7 Shocking Returns And Explosive New Faces: Meet The Real Housewives Of Atlanta Season 16 Cast

The Real Housewives of Atlanta (RHOA) has been completely rebooted for its latest season, marking arguably the biggest cast shakeup in the franchise's history. As of December 2025, Bravo has delivered a seismic shift, bringing back two fan-favorite icons—Phaedra Parks and Porsha Williams—while introducing a fresh batch of dynamic entrepreneurs and personalities to the 'A'. The new lineup promises to restore the show's signature mix of high-stakes drama, business empires, and deep-rooted friendships, setting the stage for a must-watch television event.

This massive overhaul for Season 16 sees the departure of several long-time peaches, paving the way for a new era of Atlanta royalty. From a celebrity chef with a famous restaurant to a self-made millionaire married to an NBA legend, the current cast is packed with compelling, successful women ready to share their lives. The new season is already delivering explosive storylines centered on messy divorces, rekindled alliances, and the struggle to balance massive business ventures with personal drama.

The New Faces and Returning Icons: RHOA Season 16 Cast List & Biographies

The main cast for The Real Housewives of Atlanta Season 16 features a mix of returning legends and four brand-new full-time Housewives. This ensemble ensures a fresh dynamic while capitalizing on the nostalgia and chemistry of past seasons.

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Phaedra Parks

• Role: Main Cast Member (Returning)
• Age: 52 (Born October 26, 1973)
• Profession: Entertainment Attorney, Legal Analyst, Author, Activist, and Businesswoman.
• Latest Update: Phaedra makes her highly anticipated return to RHOA after an eight-year absence, bringing her signature wit, charm, and legal expertise back to the screen. Her return follows appearances on other Bravo shows like The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip and Married to Medicine.

Porsha Williams

• Role: Main Cast Member (Returning)
• Age: 43 (As of the time of initial search)
• Profession: Television Personality, Entrepreneur, and Author.
• Latest Update: Porsha returns to the franchise after a brief hiatus, but her storyline is immediately explosive, dealing with the emotional and public fallout of her recent divorce. Her close friendship with Shamea Morton is also a central theme, with some drama stirring up between the two.

Drew Sidora

• Role: Main Cast Member (Returning)
• Age: 39 (As of the time of initial search)
• Profession: Actress, Singer, and Entrepreneur.
• Latest Update: Drew’s Season 16 journey is heavily focused on the messy and awkward realities of her divorce from Ralph Pittman. The season captures the challenges of co-parenting and navigating a high-conflict separation while living in the same home, a situation she has called "messy."

Brit Eady

• Role: Main Cast Member (New)
• Profession: Insurance Agent, Entrepreneur, and Former Model.
• Latest Update: Brit is the new face bringing fashion, glam, and a successful career as an insurance mogul to the group. She is the founder of an Allstate insurance agency, which she started in 2020.

Kelli Ferrell

• Role: Main Cast Member (New)
• Profession: Celebrity Chef, Restaurateur, and Culinary Author.
• Latest Update: Kelli is the acclaimed owner of Nana's Chicken & Waffles, a popular dining spot that fuses Southern comfort food with unique twists. She has recently expanded her empire by opening a second location in Sandy Springs. Her journey from fashion student to culinary mogul is one to watch.

Shamea Morton Mwangi

• Role: Main Cast Member (Promoted)
• Profession: Radio Personality (Morning Co-host at V-103), Actress, Dancer, and Singer.
• Latest Update: After years as a beloved "Friend of the Housewives," Shamea has finally earned her peach as a full-time cast member for Season 16. She is married to Gerald Mwangi, and her storyline will explore juggling her successful radio career with motherhood and her new role on the show.

Angela Oakley

• Role: Main Cast Member (New)
• Profession: Self-Made Millionaire, Entrepreneur, and Philanthropist.
• Latest Update: Angela is married to NBA legend Charles Oakley, but she takes great pride in her own success, emphasizing that she is a "self-made millionaire" who achieved her wealth independently. She is set to bring a powerful new dynamic to the group.

The Biggest Cast Shakeup: Who’s In and Who’s Out for Season 16

The Season 16 cast change is one of the most dramatic in the history of The Real Housewives of Atlanta, effectively resetting the show’s dynamic. The decision to bring back two major former stars, Phaedra Parks and Porsha Williams, signals a clear effort by Bravo to revitalize the franchise and recapture the magic of earlier seasons.

Major Departures That Shocked Fans

The shakeup involved the confirmed exit of several key figures from the previous season, leaving a massive void that the new cast is tasked with filling:

• Kandi Burruss-Tucker: One of the longest-running and most successful Housewives, Kandi announced her departure, leaving a huge gap in the cast's veteran presence.
• Kenya Moore: Known for her sharp wit and dramatic flair, Kenya was reportedly suspended and did not return to filming for the remainder of the season, marking an unexpected exit for the former Miss USA.
• Marlo Hampton: The "Le’Archive" fashionista confirmed that her contract with RHOA ended after Season 15 wrapped, opting for a break from the franchise.
• Sanya Richards-Ross: The Olympic gold medalist also did not return for the new season.

The return of both Phaedra and Porsha, who were once inseparable friends before a major fallout, is a huge draw for fans. Their history, combined with Shamea Morton's promotion (who is Porsha's best friend), sets the stage for a compelling new dynamic, forcing the ladies to confront old tensions and forge new alliances.

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Divorce Drama, Business Empires, and New Alliances: What to Expect

The new season of RHOA is not holding back, focusing on the very real and messy life updates of the Atlanta Housewives. The storylines are rich with high-stakes personal drama and impressive professional achievements, providing topical authority and a deep dive into the lives of these powerful women.

The Central Divorce Storylines

Divorce is a major theme this season, providing much of the emotional and dramatic weight. Drew Sidora's separation from Ralph Pittman is front and center. The season documents the difficult process, including the complicated decision to continue "nesting" with Ralph for the sake of their children—a situation that has been described as one of the messiest divorces in franchise history. Simultaneously, returning star Porsha Williams is also navigating her own high-profile divorce, adding another layer of personal vulnerability to her comeback narrative.

Building the Atlanta Business Empires

Beyond the personal turmoil, the cast members are showcasing their impressive business acumen, which is a core element of the *Atlanta Housewives* brand:

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• Kelli Ferrell’s Culinary Success: Kelli’s storyline provides a look into the competitive Atlanta restaurant scene, highlighting the challenges and rewards of running her successful Nana’s Chicken & Waffles empire.
• Angela Oakley’s Self-Made Status: Angela is determined to step out of her husband Charles Oakley's shadow, focusing on her journey as a self-made millionaire and successful entrepreneur.
• Brit Eady's Insurance Mogul Status: Brit’s career as an insurance expert and former model demonstrates the diverse paths to wealth in Atlanta, adding a fresh professional perspective.

The Return of a Fan-Favorite Friend

While not a full-time peach holder, Cynthia Bailey is also confirmed to be returning as a "friend" of the Housewives. Her presence ensures that another veteran voice is in the mix, potentially offering a bridge between the old guard and the new faces. Cynthia's return, coupled with the dramatic comebacks of Phaedra and Porsha, has created a highly anticipated season that promises to be a legendary reboot for the franchise.