Nene Leakes

As an original cast member of The Real Housewives of Atlanta, Nene Leakes redefined what it meant to be a reality TV star. Her wit, presence, and unmatched charisma catapulted her to pop culture icon status. Yet, behind the viral catchphrases and meme-worthy moments lies a complex story of exploitation and stereotyping.

Leakes’ portrayal often fell victim to what Black feminist theorist Patricia Hill Collins calls a “controlling image”—in this case, the Sapphire stereotype. Audiences were repeatedly shown a version of Nene that emphasized conflict, aggression, and volatility, regardless of context or provocation.

Her on-screen persona shaped how fans, producers, and media outlets engaged with her in public and private spaces. This digital distortion culminated in Leakes filing a lawsuit against Bravo for creating a racially hostile work environment.

Despite the network’s editing, Leakes built a brand beyond the screen—appearing in Glee, The New Normal, and on Broadway. Her entrepreneurial resilience exposes the dissonance between how networks profit from Black women and how they fail to protect them.