(Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)

Looks like America’s (or at least Bravo’s) favorite housewife just lost a storyline. NeNe Leakes’ much talked about role on The New Normal has come to an end. NBC recently dropped the show due to low ratings. So what’s next for reality television’s biggest success story?

Leakes’ IMDb profile gives no hints of future work outside of her current gigs on Bravo and The New Normal creator Ryan Murphy’s hit show Glee. That’s not to say the outlook on NeNe’s career is bleak. Far from it.

According to OK! Magazine, Leakes is the highest paid housewife in Bravo’s history, grabbing a $1 million paycheck (plus bonuses) to appear on season 6 of Real Housewives of Atlanta. It’s unclear whether this figure includes her salary for her upcoming spinoff, I Dream of NeNe, chronicling her wedding with ex-husband Gregg Leakes. And Glee is set for two more seasons, though the scope of NeNe’s role in the series is unclear.

NeNe joined Housewives to advance her acting career. She’s succeeding in using the show as a launching pad. She is seen as the queen bee of the show’s revolving cast of women and a template for other reality stars to follow. But can she make her success last, or is she destined to be a pop culture footnote?

Ryan Murphy, whom she calls her fairy godmother, has been her sole co-sign in Hollywood. Her work with him is the only time we see NeNe not playing herself. And let’s be honest, even when she’s reciting a script, she’s still being sassy, neck-rolling NeNe.

NeNe’s one-note performances aren’t necessarily a weakness. You don’t have to be Viola Davis to have a successful acting career. Character actresses, performers who specialize in playing eccentric or unusual people rather than leading roles, are paying their rent every month. Shout out to Rosie Perez, Jenifer Lewis, and Loretta DeVine.

Love her or hate her, NeNe Leakes is an entertainer. Now is the time for her to prove she can hold her own without famous fans giving her gigs. Leakes is at a crossroads and there are a few roads she can take:

1. Tyler Perry Avenue. Outside Madea’s Christmas slated for the end of this year, Mr. Perry has been hanging up the dress in favor of giving other actresses a chance to bring boisterous characters to the screen. Atlanta is small. I’m sure NeNe can bring up her open schedule over cocktails. Or ask best buddy Kim Kardashian for his number.
2. Black Rom-Com Way. From Baggage Claim to The Best Man reboot, black romantic comedies are making a comeback. Ms. Leakes would fit right in as the mother-in-law, aunty, or sassy coworker. These things write themselves.
3. BET Boulevard. The cable network is surely feeling confident from successes in scripted television like Real House Husbands of Hollywood and The Game. NeNe might even be able to land her own show.
4. Token Drive. It’s 2013 and every network show needs a Black character, the sassier the better. NeNe’s proven more than once she can hold her own in an ensemble cast.

NeNe has a large fan base, sufficient talent, and enough star quality to keep pushing her acting career forward if she chooses. What do you think Ms. Leakes next move should be? Should she keep her house in Hollywood or stick to reality?

—

C. Cleveland covers professional development topics and entrepreneurial rebels who blaze their own career paths. She explores these stories and more on The Red Read, Twitter (@CleveInTheCity) and Facebook (/MyReadIsRed).

Image Source: WENN.com

Well, this is actually a bit of a surprise.

As she continues to make her mark in Hollywood, Nene Leakes has hit a bit of a stumbling block: NBC has decided to cancel The New Normal after just once season. Nene has been part of the cast from the beginning.

This does come as a bit of a shock because not only had it received critical and fan acclaim, it wasn’t doing horribly in terms of ratings. The Huffington Post reports that while ratings did consistently drop, they maintained about 3.39 million viewers. Yes, it debuted to more than six million viewers but new shows almost always hit highs and lows.

Leakes played Rocky Rhoades, a former production assistant of one of the main characters, as well as all her family members when they popped up on the show.

While she is most likely very disappointed, Nene kept it very professional by tweeting:

Twitter

That’s right Nene, say all the right things because we know she’s a hustler and her next opportunity might be right around the corner.

For now, she still has her recurring role as “Coach Roz” on Fox’s Glee which has been renewed for another two seasons. We don’ t know if her character will be around that long but she can ride it until the wheels fall off. Plus, we know she isn’t going anywhere as HWIC (Head Wife In Charge) on Real Housewives of Atlanta.

Good luck to Nene and the entire cast as they make their next moves!

After coming home from a long day of work sometimes all you want is to plop down on the couch and find something good to watch on TV. Well thank goodness prime time TV is booming with shows that intrigue us and actors and actresses that look like us. With acting that leaves you thirsting for more and silently cursing yourself if you’re away and failed to DVR the latest episode, these celebs are well worth your undivided attention.

