‘RHOA’ Cast News: NeNe Leakes NOT Fired; Season 8 Return Confirmed?

Word has it that NeNe Leakes might have been a little less than truthful when she recently announced on Twitter that she was going to be leaving Bravo's Real Housewives of Atlanta after 7-years with the TV show. According to the latest gossip news updates, there is still a better than average chance that the Glee queen bee will still be popping up her and there in Season 8 as a part-time cast member, if the powers that be can come up with a popper amount of money to make it worth her while.

For the first time since its inception Bravo's Real Housewives of Atlanta won't feature NeNe Leakes as a full-time cast member when the show returns in the fall.

NeNe announced via Twitter that after all the years they spent together it wasn't easy, but she was going to have to finally move on from the TV show that first made her famous:

"This is so hard for me to type! I cry as I do so!

"After seven seasons I have decided not to return to #RHOA."

In an interview with People magazine, however, NeNe was already starting to seem a little more callous about her decision to leave - noting sarcastically that the show may not be able to make it without the fans loyally tuning in every week to see how she's fairing against the haters:

"The fans are going to gag!

"I definitely don't want to let them down, but I feel very free.

"I don't know if the show will survive without me... hope so. ... It will just have a little bit of a different tone without me there, for sure."

According to TMZ latest report, however, Leakes' fans might not be forced to go through NeNe withdraw cold turkey right away, as she most likely will still be dropping by while the Housewives are filming from time to time:

"NeNe is open to a part-time role on RHOA, again if the money is right and it fits with her sitcom schedule.

"Bravo is absolutely interested, and the negotiations will begin soon."

What do you think? Can the show survive without NeNe Leakes there to keep the hungriest ladies in line? Or should Bravo just close up shop and move on to a new town?

Let us know in the comment field below.