The Ultimate RHOA Season 17 Cast Guide: 7 Peaches Who Are Shaking Up Atlanta's New Era

The Real Housewives of Atlanta (RHOA) is officially entering a dramatic new era, and as of December 18, 2025, the lineup for Season 17 promises a complete overhaul of the show's dynamic. Following the high-profile departures of long-time mainstays like Kandi Burruss, Kenya Moore, and Shereé Whitfield, Bravo has brought back some fan-favorite OGs and introduced powerful new businesswomen who are already stirring up major controversy. This season is set to be a true rebirth for the Atlanta franchise, focusing on massive personal scandals, entrepreneurial empires, and the return of a legendary 'Southern Belle.' The casting decisions for RHOA Season 17 are a direct response to fan demand for fresh energy and high-stakes drama. With the return of two major veterans and the inclusion of powerful new voices, the show is poised to recapture the magic of its earlier seasons. The central themes will revolve around explosive divorces, new relationships, and the intense pressures of managing massive Atlanta-based businesses in the public eye.

The Confirmed RHOA Season 17 Main Cast: A Full Profile

The core group for the new season features a mix of returning veterans and women promoted from "Friend of the Housewives" roles, ensuring deep-seated history and immediate friction. This is the cast set to carry the new era of the show, delivering the glamour and drama Atlanta is known for.

• Porsha Williams (Returning OG)
• Phaedra Parks (Returning OG)
• Drew Sidora (Returning Housewife)
• Shamea Morton Mwangi (Promoted Housewife)
• Kelli Ferrell (Promoted Housewife)
• Angela Oakley (Returning Housewife)
• Pinky Cole Hayes (New Housewife/Rumored)
• K. Michelle (New Housewife/Rumored)

Porsha Williams: The Divorce and the Plot Twist

Porsha Williams is back with a peach and a whirlwind of personal drama that is guaranteed to be the centerpiece of Season 17. Her return follows a tumultuous period, primarily her second divorce from entrepreneur Simon Guobadia, which was officially finalized in June 2025.

The divorce storyline is far from settled, with new reports suggesting the split has gotten messy again post-finalization. However, the most explosive plot twist involves Porsha’s rumored new relationship. Speculation is running wild after her appearance at Culture Con 2025, where she teased a major life change. Rumors of a "secret girlfriend" have surfaced, suggesting Porsha will be flipping the script on her personal life and introducing a shocking new dynamic to the RHOA landscape. This shift promises to be a powerful storyline for the veteran Housewife, moving beyond her previous marriage woes and into a bold new chapter.

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Phaedra Parks: The Southern Belle's Triumphant Return

After years away, the legendary 'Southern Belle' and attorney Phaedra Parks has officially confirmed her return to RHOA for Season 17. Her comeback is one of the most anticipated moments in franchise history, and Phaedra herself has stated that returning to the show felt like "coming home." Fans are eager to see how the witty and sharp-tongued lawyer interacts with the current cast, particularly with the new additions and her former castmates.

Phaedra’s presence immediately raises the stakes. She is known for her iconic shade, business acumen, and complex personal life, which previously involved her divorce from Apollo Nida. Her return is seen as a strategic move by Bravo to inject classic RHOA energy and gravitas back into the series following a number of high-profile exits. Her storyline is expected to focus on her successful law practice, her work as a mortician, and navigating the Atlanta social scene as a single mother.

The Divorce Wars: Drew Sidora's Public Battle

Drew Sidora’s storyline will continue to be dominated by her highly publicized and messy divorce from Ralph Pittman. The couple, who filed for divorce in February 2023 after nearly a decade of marriage, have been engaged in a drawn-out legal battle that has played out in the media and on the show.

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The drama hit a new peak when a judge unsealed the divorce case, exposing painful details to the public. Furthermore, Ralph Pittman has publicly exposed allegations of Drew having an affair with former basketball player Ty Young, which is guaranteed to be a major source of conflict and conversation among the cast. Drew's Season 17 arc will focus on her attempts to move forward, co-parent, and rebuild her life amidst the intense scrutiny of her failing marriage and the public spectacle of the divorce proceedings. The emotional toll of the divorce and the subsequent fallout will provide a raw and vulnerable look into her life.

New Peaches & Power Players: Entrepreneurship and Scandal

The new additions to the RHOA cast are not just socialites; they are major power players in the Atlanta business and entertainment scenes. Their inclusion brings a strong focus on high-level entrepreneurship and the drama that comes with managing multi-million dollar empires.

Pinky Cole Hayes: The Slutty Vegan Empire

Restaurateur Pinky Cole Hayes, the founder of the wildly popular vegan burger chain Slutty Vegan ATL, is set to join the cast. Pinky is a formidable businesswoman married to another Atlanta-based restaurant owner, which solidifies her place in the city's elite culinary world. Her storyline will showcase her journey from food truck to franchising success, as she recently announced the next chapter for the Slutty Vegan brand.

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However, Pinky is already serving up scandal. Just as she began filming, reports surfaced that she was facing a lawsuit over claims of $87,000 in unpaid rent for one of her restaurant locations. This legal and business controversy is a timely and fresh storyline that will immediately put her at the center of the RHOA drama, forcing her to defend her business practices against the questioning of the other Housewives.

K. Michelle: The Music Mogul's Reality Return

Singer and television personality K. Michelle is also widely rumored and has been spotted filming with the cast, indicating a major role in Season 17. Known for her powerful voice and fiery personality from her time on Love & Hip Hop, K. Michelle is expected to bring a new level of celebrity and confrontation to the series. Her potential co-stars, including Kandi Burruss (before her departure), have already expressed excitement, believing she would be a great addition.

The drama is already brewing, as K. Michelle has seemingly "activated" by a new castmate, taking to social media to call out an unnamed "bimbo." This pre-season feud suggests she will not shy away from conflict and is ready to jump into the fray, potentially filling the void left by other strong personalities.

The Promoted Peaches: Kelli Ferrell and Shamea Morton

Two women who have been building their presence on the show are stepping up as full-time Housewives. Kelli Ferrell, a celebrated celebrity chef, restaurateur, and author, is a major asset to the cast. Kelli is the owner of the acclaimed restaurant Nana's Chicken & Waffles, and her professional life as a businesswoman and cookbook author ("Kooking with Kelli") will provide a glimpse into Atlanta's high-end culinary scene. Her net worth and entrepreneurial drive make her a formidable new Housewife.

Shamea Morton Mwangi, a long-time "friend" of the cast, is finally getting her full-time peach. Shamea is known for her close friendships with Porsha and Kandi and her work as a radio personality. Her promotion ensures that she will have a more direct role in the group's dynamics, bringing her sharp wit and insider knowledge to the forefront. These promotions are key to integrating the new cast members with the returning veterans.

The Impact of the Great RHOA Cast Shake-Up

The mass exodus of veteran Housewives—Kandi Burruss's departure after 14 seasons, Kenya Moore's exit following a tumultuous Season 16, and Shereé Whitfield's confirmed non-return—marks a definitive end of an era.

The Season 17 cast is a bold attempt by Bravo to reinvent the series. By bringing back the heavy-hitters Phaedra Parks and Porsha Williams, they are ensuring a foundation of known drama and star power. By introducing business titans like Pinky Cole Hayes and seasoned reality stars like K. Michelle, they are guaranteeing fresh conflicts that are rooted in wealth, power, and real-world scandal. The combination of old-school RHOA feuds and new-school entrepreneurship is set to make Season 17 one of the most talked-about installments in the franchise's history.