“WENN”

Kerry Washington

Kerry Washington plays fierce crisis manager Olivia Pope in the political drama-series Scandal. As a former White House Communications Director for the president, it is difficult for her to shed her past – which includes a secret, steamy affair with President Fitzgerald. Washington’s character has a tight-knit relationship with each member of her new firm, having helped them with problems in their past – but it’s Pope who is ultimately struggling to deal with her own personal crisis.

Source: WENN

The fabulous Nene Leakes made a rather humorous appearance on The Price Is Right’s Celebrity Week. The show cleverly pulled its questions from past episodes of “Real Housewives of Atlanta”, “Celebrity Apprentice” and even gossip headlines, which made for a hilarious four minute cameo.

Host Drew Carey warmed the reality star up by first quizzing her on the cost of a brand new, one of a kind, blue alligator Birkin bag. If you recall from previous seasons of “Real Housewives of Atlanta”, Nene’s millionaire boo John loved showering with lavish gifts like Louboutin shoes and Birkin bags. That didn’t appear to have helped her out though, as her guess was almost $60,000 off from the actual price, which was $82,500.

“Wooo, the was insane.I have a couple, but I don’t one for 87. Jesus,” Nene reacted to the actual price of the bag.

The next item that Nene was asked to estimate the price of was “a custom-made blonde wig.”

“You’ve had your hands full of a wig like this in the past,” the show’s announcer joked before a photo of Nene’s former co-star Kim Zolciak appeared on the screen.

Nene, of course didn’t know the price of the wig either. While she estimated that it was $2,000, the price was actually $12,000.

“See, that’s why I don’t wear wigs,” she responded.

The show also played on those rumors that Nene allegedly had her Bentley repossessed, and asked her what a brand new Bentley Continental GTC would cost. Ironically, this was the only item that Nene guessed the correct price for. She also used the opportunity to address those repossession rumors.

“Let me just set the record straight. I have never owned a Bentley. I’ve never even driven one. It is not even my dream car, so let’s set that record straight. My dream car is a Range Rove and I drive it everyday.”

It’s difficult not to love her willingness to poke fun at herself… and others.

Check the next page for footage of Nene on The Price Is Right.

Credit: Shutterstock

From  HelloBeautiful

I broke off my affair with violent reality TV shows early last year. I had gotten enough of what seemed to be angry women having a hate fest, yelling at each other, throwing glasses, exchanging bows and calling themselves wives when they had never been married. “The Real Housewives of Atlanta” was one of the shows on my hit list as I vowed to never watch it again.

For one, it just didn’t interest me like it did the rest of America. Secondly, NeNe Leakes’ attitude alone turned me all the way off. She came across as too much of a braggart for my liking, she appeared angry for no legit reason and to this day, I believe she was a bit jealous of Kim. She was loud, rude and although it was obvious a very charismatic and likeable side existed, it seemed too deeply buried under all of her burdensome bitterness.

Read more at HelloBeautiful.com.

Shutterstock

From The Grio

NeNe Leakes has been able to successfully parlay her notoriety as a reality star into a serious acting career.  The Real Housewives of Atlanta cast member currently appears in NBC’s breakout scripted comedy The New Normal.

The show is about a blended family of a gay couple and woman who serves as their surrogate as they attempt to have a child. NeNe stars as Rocky, the assistant to one of the gay men. The New Normal is headed up by Ryan Murphy, who also is the creator and executive producer of Glee, where NeNe made her debut as a TV actress just earlier this year.

Read more at The Grio

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Vogue – Norman Jean Roy

Who said reality stars can never make the A-list? Whoever said that hasn’t seen the accomplishments of “Real Housewives of Atlanta” star, NeNe Leakes, who has slowly but surely morphed infamy from her tongue-lashing time on the show to the opportunity to do other reality shows (“The Apprentice”), start businesses, and become an actual respected actress. If you thought her showing up on “Glee” was interesting, homegirl is a regular cast member on the successful new NBC comedy, “The New Normal.” She plays Rocky, the assistant to Bryan, one half of the gay couple hoping to adopt. Coincidentally, “The New Normal” is created by the same man behind “Glee,” Ryan Murphy, so he’s clearly a big fan of NeNe to make her a regular on his new show. Recently, the series was featured in the newest issue of Vogue, and the magazine didn’t pull a Taraji on NeNe, as she was invited to strike a pose with her cast mates. She looks pretty great too in her Stella McCartney dress and Giuseppe Zanotti shoes. WORK!

Leakes seemed to be very excited about the shoot too, as she previewed a picture of the spread with herself and Ellen Barkin via Twitter:

“Check me out n the October issue of Vogue wit my “New Normal” cast! That’s my girl @EllenBarkin did I say Vogue?”

