The ‘Real Housewives of Atlanta’ alum weighed in on Moore’s controversial departure from the Bravo show
Charles Sykes/Bravo/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images (2) Nene Leakes; Kenya Moore
Nene Leakes says Kenya Moore’s exit from The Real Housewives of Atlanta didn’t come as a surprise to her.
In a new interview with E! News published on Friday, July 12, the Bravo alum, 56, shared her thoughts after the former Miss USA winner departed the Bravo show following an alleged explicit photo scandal.
“I don’t know if I was surprised. I know that, over the years, Kenya has always pushed the envelope a little bit,” Leaks told the outlet.
Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic; Gregg DeGuire/WireImage Kenya Moore; NeNe Leakes
The Outrageous Love with NeNe Leakes star was an original cast member when RHOA premiered in 2008. She left before the 13th season in 2020.
Moore joined during the show’s fifth season in 2012.
“Listen, those girls do a lot of things,” Leakes added. “I don’t think I’m surprised at all.”
Though the beauty queen and the Apprentice alum have had their past issues, Leaks said she and Moore — as well as current RHOA stars Drew Sidora and Porsha Williams, and fellow alums Phaedra Parks, Shereé Whitfield and Marlo Hampton — have been on good terms for a while.
“We’re not talking every day,” Leaks continued, “but when we see each other, there’s no beef. There’s no hard feelings. Actually we laugh about it.”
Rich Polk/Bravo via Getty
Kenya Moore, November 2023
Moore’s exit came after she unveiled explicit posters of new RHOA cast member Brittany Eady at the grand opening of her new Kenya Moore Hair Spa, PEOPLE confirmed. Cameras were rolling at the time.
An insider previously told PEOPLE that Moore was retaliating after Eady allegedly threatened her costar using the word “gun.” However, a separate source close to the show’s production team refuted those claims.
An investigation was launched by Bravo to look into the incident. The results, sources say, are what led to Moore’s exit.
After news of her exit was announced, Moore addressed the situation via social media.
“My heart is full and my conscience is clear,” Moore wrote on Instagram. “My life is blessed. My daughter and I will continue to thrive in a non-toxic environment where we feel appreciated and most importantly, protected.”
“Thank you God for covering us 🙏🏾,” she added, writing in her Instagram Story: “You can try to destroy a legacy, but you will never destroy a Queen.”
She added that the rumors are “1000% untrue.”
Greg Endries/Bravo via Getty
Kenya Moore and Kandi Burruss, October 2022
And Leaks hasn’t been the only RHOA talent to weigh in on the situation.
During a June Amazon Live, Kandi Burruss told fans she wasn’t present for the incident, but felt like Moore’s departure was “the end of an era,” adding that the news made her feel “sad.”
The XScape singer, 48, who chose not to return for season 16, continued: “I’m not lying about how I feel because she is my friend, I do love her. I do not know the other young lady so it’s not a diss to her.”
PEOPLE did not immediately hear back from Moore’s reps.