NeNe Leakes Spotted Out In West Hollywood

Nene Leakes may have left Celebrity Apprentice in dramatic fashion on Sunday night’s show, but she showed no signs of hostility when she was snapped in West Hollywood just hours later.

The ever-dramatic Real Housewives of Atlanta cast member looked exceedingly chipper as the paps caught her chatting on the phone while out shopping West Hollywood.

Credit: Celebuzz (Wes Ferguson)

NeNe: Celebrity Apprentice Was 'Toxic' for Me

NeNe Leakes never had second thoughts about quitting Celebrity Apprentice. It all just got to be too much, she says.

"I don't regret it. I felt very good about it. I always do what my gut tells me to do," the Real Housewives of Atlanta star says in an interview airing Wednesday on The Ellen DeGeneres Show.

She adds: "I'm a grown woman, and nobody makes decisions for me. I make my own decisions. It was a toxic situation for me."

Particularly poisonous, of course, was her feud with Star Jones. In an episode two weeks ago, Leakes unloaded on Jones in front of a client, then walked off the show. She doesn't regret that either, but admits it didn't need to get that ugly.

"I needed to get it out," she says. "I wish I could have maybe had a different delivery, maybe better word choices, but I'm OK with it. I felt she deserved it. I know everybody in Hollywood knows I'm telling the truth [about Jones]."

Of course, things evened out this past week, when Donald Trump fired Jones. "When I said on the show yesterday that Star got fired, there were applauses in the audience," says DeGeneres. "People were thrilled that Star got fired."

To which Leakes replies: "Yeah, let's clap about it."

Credit: PEOPLE (Tim Nudd)

Friends Applaud NeNe For Quitting 'Apprentice'

With celebrities, respected journalists and interest groups lobbing the racist label at Donald Trump, friends of Nene Leakes tell Rob Shuter of Pop Eater that quitting Celebrity Apprentice in a shocking -- and low-rated -- episode on Sunday was a smart, principled move.

"Everything will ultimately work out for NeNe," a friend of the Real Housewives of Atlanta star tells him. "In the long run she was much better off to quit and walk away than get a job with Donald Trump."

It should be noted that each celebrity is playing to raise money for their charity rather than get a job within Trump's organization. It should also be noted that the Celebrity Apprentice you're seeing on Sundays was taped months ago, before The Donald's now-floundering bid for the White House and string of attacks on President Obama that many believe reek of racism.

CBS news anchor Bob Schieffer hit Donald recently after he raised doubts about President Obama's school grades. "That's just code for saying he got into law school because he's black," he said. "This is an ugly strain of racism that's running through this whole thing."

Jerry Seinfeld, Bill Cosby, Robert De Niro, Rosie O'Donnell and David Letterman have also spoken out.

The political advocacy group Color of Change has called on all black cast members to boycott the show and one fired "applicant" told Shuter that they would shun the finale if their contract didn't stipulate they had to be there.

On Monday morning, Donald appeared on FOX News to try and dispel the charges he's racist.

"I am the least racist person there is," he said. "And I think most people who know me would tell you that. I am the least racist, I've had great relationships."

NeNe's fellow 'Housewife' (well, from NYC) Ramona Singer isn't buying it.

"Well, anyone who makes a racist remark is showing their opinion and where their mind is at," Ramona tells him.

Credit: Pop Eater (Rob Shuter)

Atlanta Housewives Attend Fundraiser

Real Housewives of Atlanta cast member Kim Zolciak and Atlanta Falcons player Kroy Biermann, who are expecting a child soon, attended a fundraiser at the Twelve Hotel at Atlantic Station. Also pictured, Sheree Whitfield.

Credit: Access Atlanta (Jennifer Britt)

NeNe Leakes: Why I Quit Celebrity Apprentice

Real Housewives of Atlanta's NeNe Leakes made a quick getaway on Sunday's Celebrity Apprentice, but she didn't get to hear Donald Trump utter his famous phrase "you're fired!" Instead, the reality star bolted on her own accord, reasoning that the drama with foe Star Jones had pushed her over the edge.

During Sunday's episode, where teams were tasked with producing and selling tickets to a comedy show, Leakes, 41, left her team -- John Rich, Lil Jon and La Toya Jackson (who switched places with Meat Loaf at the start of the episode) -- high and dry without an explanation. Later, when her teammates couldn't reach Leakes, Trump decided to dial her up himself.

