NeNe Leakes Biography
NeNe Leakes is a well-known American television personality, actress, presenter, author, and fashion designer. She gained fame for her standout roles on The Real Housewives of Atlanta and the Fox comedy-drama series Glee. NeNe is particularly recognized for her recurring character, Roz Washington, on Glee, as well as for being an original cast member on The Real Housewives of Atlanta, where she made her mark over ten seasons from 2008 to 2015 and then again from 2017 to 2020.
NeNe Leakes Career
She is an actress, presenter, businesswoman, author, and fashion designer from the United States. She is best known for her recurring character, Roz Washington, on the Fox comedy-drama series Glee. She was born in Queens, New York, and raised in Athens, Georgia. She is best known for her ten seasons as an original cast member on the reality television series The Real Housewives of Atlanta (2008-15, 2017-20) . Leakes also had a series regular role as Rocky Rhoades on the NBC sitcom The New Normal until it was canceled in 2013. She appeared on The Celebrity Apprentice on NBC and Dancing with the Stars on ABC. In 2014, she made her Broadway debut as Madame in Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella, and in 2015, she featured in Chicago as Matron “Mama” Morton.
She appeared on ABC’s reboot of the 1950s game program To Tell the Truth as a frequent panelist. Leakes had a clothing brand on Home Shopping Network before opening her SWAGG stores in select cities across the country, in addition to her television undertakings. Leakes had already been on TV shows including The Parkers after meeting casting director Robi Reed-Humes before meeting the creators of The Real Housewives of Atlanta. She had a small part as a stripper in the film The Fighting Temptations, starring Cuba Gooding, Jr. and Beyoncé, in 2003. However, none of her scenes are included in the film’s final cut.
Leakes made her first appearance as an original cast member on The Real Housewives of Atlanta in 2008. She and Denene Millner co-wrote the book Never Make the Same Mistake Twice after the first season. For the first seven seasons, Leakes was a main cast member. Leakes revealed in June 2015 that she would not be returning for the eighth season of The Real Housewives of Atlanta. Leakes, on the other hand, appeared in a supporting role on season 8 of The Real Housewives of Atlanta, apparently getting her full salary from the previous seven seasons. For the tenth through twelfth seasons, Leakes returned to the show as a full-time housewife. Leakes announced her departure from The Real Housewives of Atlanta in 2020.
Leakes has also made the leap to scripted television, starring as Rocky Roades, a secretary in the NBC sitcom The New Normal. In the third season of Ryan Murphy’s show Glee, Leakes played synchronized swimmer and Olympic bronze medalist Coach Roz Washington in a recurring role. Leakes appeared on the eleventh season of Donald Trump’s NBC show Celebrity Apprentice in 2011. After an incident with fellow cast member Star Jones on the eleventh episode of Celebrity Apprentice, Leakes walked off the set.
Leakes has participated in Betty White’s Off Their Rockers and The Price Is Right, as well as guest hosting Anderson Live and The Talk. She was revealed as one of the celebrities competing in the 18th season of Dancing with the Stars on March 4, 2014.
In Las Vegas, Leakes portrayed the Mistress of Sensuality in Cirque du Soleil: Zumanity, a resident show. On November 25, 2014, she made her Broadway debut as Madame in Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella. She stayed in the role until January 3, 2015, when the show ended. She was cast as Matron “Mama” Morton in Chicago on Broadway for four weeks in November 2015. In April 2020, Leakes released a song called “Come and Get This Hunni.”
NeNe Leakes Entertainment, a television production firm, was formed by Leakes. Along with True Entertainment, the firm produced Leakes’ spin-off series I Dream of NeNe: The Wedding, which premiered on September 17, 2013.
Leakes revealed in February 2014 that she would be launching a clothing line later that year. Leakes debuted the Nene Leakes Collection on the Home Shopping Network on July 28, 2014. (HSN). Leakes stated in March 2016 that she would be touring the United States in a one-woman comedy tour dubbed “So Nasty, So Rude,” after one of her catchphrases. The tour began in April, and many of the dates were sold out.
In November 2017, Leakes established the first SWAGG Boutique in Duluth, Georgia, which closed in August 2020. SWAGG Boutique was soon expanded to the MGM National Harbor in Maryland and to Miami Beach, both of which are still open and operational.
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Leakes announced on Instagram in October 2020 that she would be launching a lounge in Duluth, Georgia. In May 2021, the Linnethia Lounge, named after Leakes’ maiden name, opened. Keke Wyatt and Tamar Braxton, among others, have made appearances and played concerts.
NeNe Leakes Age
How old is NeNe? Leakes is 58 years old as of 2026. She was born Linnethia Monique “NeNe” Leakes on 13 December 1967 in Queens, New York, United States. She celebrates her birthday on the 13th of December every year.
NeNe Leakes Education
Leakes attended her senior year of high school. she later earned a bachelor’s degree from a public US state institution after graduating from high school.
NeNe Leakes Nationality | Ethnicity
What ethnicity is Leakes? she belongs to the mixed ethnicity/heritage, NeNe was born in Queens, New York, United States and she holds African American nationality.
NeNe Leakes Height
She stands at a height of 5 Foot 7 Inches and weighs 65kg.
