Biography List

The latest season of *The Real Housewives of Atlanta* features a drastically altered lineup, with some of the show's biggest names confirming their departure. The focus is now squarely on a core group of six main cast members, blending returning legends with powerful newcomers.

Full Confirmed RHOA Season 17 Main Cast

• Porsha Williams: The "Go Naked" OG returns to the main cast after a brief hiatus.
• Phaedra Parks: The fan-favorite attorney makes a historic comeback after an eight-year absence.
• Drew Sidora: The actress and singer continues her journey, now navigating a high-profile divorce.
• Shamea Morton Mwangi: The television personality and radio host is promoted to a full-time peach holder.
• Kelli Ferrell: The celebrity chef and restaurateur moves into a leading role.
• Angela Oakley: The self-made millionaire and entrepreneur is confirmed as a new main cast member.

Key Cast Exits for Season 17

• Kenya Moore: Confirmed her exit in late July 2025 after a tumultuous Season 16, shocking many fans.
• Shereé Whitfield: The *RHOA* original confirmed she will not be returning for Season 17.
• Marlo Hampton: Also reportedly exited the series following the Season 16 finale.

Detailed Cast Biographies and Current Status

This season introduces a powerful lineup of women whose personal and professional lives are already making headlines:

• Porsha Williams (Born June 22, 1981):
  • Profession: Television personality, singer, actress, activist, and entrepreneur (Go Naked Hair).
  • Current Status: Her highly publicized divorce from Simon Guobadia was finalized in June 2025, but the drama continues, with reports of ongoing legal battles and messy fallout expected to be a major storyline in Season 17.
• Phaedra Parks (Born October 26, 1973):
  • Profession: Attorney, legal analyst, author, activist, and businesswoman (Phaedra Parks & Associates).
  • Current Status: She makes her triumphant, and controversial, return to *RHOA* after an eight-year departure following the infamous Season 9 rumor scandal. She has stated her goal is to bring the show "back to its heyday."
• Drew Sidora:
  • Profession: Actress (known for *That's So Raven*, *The Game*) and singer.
  • Current Status: Her storyline remains focused on the contentious divorce proceedings from her estranged husband, Ralph Pittman, which played out in the previous season and is expected to reach a dramatic conclusion.
• Shamea Morton Mwangi:
  • Profession: Television personality, radio host, and entrepreneur.
  • Current Status: She and her husband, Gerald Mwangi, are involved in a high-profile medical malpractice lawsuit filed in October 2025 against an Atlanta doctor and her company, Pretty Faces Atlanta, alleging severe chemical peel burns. This legal battle is a fresh and major storyline.
• Kelli Ferrell (Born March 19, 1985):
  • Profession: Celebrity Chef, Restaurateur, Author, and Television Personality.
  • Current Status: A successful entrepreneur, she owns the popular restaurant Nana's Chicken & Waffles, named after her grandmother. She is actively expanding her culinary empire, bringing a strong business focus to the show.
• Angela Oakley:
  • Profession: Self-made millionaire, entrepreneur, and television personality.
  • Current Status: Married to former NBA star Charles Oakley, Angela prides herself on being a "self-made millionaire" who achieved financial success independently of her famous husband. She is poised to introduce her business ventures and high-society Atlanta life.

The Return of the OGs: Porsha and Phaedra's New Chapter

The most anticipated element of the *RHOA* Season 17 cast is the reunion of two of its most powerful and dramatic stars: Porsha Williams and Phaedra Parks. Their combined presence is a strategic move by Bravo to recapture the classic energy of the show, but it comes with a heavy dose of fresh, real-life drama that will dominate the headlines.

Porsha Williams’ Post-Divorce Messiness

Porsha Williams, a mainstay whose journey has included everything from "Who Gon' Check Me Boo?" to her own spin-off, returns with a completely new personal dynamic. Her marriage to Simon Guobadia, which began with a whirlwind romance, officially ended in June 2025. However, the fallout is far from clean. Reports indicate that the divorce drama is still "far from over," with financial and legal disputes adding layers of complexity that will undoubtedly be a central theme of her storyline.

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Her return is not just about her personal life; Porsha is a polished veteran who understands the assignment, ready to engage with the new cast and re-establish her place as a top "peach."

Phaedra Parks' Controversial Comeback

Phaedra Parks’ return after an eight-year absence is unprecedented in *Real Housewives* history. The practicing attorney, legal analyst, and author was previously a central figure on the show before her controversial exit in Season 9. Phaedra has been open about her motivation, stating she wants to help bring *RHOA* "back to its heyday."

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Her re-entry creates immediate tension, as she will have to navigate her past with the returning cast members, particularly Drew Sidora. Her signature Southern Belle charm, combined with her sharp legal mind and her bold new tagline, ensures her presence will be electric and divisive.

Meet the New Era of Peaches: Drama, Dollars, and Divorces

The new cast members and the returning stars who were previously "friends of" are stepping up to deliver their own unique blend of Atlanta high society and personal chaos, ensuring the series maintains its reputation for compelling reality television.

Drew Sidora's High-Stakes Divorce Saga

Drew Sidora's storyline has long revolved around the ups and downs of her marriage to Ralph Pittman. Now, with their divorce proceedings ongoing, the actress is allowing the cameras to capture the raw, emotional, and often messy reality of their separation. The separation, which began in the lead-up to the previous season, has created a compelling narrative arc for Drew, moving her from marriage struggles to single life in the Atlanta spotlight.

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Shamea Morton Mwangi's Shocking Lawsuit

Shamea Morton Mwangi, who has long been a key "friend of" the cast, now holds a full-time peach and brings a headline-grabbing personal drama. In a major development in late 2025, Shamea and her husband, Gerald Mwangi, filed a medical malpractice lawsuit against an Atlanta doctor, alleging severe burns from a chemical peel. This legal battle is a deeply personal and high-stakes storyline that immediately positions Shamea as a central figure in the new season's drama.

Kelli Ferrell and Angela Oakley: The Entrepreneurial Powerhouses

The addition of Kelli Ferrell and Angela Oakley underscores the show's return to highlighting successful, self-made women. Kelli Ferrell is a renowned celebrity chef who successfully transitioned from fashion school to the culinary world, building her acclaimed restaurant, Nana's Chicken & Waffles, into an expanding empire. Her professional ambition and family-focused business will provide a fresh look at Atlanta's thriving culinary scene.

Similarly, Angela Oakley, married to NBA legend Charles Oakley, has made it clear that her wealth and success are entirely her own. She proudly refers to herself as a "self-made millionaire," ensuring her storyline focuses on her entrepreneurial journey and business ventures, rather than just her famous spouse. Her confidence and financial independence make her a formidable new voice in the group.

The Future of RHOA: A New Dynamic and Higher Stakes

The massive cast turnover for *The Real Housewives of Atlanta* Season 17 is a clear indication that Bravo is committed to injecting new life, new drama, and new money into the franchise. The departures of long-standing pillars like Kenya Moore and Shereé Whitfield clear the way for the returning OGs, Porsha Williams and Phaedra Parks, to dominate the narrative, while the new full-time cast members—Drew Sidora, Shamea Morton, Kelli Ferrell, and Angela Oakley—bring current, real-life, and high-stakes storylines. With divorces, lawsuits, and entrepreneurial empires at the forefront, Season 17 is poised to be a dramatic reset, focusing on the core themes of friendship, rivalry, business, and family that made the show a cultural phenomenon. Fans should prepare for a season that feels both nostalgic and utterly new, solidifying *RHOA*'s place as the ultimate destination for reality television drama.