The Ultimate RHOA Cast Shake-Up: 7 Atlanta Housewives Who Are Defining Season 17 (2025)

The Real Housewives of Atlanta (RHOA) franchise is officially in a state of seismic change, marking one of the biggest cast shake-ups in the show's history as it transitions into the next era. As of late 2024 and early 2025, the focus has shifted entirely to a revamped cast, explosive returns, and the departure of long-standing icons, promising a fresh, drama-filled Season 17. The current roster is defined by a mix of veteran fan favorites returning to reclaim their peaches and dynamic new Atlanta socialites ready to make their mark on Bravo TV.

This deep dive into the 2025 cast reveals the true power players, the major storylines dominating the season, and the high-profile exits that have cleared the stage for a new narrative. From a shocking high-stakes divorce to a monumental return after an eight-year exile, the Atlanta Housewives are ensuring the spotlight remains firmly on the A.

The Definitive Real Housewives of Atlanta Season 17 Cast Roster (2025)

The upcoming season features a core group of returning full-time housewives, a few Season 16 additions who have secured their spot, and two highly-buzzed-about new cast members who are set to bring the heat. The following list represents the most current and confirmed/expected cast members actively filming for the new season.

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• Porsha Williams: Full-Time Housewife (Returned Season 16)
• Phaedra Parks: Full-Time Housewife (Returned Season 16)
• Drew Sidora: Full-Time Housewife (Returning)
• Shamea Morton: Full-Time Housewife (Promoted from Friend)
• Kelli Ferrell: Full-Time Housewife (Returning)
• Angela Oakley: Full-Time Housewife (Returning)
• K. Michelle: Rumored Full-Time Housewife (New Addition)
• Pinky Cole Hayes: Rumored Friend of the Housewives (New Addition)

Porsha Williams: The High-Stakes Divorce and Asset Protection

Porsha Williams' return to the show was monumental, but her personal life has quickly become the central storyline of the new season. After a whirlwind romance and marriage to entrepreneur Simon Guobadia, Williams filed for divorce, citing the need to protect her assets. This unexpected split has provided a deeply personal and high-stakes narrative for her return. Porsha, a veteran of the franchise, is known for her dramatic flair, and her divorce drama is expected to unfold in a major way, showing a more business-minded, guarded side of the star.

Biography & Key Entities:

• Full Name: Porsha Dyanne Williams
• Occupation: Television Personality, Entrepreneur, Author (The Pursuit of Porsha)
• RHOA Tenure: Seasons 5–13, returned Season 16.
• Recent Storyline Focus: Divorce from Simon Guobadia, co-parenting with ex Dennis McKinley, and career re-launch.

Phaedra Parks: The Prodigal Daughter's Return After Scandal

Phaedra Parks' return to the RHOA main cast is arguably the most talked-about event in recent Bravo history. Fired after Season 9 for spreading a damaging rumor about Kandi Burruss, her comeback after an eight-year exile was a massive gamble for the network. Her return has been successful, focusing on her career as an attorney, her life as a single mother to sons Ayden and Dylan, and her spiritual journey. Crucially, the season has featured her making amends with former best friend Porsha Williams, a key step in her reintegration into the group.

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Biography & Key Entities:

• Full Name: Phaedra Parks
• Occupation: Attorney, Mortician, Author
• RHOA Tenure: Seasons 3–9, returned Season 16.
• Recent Storyline Focus: Re-establishing her law practice, co-parenting with ex-husband Apollo Nida, and her friendship rekindling with Porsha.

The Dramatic Exits and New Faces for RHOA Season 17

The new season is as much about who is joining as it is about who has left. The show is moving forward without two of its most iconic and long-running cast members, signaling a true reboot for the franchise.

The Shocking Departures of Kenya Moore and Shereé Whitfield

In a major shake-up, both Kenya Moore and Shereé Whitfield confirmed they would not be returning for Season 17. Kenya Moore, known for her "Gone With the Wind Fabulous" taglines and feuds, revealed her exit in mid-2025 following a tumultuous Season 16. Similarly, original cast member Shereé Whitfield, the queen of "She by Shereé" and "Chateau Shereé," also confirmed her departure, leaving a massive void in the cast dynamic. Their absence creates a power vacuum, which the returning and new housewives are eager to fill.

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The Highly Anticipated New Additions: K. Michelle and Pinky Cole Hayes

The rumor mill has been working overtime, and two names have consistently surfaced as the most likely new additions, bringing a new layer of celebrity and entrepreneurship to the show.

K. Michelle: The Outspoken Singer

Singer K. Michelle has been spotted filming with the cast, fueling speculation that she is the new full-time housewife. Known for her unfiltered personality, musical talent, and past reality TV appearances, K. Michelle is expected to be a major source of conflict and entertainment. Rumors suggest she may already be embroiled in a feud with an existing cast member, promising immediate drama for the season.

Biography & Key Entities:

• Full Name: Kimberly Michelle Pate
• Occupation: R&B Singer, Songwriter, Television Personality
• Recent Storyline Focus: Her music career, personal life, and potential on-screen feuds with the established Atlanta socialites.

Pinky Cole Hayes: The Slutty Vegan Empire

Entrepreneur Pinky Cole Hayes, the founder of the wildly successful vegan restaurant Slutty Vegan ATL, is also heavily rumored to be joining the cast, possibly in a "Friend of the Housewives" role. Her presence would add a powerful business mogul and a fresh perspective on Atlanta's thriving culinary scene. Her potential storyline could revolve around the pressures of running a multi-million dollar food empire and navigating the city’s elite social circles.

Biography & Key Entities:

• Full Name: Pinky Cole Hayes
• Occupation: Restaurateur, Entrepreneur, Author
• Recent Storyline Focus: The expansion of Slutty Vegan ATL, her marriage, and managing her growing business portfolio.

The Ongoing Drama: Divorce, Nesting, and Power Struggles

Beyond the new faces, the returning veterans are bringing deeply personal and complex storylines that will anchor the season's drama. The cast is focusing on the real-life struggles of marriage, divorce, and motherhood in the public eye.

Drew Sidora's Unsealed Divorce Saga

Drew Sidora's relationship with Ralph Pittman has always been a point of contention on the show, but their unsealed divorce is set to be the most explosive chapter yet. The legal battle has been public and messy, with Drew shedding tears on camera after a judge ruled to unseal the divorce records. The season is expected to delve into the details of their separation, including the highly unusual "nesting" arrangement where the estranged couple continued to live in the same house but in separate spaces, a concept Drew was attempting to manage for the sake of their children.

Biography & Key Entities:

• Full Name: Drew Sidora Jordan
• Occupation: Actress, Singer
• RHOA Tenure: Seasons 13–present.
• Recent Storyline Focus: The bitter divorce from Ralph Pittman, co-parenting, and her career as an actress.

With the departure of two major figures and the highly charged returns of Porsha and Phaedra—both navigating divorces—the new era of RHOA is centered on redemption, new beginnings, and the cutthroat reality of life as a high-profile woman in Atlanta. The combination of established drama and fresh energy from rumored additions like K. Michelle and Pinky Cole Hayes ensures that Season 17 will be one of the most talked-about seasons in the franchise's history. Fans should prepare for a season where every peach is fighting for their place at the top.