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The Ultimate Guide To RHOA Season 16: Cast Shocks, Divorce Dramas, And The Return Of The OGs

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The Real Housewives of Atlanta (RHOA) is back with its most significant cast shake-up in franchise history, promising a dramatic and fresh season for 2025. As of December 23, 2025, the buzz surrounding the upcoming Season 16 is at an all-time high, fueled by the shocking departure of a veteran Housewife and the highly anticipated return of two fan favorites. Get ready for a new era of Atlanta royalty, where new millionaires and returning Southern belles clash in a quest for the ultimate peach.

The new installment, set to premiere in March 2025, is poised to redefine the show, focusing on new relationship dynamics, high-stakes business ventures, and the complex aftermath of headline-making divorces. From the return of a controversial attorney to a celebrity chef facing legal battles, this season is proof that in Atlanta, the drama is always served hot.

The New RHOA Season 16 Cast: Complete Biography Profiles (2025 Update)

The cast for the highly anticipated Season 16 sees a mix of returning veterans, a promoted 'friend of,' and three brand-new faces, creating a dynamic ensemble with diverse backgrounds in law, music, culinary arts, and real estate. This is the lineup that is set to carry the torch following the exits of long-time stars Kandi Burruss and Kenya Moore.

  • Porsha Williams
    • Full Name: Porsha Dyanne Williams
    • Born: June 22, 1981 (Age 44 in 2025)
    • Occupation: Television Personality, Actress, Activist, Singer, Author (The Pursuit of Porsha).
    • Current Storyline: Her triumphant return to RHOA coincides with her second high-profile divorce, which is expected to be a major focus of the season. She is reclaiming her narrative and navigating life as a single mother and businesswoman.
  • Phaedra Parks
    • Full Name: Phaedra C. Parks
    • Born: October 25, 1973 (Age 52 in 2025)
    • Occupation: Entertainment Attorney, Mortician, Author, Reality TV Star.
    • Current Storyline: Parks makes her official return to the franchise after a six-season hiatus. Her re-entry into the group, particularly in a season where she is rumored to be replacing the recently departed Kenya Moore, is one of the most talked-about events of the season. Her return episode is confirmed for May 25, 2025.
  • Drew Sidora
    • Full Name: Drew Sidora Jordan
    • Occupation: Actress, Singer, Entrepreneur.
    • Current Storyline: Continues to navigate her tumultuous divorce from Ralph Pittman. The season is expected to delve deep into the financial complexities of their separation, including the details of their shared LLC and the unique "nesting" living arrangement where Ralph is reportedly living in the lower level of their home.
  • Kelli Ferrell
    • Full Name: Kelli Ferrell
    • Occupation: Celebrity Chef, Restaurateur, Culinary Author.
    • Business: Owner of the highly acclaimed Nana's Chicken & Waffles, which recently opened a second location in Sandy Springs.
    • Current Storyline: The self-proclaimed “Queen of Waffles” is bringing her culinary empire and family life to the show. Her drama involves a recent lawsuit filed in December 2025 by her ex-husband, Mark, seeking modifications to their child support and custody agreement, which will likely play out on screen.
  • Angela Oakley
    • Full Name: Angela Oakley
    • Occupation: Real Estate Mogul, Entrepreneur, Tax Preparation Company Owner.
    • Business: Founder of Right Now Tax Services.
    • Current Storyline: A self-made millionaire and Chi-Town native, Angela is related to NBA legend Charles Oakley. Her storyline focuses on her successful business ventures and her no-nonsense approach to life and wealth.
  • Brit Eady
    • Full Name: Brittany Eady
    • Occupation: Entrepreneur, Insurance Expert, Model.
    • Current Storyline: Brit Eady joins the cast as a successful businesswoman and devoted wife to Michael Cunningham. Her Bravo bio emphasizes her thriving entrepreneurial spirit and her passion for living her best life, offering a glimpse into the opulent side of Atlanta’s elite.
  • Shamea Morton Mwangi
    • Full Name: Shamea Morton Mwangi
    • Occupation: Radio Personality, Host, Philanthropist.
    • Current Storyline: After years as a "Friend of the Housewives," Shamea has finally earned her peach. Her storyline with her Kenyan-native husband, Gerald Mwangi, is expected to center on their family life and their plans to expand their family, possibly using the same surrogate who carried their first child.