"I've never called anybody but I'm calling you because I think you have great ability," Trump, 64, told Leakes in a last-ditch effort to keep her around. "If you quit, it's going to follow you for the rest of your life. For you to quit at the end is stupid."

In the wake of her monumental blowout fight with Jones (as seen on the May 2 episode), Leakes remained confident in her decision to leave the series.

"I really feel that Star got her way," Leakes said after her conversation with Trump. "Mr. Trump bought into her bulls--t. I don't have to stay with BS to raise money for my charity. The best thing for me to do is leave."

Leakes' swift exit stunned her castmates, namely Rich, 37.

"Star ran her off and that's so amateur," the country crooner said after they confirmed she was gone for good. "I cant say I have a healthy amount of respect for that. You can't just abandon your team. She didn't even say goodbye to us!"

When Rich, Jackson and Lil Jon met with the opposing team -- Jones, Meat Loaf and Marlee Matlin -- Trump was even more fired up about Leakes. The billionaire businessman launched into an epic tirade about potential, and how Leakes' exit cost last week's eliminated contestant Hope Dworaczyk a chance to compete.

"The fact is she left, she quit, she gave up. To you, NeNe, I say, you're fired. And you're a quitter. And Star Jones kicked your ass whether you like it or not. Potential doesn't mean sh--. I've been hearing about potential all my life, but that usually [is said of people who are] not performing. We let go of Hope and we ultimately lost NeNe. That's fine. That's the way life is."

Credit: Us Magazine

NeNe Leakes: "I'm Not an Angry Woman"

Real Housewives of Atlanta star NeNe Leakes knows her larger than life personality can be polarizing. But according to the 43-year-old reality star, it's also served her well on Celebrity Apprentice.

"NeNe Leakes is fabulous, confident and she knows who the hell she is," the Bravo star tells the March 3 issue of Rolling Out. "NeNe Leakes is not an angry woman."

Leakes' critics -- and her pregnant Real Housewives costar Kim Zolciak, 32 -- may disagree.

"Some days I'm angry, and everybody is. I just happen to be on television and the camera captures me when I'm angry," Leakes counters. "Just imagine doing a reality show. What would they capture about you? They'd capture you on your period, pissed off, angry with your man, happy, going shopping. But they're only going to put in the things that are most interesting. I'm not an angry black woman; I'm actually a cool ass black woman."

The fiery reality star found a new foe in Star Jones on Celebrity Apprentice -- though Leakes is hesitant to share too many details from their on-camera scuffle.

"I had an experience with Star. I had never met her before. I believe that any woman who gets around Star will find that Star's not cool," Leakes says cryptically. "And when you watch Celebrity Apprentice, you will see some sides of her that are just not cool."

Unfortunately for Leakes, her spat with Jones, 48, was an indicator of further turmoil during her tenure on Celebrity Apprentice.

"It was a very hard show to do. We shot the show in literally 45 days," she griped. "The hours are bananas. You work six days a week, and you rise at 4 a.m. and you get in at midnight. The earliest was 10 p.m., but sometimes it was 1 a.m."

Though she's appeared on two different reality shows, Leakes insists she didn't set out to be a TV star.

"I work with a lot of people in the business who would much rather have fame over the money, and I'm a little bit different," she tells the mag. "Famous isn't anything that I'm trying to be. I'm just trying to work and have money."

Credit: Us Magazine

Andy Cohen: Miami Is the Last Stop on the Train

When Bravo launched the Real Housewives of Miami, it seemed like there was hope for a franchise in every city. However, Bravo’s Andy Cohen exclusively tells OK! that Miami is the last stop for the Housewives train. Last night, OK! talked to the host with the most as he helped celebrate MCC Theater’s 25th Anniversary in NYC. Andy sounded off on some of the most controversial housewives in seasons past and he even told OK! which franchise he would love to see Whitney Houston star in!

When asked about which city he would look to next to find more housewives, he told OK!, “I really feel like we’re done.” So is Miami the last stop on the Housewives train? Andy answered, “Yeah.”

But if any housewife thinks this is her chance to star in a spin-off series like Bethenny Frankel, she should think again. Andy explained of the other housewives, “I think they’re all good where they are.”

Even though he might think they should stay put in their hometowns, Andy had nothing but love for some of his favorite housewives. The king of Bravo used word association to describe the happy homemakers.

