Kenya Moore Says “RHOA” Season 5 Cast Went On Strike To Protest Alleged Preferential Treatment Shown To Kim Zolciak-Biermann, Leading To Porsha Williams Casting

Kenya Moore, Nene Leaks, Kandi Burruss, Phaedra Parks, Cynthia Bailey, Prosha Williams, Kim Zolciak-Biermann

Kenya Moore Says “RHOA” Season 5 Cast Went On Strike To Protest Alleged Preferential Treatment Shown To Kim Zolciak-Biermann, Leading To Porsha Williams Casting

The “Real Housewives of Atlanta” season 5 cast nearly missed out on the Porsha Williams dynamic.

Bravo star Kenya Moore recently revealed that ongoing tension between the starring cast members at the time inadvertently led to them bringing on Williams as an extra cast mate.

Kenya Moore

Kenya Moore dished about this while speaking to producer Carlos King recently. During the interview, Moore explained that the “RHOA” women banned together to protest the alleged special treatment shown to cast member Kim Zolciak-Biermann during season 5, which prompted a heated confrontation resulting in her leaving the set and temporarily halting filming. Subsequently, production allegedly re-opened casting despite having their 6 stars because they were uncertain Zolciak–Biermann would return following the dispute. She stated:

“They cast Porsha after Kim walked off because then it was like they didn’t know what was going to be happening with Kim, and so Porsha was the replacement housewife…no shade to Porsha,” 

Porsha Williams

And continued:

 “Remember the number of housewives they had I think at the time it was 6, they didn’t need 7…there’s never been 7 even to this day I don’t think they’ve ever had 7. So when she walked off, that opened up the casting again…and then Porsha came…that’s how that happened.” 

King went on inquire about the cast, which also included Nene Leakes, Kandi Burruss, Phaedra Parks, and Cynthia Bailey striking. Moore confirmed that the women refused to film for a week due to being upset about the favorable way Zolciak-Biermann was being treated. She continued:

“They banned [together]….which was a great thing because they came together, which I admire. They did not like the way Kim was receiving preferential treatment and they banned together and was like ‘we’re not going to work this week’.”

Moore added that between the uncertainty of Zolciak–Biermann returning and the women refusing to film, producers began to look at other things they could film in the meantime. The reality star says she was then called in to attend an event Williams was having, officially introducing her storyline to the show. While it doesn’t seem any of the other Housewives have spoken on the strike, Leakes has been very vocal about the alleged special treatment her former BFF was shown by Bravo. If you recall, the actress sued the network back in April of last year, alleging they fostered a racist work environment and blackballed her for speaking up on workplace issues.

In the suit, Leakes specifically named Zolciak-Biermann, and accused her of repeatedly making racist remarks that would go unpunished. Leakes alleged that Real Housewives producer Andy Cohen actually rewarded Zolciak-Biermann with spinoff series and opportunities to appear in network specials despite her submitting several complaints about her alleged racist actions. Prior to dropping the suit, Leakes reflected on her relationship with the network in an interview also held with King. She explained that despite thinking she was valued for the major part she played in making “RHOA” such a success, she came to realize that wasn’t truly the case, stating:

“I had a love and respect for them that I honestly don’t think they ever had for me….Unfortunately, I wasn’t experienced enough to know that… in a lot of these corporate places, they don’t love you. I mean, you’re here to work, and then they can throw you out the door any time they feel like it.”

It was rumored that Leakes and Cohen were in talks with each other to settle her discrimination lawsuit. However, the details of why she opted to drop the case have not been disclosed at this time.

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