The Shocking Exits and Triumphant Returns That Reshaped RHOA

The landscape of The Real Housewives of Atlanta has been dramatically altered by the biggest casting changes in recent memory. The exits of two franchise pillars, Kandi Burruss and Kenya Moore, have opened the door for a seismic shift in the group's dynamic, paving the way for the Season 16 reboot. This is a crucial moment for the show, as it attempts to maintain its topical authority while injecting fresh, new energy.

Kandi Burruss's Farewell After 14 Seasons

The biggest news heading into the new season is the departure of Kandi Burruss, the longest-running Housewife in the entire Bravo franchise. After 14 seasons as a full-time cast member, the mogul announced she was stepping away, citing a desire to focus on her numerous other business ventures and creative projects. Burruss, known for her successful music career (including her time with Xscape) and her restaurant empire (Old Lady Gang), left on good terms with the network, but her absence leaves a massive void in the cast. Her decision was reportedly driven by feeling "in a routine" and a need for a new challenge, a sentiment many fans and critics understood given her lengthy tenure.

The Prodigal Peaches: Porsha and Phaedra Are Back

To offset the loss of Kandi, Bravo made the strategic decision to bring back two of the most popular, and most controversial, former Housewives: Porsha Williams and Phaedra Parks. Porsha's return is particularly timely, as she is navigating a highly publicized second divorce, giving her a built-in, raw, and authentic storyline. Phaedra Parks' return is a full-circle moment, coming back after her dramatic Season 9 exit. Her presence is guaranteed to stir up old tensions and create new ones, especially as she steps back into the Atlanta social scene. The combination of these two "OGs" with the new cast members is a calculated risk by the network to restore the high-drama, high-stakes energy that RHOA is famous for.

Upcoming Storylines: Divorce, Custody Battles, and New Empires

Season 16 is not short on explosive personal storylines, with the theme of separation, fresh starts, and legal battles dominating the narrative. The cast is set to deliver on the "real" in Real Housewives by sharing their most vulnerable, and most contentious, moments.

  • The Sidora-Pittman "Nesting" Arrangement: Drew Sidora’s divorce from Ralph Pittman is taking an unusual turn, with the two attempting a "nesting" arrangement where they live in the same house but in separate spaces. This dynamic, and the ongoing legal battles over their shared finances (the Drew Sidora LLC), will be a central and highly scrutinized part of the season.
  • Kelli Ferrell's Custody Drama: Newcomer Kelli Ferrell, who is expanding her Nana's Chicken & Waffles empire, is simultaneously fighting a public battle with her ex-husband, Mark, who filed a lawsuit in December 2025 seeking to update their child support and custody agreement. This real-time legal drama will expose the high-pressure life of a successful businesswoman and mother of four.
  • Porsha's Reclaiming Her Narrative: Following her recent divorce, Porsha Williams is focused on her personal and professional rebirth. Her return is about more than just reality TV; it's about showcasing her strength and independence, a powerful message for her fans. Rumors of a new relationship have also been swirling following her appearance at Culture Con 2025, adding another layer of curiosity to her storyline.
  • The New Atlanta Moguls: The addition of self-made millionaires like real estate mogul Angela Oakley and entrepreneur Brit Eady will shift the focus to the new faces of success in the city. Their storylines will explore the challenges of managing wealth, large-scale businesses, and the Atlanta social hierarchy. Angela Oakley's tax preparation company, Right Now Tax Services, and Brit Eady's finance-related career will provide a backdrop of high-stakes business dealings.

With a premiere date in March 2025, The Real Housewives of Atlanta Season 16 is poised to be a dramatic and essential watch. The fresh cast, the return of the OGs, and the deeply personal, current-day drama ensures that the Atlanta peaches will be the most talked-about fruit on television.

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