OK!: Camille Grammer

AC: Rich!

OK!: Teresa Giudice

AC: Strong!

OK!: Bethenny Frankel

AC: Hilarious!

OK!: Nene Leakes

AC: Bam!

Andy continued to gush about Miss Leakes, “She’s just in your face and fun!”

He then told OK! that he would also like to see Whitney Houston kick it with Nene and the gang on the Real Housewives of Atlanta. “I’d like to see her shake things up with those women.” Maybe she could team up with Kim Zolciak for “Tardy for the Party Part II”!

Credit: OK! Magazine (Evan Real)

Phaedra Parks Working On Book, Reality Shows

The Real Housewives of Atlanta's stand-out southern belle, Phaedra Parks tells Radar Online exclusively that she’s putting TV stardom aside for new next endeavor.

Atlanta’s power entertainment attorney is penning her first book and pitching three new reality shows.

“It’s about being a southern belle and all the accoutrements that go with it,” Pheadra tells Radar Online exclusively.

“It’s a modern day twist on etiquette and being a lady. And it’s alright for women to embrace their ladylike side.

“It’s high time that women start enjoying being ladies again. People have moved away from that.”

Phaedra, who’s never been shy about liking to dress over-the-top with her big hats and big makeup, wants to bring back traditions from days gone by like high tea, pretty frilly things, hats, gloves and “things that make you unique” – which she’ll highlight in the book, expected to hit shelves by the end of summer or early fall.

“I want to give my tips,” she says. “So many people over the years have asked me about how to have it all without losing yourself.”

Phaedra will also put on her producer’s hat to pitch three new “empowering” reality TV shows.

“I’m more into the uplifting programs.”

Phaedra hinted about what she hopes will make it to the small screen: “The first show is a docudrama and will take a group of women and empower them. The second show is more of a documentary that deals with serious issues of dating. And the third show is more fun and lighthearted focusing on alternative lifestyles.

“I’m all about girl-power.”

Credit: Radar Online

Miss Lawrence Washington Visits Us Magazine!

You can yack about "Tardy For The Party" all you want, but the undeniable real breakout star of the Real Housewives of Atlanta was not Kim Zolciak but Lawrence Washington. That's actually Miss Lawrence to you all now.

Yes, he started out on the series as Sheree Whitfield's flamboyant hairdresser, but it just took a little Pygmalion-esque tutelage from the show's resident R&B Rex Harrison, Kandi Burress, to transform him into this decade's answer to legendary disco devo Sylvester.

Aside from his debut hit from the show, "Closet Freak," a catchier gay anthem than Lady Gaga's "Born This Way" if you ask me, he's now moved on to a forthcoming LP, a slew of appearances and a regular slot on The Steve Harvey Show.

Burress defines his appeal to Us Magazine like this: "That boy can SANG! Besides that, I thought it was time for the world to again recognize talent without restrictions. There hasn't been an artist with such outrageous androgynous style since Boy George in the 80’s. I believe the time is right for Miss Lawrence."

We were lucky enough to lure Lawrence into our NYC office studio on February 25 to answer a few questions, belt out "Closet Freak" and the Donna Summer classic "Heaven Knows" a cappella - and impersonate the Housewives to a T.

Get in on the hot action above and visit misslawrence.com to keep up with the rising superstar.

Credit: Us Magazine

Kandi Burruss' Step Daughter Shot In The Head

Real Housewives of Atlanta cast member Kandi Burruss is going through yet another devastating situation with someone close to her.

This past Saturday night, Kandi's late ex-fiance's daughter, Asheley Jewell, was shot in the back of the head while she and her friends were riding in a car headed to pick up food. Asheley has two sisters, who are twins.

UPDATE: She is listed in critical condition as of 7:30AM, 3/9/11.

Credit: The YBF (Natasha)

Miss Lawrence Joins The Steve Harvey Project

Miss Lawrence Washington from the Real Housewives of Atlanta has joined the cast of BET’s Steve Harvey Project, airing Tuesdays and Thursdays 9/8 Central, on BET’s Centric Network

Miss Lawrence will host a segment titled "Spilling the Tea with Miss Lawrence" and provide reviews of the latest in celebrity news/music/entertainment, red carpet, and fashion/beauty critiques.