Yes, boo, you did say Vogue. Let’s keep it really real. This is a big feat for a reality star, as aside from Jennifer Hudson (who was on a reality TV competition and was featured as a cover girl), I haven’t seen too many other reality chicks featured in the magazine. Hell, Kim K hasn’t been anywhere near the magazine’s cover, spreads or ads since she blew up, so this is kind of like a big deal. It’s safe to say that NeNe has been very smart about her business and is moving up the ranks in Hollywood. People have been talking in think this should be her last season on “Real Housewives of Atlanta.” Enjoy the photo and let us know your thoughts on whether or not NeNe should chuck the deuces to reality TV for good now that’s she’s somewhat of a serious actress.

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Source: WENN

Okay, that headline was a bit of a tease. Nene Leakes isn’t going anywhere — yet — but she plans to, soon. It’s no secret the “Real Housewife of Atlanta” owes her mega success to Bravo TV and Andy Cohen, but now that her acting career is taking off, she’s not to keen on sitting around and arguing with grown women all day for the sake of “good TV.” In an interview Nene recently did with the NY Post, it sounds like season 5 may be her last as a housewife. Here’s a bit of the interview:

Q: As your acting career gains traction, do you slowly want to get away from reality?

A: At some point I do. I love the acting world. So at some point. . . I can’t continue to be a Housewife. At some point, I have to back out.

Q: How much does “The New Normal” challenge your acting range. Do you get to mostly be funny?

A: There is a lot of drama with me. Like you didn’t know that!

Q: Have there been opportunities you have missed because of your reputation from “Real Housewives”?

A: Probably. I don’t know that for sure. Just the thought of me being a “Housewife,” they would probably say “Hmmm. We may not want to use her.” Just the whole persona of being a Housewife. The cattiness and the bitchiness and the fighting. People see you as that is who you are.

Q: If they did an all-star “Housewives” edition, who would you like to see on it?

A: I would probably do me, Bethenny, I like Jill Zarin even though she’s not there. I think she is everything of New York City. Her accent and everything is just great. I would probably grab Gretchen [Rossi] from “Orange County,” Teresa from “New Jersey,” and we could work it out.

Speaking of Bethany Frankel, Nene told the Post she wants to be the next version of her — except instead of skinny martinis, her empire would be built on a talk show.

 “I would keep it real for the whole hour!,” she said. “Whatever the topic is, I feel I could talk about anything. Politics, men, money, shoes . . . anything. I wouldn’t want to do a ‘Maury Povich’ show. Baby daddy! Who’s your daddy? Who’s your mama? I wouldn’t want to do that kind of show.”

Whatever show she decides on, Nene’s insists she’s already received some offers to make it happen.

“It’s just a matter of time,” she said. “I am here now, because I am supposed to be here. And I guess when it is my time to cross over there, I will be over there. I am not religious, but I am spiritual, honey. My day is coming!”

Do you think you’d prefer Nene, the housewife, or Nene, the daytime talk show host?

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Source: talkingwithtami.com

Earlier this year, NeNe Leakes said she was going to make the “hottest shoes 4 Shoedazzle“. This weekend, the Real Housewife of Atlanta unveiled the “Nethia” shoe for the online shoes, apparel, and accessories ecommerce site.

According to her Twitter page, the launch party was in Atlanta this past Saturday and sponsored by Grey Goose. Her fellow cast members: Cynthia Bailey, Kandi Burruss and Phaedra Parks were there to support (as well as rumored RHOA additions: Kenya Moore and Porsha Stewart).

The caged, lace bootie  is part of Shoedazzle ’s Celebrity Shoe Design Program for Charity. The company’s new “give back by giving in” program includes shoes designed by celebrities such as LaLa Anthony and Denise Richards.

StraightfromtheA.com says

100% of the profits from the sale of the “Nethia” will be donated to Saving Our Daughters, an organization that “creates the tools to get teen girls discussing key issues and take the power away from bullying, date abuse, hate crimes, school, violence, violence against women, and other esteem slayers”

If you’re unfamiliar with ShoeDazzle, it started out as a subscription mail order service. Customers would take a survey about their style and then, based on that, every month ShoeDazzle would create a personalized selection of shoes, handbags and jewelry curated by co-founder Kim Kardashian. Recently, they ditched the famed subscription model in favor of just selling everything on the site for $39.95 and they’re also adding lingerie and dresses.

So, unlike Lebron fans who have to shell out a whopping $300 for a pair of tennis shoes, NeNe’s fans only need 40 bucks and 100% of that money goes toward a great cause.

This shoe launch comes on the heels (pun fully intended) of a glowing profile the Wall Street Journal published about the “sassy, fashion forward, grandma” last week.

In the piece called “A Real Housewife Lands an Outside Gig”, the largest newspaper in the US called NeNe a “snarky quote machine” and talks about her new gig on “The New Normal”. Apparently, it’s difficult for those who find fame under their own names to then get work as fictional characters.

