The Real Housewives of Atlanta star Cynthia Bailey went to Gregg Leakes' celebration of life ceremony and says that she was surprised by NeNe's reaction. Gregg died after a long battle with colon cancer on Sept. 1, 2021, and instead of having a traditional funeral, NeNe threw him a party at her nightclub, Georgia's The Linnethia Lounge, just a week after. RHOA cast members such as Kenya Moore, Phaedra Parks, Eva Marcille, Porsha Williams, and Marlo Hampton were all in attendance to help NeNe through her loss.
One cast member who wasn't previously reported as attending was Cynthia Bailey, who has long been feuding with her former RHOA co-star, NeNe. The two have always had their issues on the show, but Cynthia and NeNe really fell out after the season 11 RHOA finale. At the time, Cynthia had reportedly invited NeNe's then nemesis Kenya Moore to an event without telling NeNe and then was caught on a hot mic admitting that she might have been up to no good by bringing the two together. Afterward, NeNe and Cynthia sparred on social media and they didn't put any of their issues to bed until a season 12 episode, in which they finally seemed to forgive each other. Still, it's well known in the Bravo-verse that NeNe and Cynthia's relationship has been strained IRL, even though fans didn't get to see the aftermath of their truce given that NeNe left RHOA before season 13 began filming.
But all might not be lost for these two old friends, as Cynthia revealed on an episode of Us Weekly's Getting Real with the Housewives podcast that she actually asked Marlo to come with her to the party. She said, "I was like, ‘You have to come with me to meet her because I’m scared to go by myself, I haven’t seen this woman in two years.’ I did not want to turn up to the Linnethia Lounge to have the door slammed in my face." Cynthia added that she thought NeNe was likely "shocked" to see her and that it was awkward for a little bit, but that ultimately things got smoother, and the RHOA alum was actually one of the people to stay until the very end. It's a testament to Gregg's legacy that Cynthia showed up and didn't make a big deal of it on social media. It was more important to celebrate NeNe's husband. in the proper way. Cynthia added, "We’re obviously not friends anymore. However, just like the rest of the world, I had so much love and respect for Gregg and for what they shared together."
Whether or not NeNe and Cynthia are still friends now, the two shared a bond before their eventual falling out, as evidenced by Cynthia's Instagram post after his death. In the photo, she and her husband Mike Hill pose alongside NeNe and Gregg, a reminder of simpler times for the two Housewives. The two women are RHOA OGs, with NeNe headlining the show from season 1 and Cynthia coming in way back in season 3, along with Phaedra Parks, and it's always been rough for fans to watch them not get along like they used to. But it sounds like they are at least able to remember what's important when times really get tough for the other one, such as Gregg's death.
Both women have since left the show, which might be the best for their relationship. NeNe announced her departure in 2020, saying that the decision wasn't an easy one, but that it was for the best. Similarly, in 2021, Cynthia revealed that she was also leaving the show in an attempt to best avoid the so-called "marriage curse" of being on the Bravo series. While things may never be the same between the two women, as they both enter new chapters of their life it might just be the right moment in time to reconnect away from The Real Housewives of Atlanta cameras. As long as there are no hot mics involved, of course.
The Real Housewives of Atlanta season 14 premieres on Sunday, November 28 at 9 p.m. EST
Source: Us Weekly, Cynthia Bailey