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The Actual Housewives of Atlanta season 16 premiere hit our screens on Sunday evening with an surprising sense of calm. Given the backstage chaos and drama surrounding the present over the previous 12 months, followers had been possible anticipating extra fireworks. However as an alternative, we received a clean, nearly routine episode—aside from one evident omission: Kenya Moore.
The episode introduces new faces alongside acquainted ones, together with the return of RHOA veterans Porsha Williams and Cynthia Bailey. However whereas each make their grand entrance into the season, solely Porsha is given a coveted peach within the opening credit, alongside Drew Sidora and Shamea Morton, who’s now been promoted from “good friend of” to full-time forged member.
The highlight is on Morton as she bridges the hole between the unique RHOA stars and the newer forged members, Brit Eady, Angela Oakley, and Kelli Ferrell. It doesn’t take lengthy for the drama to floor, significantly when the dialog turns to Porsha’s divorce from Simon Guobadia. Newcomer Eady doesn’t maintain again, questioning how Porsha might steal her soon-to-be-ex-husband from Falynn Pina, a former RHOA forged member.
Later within the episode, Eady makes a comment about her upgraded engagement ring, which ends up in a tense alternate with Kenya Moore. When Eady says her new ring is a “step up” from her first one, Kenya responds with a sarcastic remark, suggesting that Eady ought to deal with her personal relationship, given her personal divorce and marriage standing. It’s a second that units the tone for the remainder of the episode—and offers us a glimpse of the sharp wit we all know Kenya for.
However what’s extra fascinating is how Kenya Moore’s absence looms massive all through the premiere. Whereas RHOA followers know her as one of many present’s central figures, Kenya’s presence has been noticeably lowered in season 16. She was even edited out of many scenes. On social media, Kenya wasn’t shy about calling consideration to it, posting a photograph of herself trending on X (previously Twitter) and writing, “After they attempt to erase however are THE ONLY one trending.”
Followers and insiders alike have speculated in regards to the cause behind her lowered airtime. Moore was suspended and later fired from the present final June after an incident throughout filming at her Kenya Moore Hair Spa in Atlanta. It concerned sexually express posters of fellow forged member Brit Eady, which led to quite a lot of drama each on and off digicam. Initially, Moore denied accusations of revenge porn, however later admitted to her mistake throughout a Tamron Corridor Present interview, acknowledging that the images had been “distasteful” and saying she would deal with issues otherwise if given a second probability.
The drama doesn’t cease there. In a later scene at Shamea Morton’s party, Moore is launched to the brand new forged whereas tensions proceed to rise. When the dialog turns to relationship statuses—who’s married, who’s divorced—Kenya tries to make clear Eady’s ring scenario, asking if she’s engaged or married. It’s a refined jab, however one which hints at extra underlying battle between the ladies.
Whereas Bravo has but to verify whether or not the altercation that led to Kenya’s exit shall be proven on TV, the entire scenario stays a thriller. There are conflicting stories in regards to the fallout: one supply claims Moore was defending herself and her daughter Brooklyn from verbal threats made by Eady, whereas one other denies the existence of any weapons or bodily threats.
No matter how the season unfolds, one factor is evident: Kenya Moore is aware of preserve the drama going—even when she’s not within the highlight. Whereas RHOA followers could also be questioning about her absence, Moore is letting the viewers know precisely the place the motion is.