"I'm so excited about joining The Steve Harvey Project!! I've found the chemistry and talent between us to be really natural. I’ll be 'Spilling the Tea' on all the latest Who's-Who's, something Miss Lawrence loves to do! Talking music, entertainment, beauty and fashion is so me, Honey! They picked the right girl for this one, and it’s ALWAYS tastefully done!" says Miss Lawrence.

Lawrence Washington is the owner/operator of the successful Atlanta, Georgia based salon, Lawrence Washington Atlanta.

Credit: Monsters and Critics (April MacIntyre)

NeNe Celebrates Celebrity Apprentice In Vegas

To celebrate the season premiere of Donald Trump’s NBC television show, Celebrity Apprentice, NeNe Leakes partied Saturday night at Surrender Nightclub inside Encore Las Vegas.

Credit: Las Vegas Nightlife

NeNe Leakes No Longer An 'Atlanta Housewife'?

Has NeNe Leakes gotten too big for her Bravo britches?

An insider tells us Leakes' stint as a cast member of the Real Housewives of Atlanta may be coming to an end for a number of reasons - including her extra-grande ego.

The reality star, who shot to fame on the franchise along with "Tardy for the Party" singer Kim Zolciak and amateur designer Sheree Whitfield, has become best known for her catty comments and friendship with Bravo exec and television personality Andy Cohen.

But our insider tells us that Cohen's relationship with the housewife has become strained due to NeNe's "disrespectful" and "arrogant behavior."

The insider says Neakes' aggressive behavior toward Zolciak - one incident of which was depicted on the reality series - has prompted the network to reevaluate NeNe's position on the show.

At the end of season two, Leakes grabbed the aspiring singer by the throat. The two began season three by making up but had fallen out again by last month's finale.

Apparently, Zolciak is not the only one who wants nothing to do with Leakes. "She's alienated all of the women other than Cynthia [Bailey]," the source says. "So, as of now, the plan is to "phase" Leakes out within the first two to three episodes of season four, which begins in October.

A spokeswoman for Bravo has no comment.

Credit: NY Daily News' Gatecrasher

NeNe Leakes on Star Jones: She is Not ‘Loyal’

Real Housewives of Atlanta star Nene Leakes and former View host Star Jones are no strangers to drama, so when the two came together to star on the upcoming season of Celebrity Apprentice, it should come as a surprise that these two ladies didn’t exactly see eye to eye.

What exactly caused this drama? And what can we expect to see on this season of the hit NBC show? Nene spoke with Celebuzz to dish out all the dirt:

You clash a bit with Star Jones on this season of Celebrity Apprentice. Can you give us some inside scoop on that?
Well for weeks we were cool. What caused it is that I don’t think Star is a loyal person. I’m very loyal to those who are loyal to me. I understand we are playing a game. People are manipulative and strategic, but I don’t feel that you need to be that way when you’re playing for charity. She was backstabbing and manipulative and it really aggravated me so I called her on it in front of Trump.

Who did you get along with and get close to?
Star and I got along well for a long time, but I always felt she had this preconceived notion about me. I also heard that she didn’t really like reality stars. Some people left early so I didn’t get a chance to make a connection with them, but I thought all the girls were cool. Latoya [Jackson] has been the person I’ve talked to the most. We clash on the show because of Star but we both confronted her. Towards the end, everyone starts to get aggressive, but all the girls are cool.

What’s it like being there with Latoya Jackson?
I’ve never been a star struck person. I respect her family and the things that they’ve done in the entertainment industry, but that’s their thing. I met her and introduced myself. I saw another side of Latoya that people don’t know. I talk to her the most out of everybody. She’s really cool.

You’ve been working on your brand and your business. Are you now looking to expand? What’s next?
A lot of opportunities have been presented to me. I’m not sure which way to go in yet, but one of my goals is to host. I’d love to do something like Chelsea Lately where we can laugh a bit and then move to the couch and have an interview. I’m also very interested in shoes and handbags too, so I have a few things to think about.

Credit: Celebuzz (Amanda Hasaka)

NeNe Leakes' Interview With "Rolling Out"

When Rolling Out scheduled an all-day photo shoot with Real Housewives of Atlanta and Celebrity Apprentice star NeNe Leakes, we were already prepared to expect the unexpected.

Never one to shy away from a juicy conversation, Leakes opened up about life, love and even whether she was wearing any panties. 

So check out this special sneak peek below, and be sure to read her no-holds-barred interview in the March 3 edition of Rolling Out.

Credit: Rolling Out