NeNe Leakes Family | Parents
Monique Johnson was born in Queens in the city of New York. She was one of five siblings of her parents, together with one of her brothers were transferred to live with an aunt in Athens, Georgia, while her mother raised the other three children.
NeNe Leakes Husband | Married
NeNe Leakes was married to her husband, Gregg Leakes, but they went their separate ways in 2010, officially finalizing their divorce on September 29, 2011. Despite this, love found a way back into their lives, and they announced their engagement in January 2013.
The couple happily remarried on June 22, 2013. In June 2018, NeNe revealed that Gregg had been diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer, but by May 2019, he received the wonderful news that he was cancer-free. Tragically, in June 2021, she shared that the cancer had returned, and he was in the hospital recovering from surgery. Sadly, Gregg Leakes passed away from colon cancer on September 1, 2021, at the age of 66.
NeNe Leakes Wedding
NeNe and Gregg remarried on June 22, 2013, at the InterContinental Buckhead Hotel in Atlanta. Bravo filmed their wedding planning and ceremony for a spin-off entitled I Dream of NeNe: The Wedding.
Nene Leakes TV Shows
Nene Leakes has carved out a vibrant career in entertainment that spans reality TV, sitcoms, competition shows, and even stage productions. She first caught the public’s eye on The Real Housewives of Atlanta and has since branched out into acting and hosting.
1. The Real Housewives of Atlanta
This Bravo reality series catapulted Nene into the spotlight. As one of the original cast members from the very first season, she made a lasting impression with her bold personality and unforgettable confrontations, solidifying her status as one of the franchise’s most iconic figures.
2. Glee
In Glee, Nene took on the role of Roz Washington, the swimming coach at McKinley High School. This part allowed her to reach a broader audience beyond reality TV and showcased her talent in a scripted comedy-drama setting.
3. The New Normal
Nene starred as Rocky Rhoades in this NBC sitcom, which centered around a couple navigating the journey of starting a family through surrogacy. This role marked a significant step for Nene as she embraced a recurring scripted television character.
4. The Celebrity Apprentice
Nene took on the challenge of competing in this celebrity business competition series, where contestants tackled fundraising and business tasks. Her participation brought her vibrant personality into a whole new television arena.
5. Dancing with the Stars
In 2014, Nene showcased her dance moves alongside professional dancer Tony Dovolani. The duo made it to the seventh week of the competition before facing elimination.
6. The Real
Nene also graced the daytime talk show as a guest co-host, where she engaged in lively discussions about entertainment, relationships, and everyday life with the regular panel.
Beyond these shows, Nene has made appearances on To Tell the Truth, Anderson Live, and The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip. She has also dazzled audiences on Broadway in productions like Cinderella and Chicago, further broadening her career beyond the small screen.
As Nene continues to seek out new opportunities in entertainment, her legacy remains deeply intertwined with reality TV, unforgettable memes, acting roles, and her unapologetically bold personality.
Nene Leakes Plastic Surgery
Nene Leakes’ journey with plastic surgery and her beauty transformations have certainly caught the eye of fans throughout her time on television. Many viewers have often pointed out the noticeable changes in her facial features, especially her nose, cheeks, and the overall shape of her face.
Nene has been open about undergoing cosmetic procedures, including a rhinoplasty. However, it’s important to remember that not every alteration in her look is solely due to surgery; factors like makeup, lighting, styling, and the natural process of aging can all play a role in how someone appears on screen.
Her changing appearance has sparked plenty of chatter on social media, with fans eagerly sharing before-and-after photos and weighing in on her beauty decisions. Nene continues to be a key figure in discussions about celebrity cosmetic enhancements and the pressures that come with maintaining a certain public image.
Who Is Nene Leakes Dating?
As of October 2026, Nene Leakes is in a relationship with Nyonisela Sioh, an international fashion designer and the creative mind behind Nyoni Couture. The two have had a bit of a rollercoaster romance, reportedly dating on and off for several years. Nene opened up about their relationship during her time on The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip: Roaring 20th.
Before Nyonisela, Nene was married to Gregg Leakes, tying the knot in 1997. They went through a divorce in 2011 but found their way back to each other and remarried in 2013. Sadly, Gregg passed away in September 2021 after a courageous fight against colon cancer.
Nene started dating Sioh and made their relationship public in 2021. While their love story has had its share of ups and downs, Nene has shared that she’s still open to the idea of marriage if she meets the right person.
Nene Leakes Son
Nene Leakes, who rose to fame on The Real Housewives of Atlanta, is a proud mom of two sons: Bryson Bryant and Brentt Leakes. Bryson is from her previous relationship, while Brentt is the son she had with her late husband, Gregg Leakes.
Nene has opened up from time to time about the ups and downs of motherhood, juggling the responsibilities of raising her boys alongside her busy career in entertainment. Her family life often captures the interest of fans who keep up with her reality TV journey and social media posts.
NeNe Leakes Children
NeNe is a loving mother to two amazing children, Bryson Rashard Bryant, Brentt Leakes.
NeNe Leakes Salary
How much does she earn? She has an estimated earning of $1 million per year.
NeNe Leakes Net Worth
Leakes has an estimated net worth of $14 Million which she has earned through being a television personality, actress, presenter, author, and fashion designer.
