Why Phaedra Parks Was Hesitant to Return to 'RHOA' Before Season 16 (EXCLUSIVE)

Over the years, The Real Housewives of Atlanta has introduced viewers to more than a dozen different women who lead luxurious lives and who know how to start drama in social settings. Several stars have managed to make impressions that have lasted long after they left the show. One of them is Ms. Southern Belle herself, Phaedra Parks.

Though Phaedra made her mark during her six-season run on the Bravo series, her time as a full-time star ended when she was fired from RHOA in 2017.

In the years since, many fans have wondered if she would ever come back. Now, in 2024, Phaedra has confirmed she's reclaiming her peach.

The decision came after she spoke exclusively with Distractify about her RHOA future.

RHOA fans should prepare to break out their best "mmm hmms" because Phaedra is officially back for Season 16. The attorney confirmed her return on July 29, 2024, by posing on a jet runway while holding a peach.

"You called, I answered," Phaedra captioned the photo on Instagram.

Bravo's social media accounts also shared the announcement. The news was something fans wondered would come to fruition after Phaedra's frenemy, Kenya Moore, left the series after being suspended during filming for Season 16.

Kenya was benched for allegedly sharing explicit photos of Brit Eady, who is part of the Season 16 cast. There were also rumblings that the former Miss USA threatened Brit with a gun, but People reported it was a rumor.

Phaedra will be joined by the "frick" to her "frack," Porsha Williams. Porsha announced her return to the show in February 2024, shortly before filing for divorce from her second husband, Simon Guobadia.

Phaedra's return also came after Kandi Burruss shared she wasn't returning to RHOA after a 14-year run as a full-time housewife.

Fans recall Kandi profusely stated she wouldn't return to the show if Phaedra was on after her former friend accused her of trying to drug and sexually assault Porsha.

In the years since Phaedra handed back her peach, many fans have expressed their desire to see the attorney back on the show. Her one-liners were unparalleled during her confessional scenes, and some viewers have felt that the series hasn't been the same since she left.

Phaedra's friendships with many Atlanta stars, including OG Sheree Whitfield, who is rumored to return after being fired in Season 15, and Shamea Morton, made her an easy choice to come back. However, she wasn't convinced it was a perfect fit.

Though some Housewives miss the spotlight once they leave their respective series, Phaedra told Distractify in June 2022 that she's enjoyed her time away from the intense filming environment.

"It's just been refreshing, being able to just live without being under the scrutiny of being on the Atlanta franchise," she explained. "I have truly, truly loved my time being away from them."

When Phaedra dismissed being on RHOA, she found a new home on Season 2 of Peacock's The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip. She starred in the Ex-Wives Club with Eva Marcille, Jill Zarin, Brandi Glanville, Taylor Armstrong, Tamra Judge, Vicki Gunvalson, and Dorinda Medley. She also, in her words, began "moonlighting" on the first season of The Real Housewives of Dubai. The reality star said that RHODubai is a better fit for her now.

"I'm moonlighting with the Housewives of Dubai," Phaedra responded when asked if she would come back to RHOA. "That is way more fabulous to me. I really enjoy decadence and women in that income bracket. I was more suited for Dubai."

The Bravolebrity's time on RHUGT and Dubai resulted in her adding more projects to her resume. In November 2023, she starred in Season 10 of Married to Medicine, followed by Season 2 of The Traitors in 2024.

Both shows gave fans the Phaedra they missed, and M2M star Dr. Heavenly Kimes said on X, formerly Twitter, that Phaedra would return to their show as well, though that has yet to be confirmed by her or Bravo.

StreamThe Real Housewives of Atlanta on Peacock.