The Real Housewives of Atlanta is bringing back its signature big peach energy in 2025. After an extended break, Bravo’s hit reality series is returning for season 16, which will kick off with a supersized premiere on Sunday, March 9.
Viewers can expect to see familiar faces like Porsha Williams, Drew Sidora, and returning star Phaedra Parks, alongside newcomers Shamea Morton Mwangi, Brit Eady, Kelli Ferrell, and Angela Oakley, all of whom are set to bring plenty of glitz, glamour, and drama to Atlanta.
“I think people have been waiting a long time to see what we’ve done. We’ve got great new housewives,” Andy Cohen shared with Bravo’s The Daily Dish in December 2024.
“We’ve got the return of Porsha. We’ve got the return of Phaedra. Shamea is a full Housewife. I mean, she’s someone that we’ve been seeing for years and years, but seeing her in this way is totally a breath of fresh air.”
When Does RHOA Season 16 Premiere?
On January 30, Bravo released the official trailer for RHOA season 16, confirming that the season will begin with an extended episode on Sunday, March 9, at 8 p.m. ET. Episodes will be available for streaming the following day on Peacock.
Which RHOA Cast Members Are Returning for Season 16?
Fans will immediately recognize longtime stars Porsha and Drew, who have both been full-time Housewives in previous seasons.
New cast members include Brit Eady, Kelli Ferrell, and Angela Oakley, the wife of NBA legend Charles Oakley.
What Is Cynthia Bailey’s Role in RHOA Season 16?
Although she was a full-time Housewife from seasons 3 to 13, Cynthia Bailey is returning as a “friend” of the cast for season 16—a role she is embracing.
“As an official friend, I actually go on the trips, and I’m with the ladies a lot more,” Cynthia told Us Weekly in November 2024. “I’m a little more in the mix this time.
And for me, it’s the perfect situation because I miss the girls. I’m still connected to so many of the ladies on the show, but my focus remains on my acting career, which is going great by the way. It’s so much fun to stay connected to the show and to the fans.”
The Real Housewives of Atlanta Season 16 Cast (Photo: Bravo)What Is Phaedra Parks’ Role in Season 16?
Bravo has confirmed that Phaedra will rejoin the cast later in the season, bringing her signature “sass and spice” at just the right moment.
Cynthia previously teased that her longtime friend delivers in her highly anticipated return. “It’s been a long time coming,” she told.
“Phaedra’s been away from the show for a while now, and I have to say she literally came in within, like, two and a half weeks left of filming and did something that’s never been done before in the history of Housewives.”
What Happened to Kenya Moore in Season 16?
Although Kenya initially appeared in the season 16 trailer and was originally part of the cast, she unexpectedly exited the series due to an alleged explicit photo scandal.
“Thank you for all the support #teamtwirl,” Kenya wrote via Instagram in June 2024 after the controversy. “My heart is full and my conscience is clean. So many false claims hiding behind anonymous sources. All this conversation and no facts being reported. If a claim or source was valid, would they need to hide?”
What Has the Cast Teased About RHOA Season 16?
While much of the season’s drama has been kept under wraps, Porsha previously hinted that she will be addressing her divorce from Simon Guobadia on the show.
“In my relationship with Simon, I felt like if I had him by my side, we would conquer anything,” she revealed during a confessional that aired at Bravo Fan Fest. “However, I started realizing a lot of different things that turned out to be untruths.”
Based on the season trailer, Porsha will also find herself discussing another ex. When rumors begin to swirl about Drew’s questionable partnership with Dennis McKinley, Porsha can’t help but press for answers.