According to WSJ, Ryan Murphy, who co-created “The New Normal” and first cast her as a recurring guest on his hit series “Glee”, initially saw NeNe on Celebrity Apprentice when she quit Donald Trump’s “Celebrity Apprentice” midshow after getting hostile with fellow contestant Star Jones.

Watching this on TV, Mr. Murphy saw a commanding performance and called Ms. Leakes directly. She says she didn’t know who the producer was, so she ignored him until her manager found out and urged her to return the calls.

She is likely to reprise her role as a hotheaded athletic coach on “Glee” this season. Mr. Murphy offered her the part on “New Normal” via text message.

NeNe said in her memoir that she always wanted to be a “famous actress” and WSJ reports that a year and a half ago, she took on a new manager, Steven Grossman. He told the newspaper that, to boost her crossover appeal they set out to shift the perception of her from “bitchy and mean” to “sassy and confident.”

Looks like that manager was worth his wages. NeNe continues to win no matter what.

Is she paving a path for other reality stars hoping to transition into acting? The WSJ isn’t raising any hopes:

It’s unlikely that her leap into network roles will open the door for other reality TV stars to follow. “A lot of them want to be famous actors; very few people have the talent. NeNe has an exceptional personality,” says Shari Levine, Bravo’s senior vice president of production.

With that exceptional personality comes exceptional success for NeNe.

What do you think of NeNe’s shoe? Are you surprised WSJ had such great things to say about her?

 Follow Alissa on Twitter @AlissaInPink

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Source: blogs.bet.com

Another day. Another boycott.

This time, it’s NeNe Leakes upcoming show “The New Normal” that’s on the receiving end of the protests. The comedy was created by “Glee” executive producer Ryan Murphy. It’s about a single mother who agrees to be a surrogate for a gay couple hoping to start a family of their own. To be fair, it’s not NeNe Leakes show, but she does have a major role as an assistant to one of the gay guys.

Predictably, the conservative group “One Million Moms” is protesting the show. On their website, in a post titled “The New Normal – Not Normal” the group is calling for a boycott:

NBC’s website describes the program as: “These days, families come in all forms – single dads, double moms, sperm donors, egg donors, one-night-stand donors… It’s 2012 and anything goes. Bryan and David are a Los Angeles couple and they have it all. Well, almost. With successful careers and a committed and loving partnership, the one thing missing is a baby.”

NBC is using public airwaves to continue to subject families to the decay of morals and values, and the sanctity of marriage in attempting to redefine marriage. These things are harmful to our society, and this program is damaging to our culture.

OMM is prepared to contact any and all sponsors of this program if it is aired. It is proven this strategy works! It was not too long ago that NBC announced “The Playboy Club” was canceled after only three episodes because of lack of advertisers!

Millions of Americans strongly believe that marriage should be between one man and one woman. NBC’s “The New Normal” is attempting to desensitize America and our children. It is the opposite of how families are designed and created. You cannot recreate the biological wheel.

In the past, One Million Moms has protested The Playboy Club; Good Christian Beyotches; Skins, Ellen DeGeneres and JC Penney; Oreo cookies; DC and Marvel Comics and Urban Outfitters. Some of their campaigns have been more successful than others.

Jennifer Salke, President of NBC Entertainment responded to the criticism calling the show a “love letter to families”:

“The title isn’t meant to push the idea that that’s a more normal family than everyone else,” she said. “It’s just meant to open up, to bring a family show to the public that we feel captures the zeitgeist of what’s going on in the country right now and being inclusive and you know, as [Ryan Murphy] would say, the normal family isn’t a gay family, it’s just a different family and I think we all see that all around us every day.”

Georgia’s grandmother is portrayed by Ellen Barkin, and the Nana character spouts racist and homophobic remarks throughout the premiere episode. In fact, Ellen’s Nana character, will address some views of some audience members, Salke suggested.

“You do get some irreverent comedy from the Nana character, who is brilliantly portrayed… and she is exploring… an extreme side of the audience that [has] different attitudes about that family,” she said. “But the bottom line is, the three episodes that I’ve read, they’re all exploring story lines that come from any of those six characters and they all kind of come back to this very warm sort of relatable, heartfelt place, and it’s about responsible parenting, changing your lifestyle once you start having children, pursuing your dreams and what it will take to get there, from everyone’s point of view.”

Though it’s not her fault in this case, it seems wherever NeNe Leakes goes controversy is not far behind. If this show is cancelled, she will still have “Glee” and “Real Housewives of Atlanta” (if rumors of her being kicked off the show turn out to be false). Of course, RHOA will undoubtedly spark a boycott of its own if the castmembers get into a fight on-camera this season. Here’s hoping that doesn’t happen!

The New Normal, featuring NeNe Leakes, is set to premiere on September 11 at 9:30pm.

What do you think of this controversy? 

Follow Alissa on Twitter @AlissaInPink

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