'Real Housewives of Atlanta' Reunion Was all About NeNe's Benjamins

Bravo

It couldn’t be clearer that The Real Housewives of Atlanta have morphed into a set of women whose only real connection is that they’re on the same show. The cast members barely feel like acquaintances these days, let alone people who should be part of the same social circle. In fact, this season seemed as if it was an endless stream of events, parties and other celebrations to get these women to interact with each other – cough, Africa trip.

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On the reunion, conversation was less about trying to iron out their relationship wrinkles than it was about disproving each other’s financial claims. And the most focus was on NeNe Leakes’ declaration of wealth.

“I’m rich” was NeNe’s constant mantra this past season and defined the way she acted toward the women during the reunion. She may not admit it, but there’s clearly an air of arrogance about her in the post-Celebrity Apprentice and Glee world that she’s living in. And while she may deny that money has changed her, there is a disconnect between the woman who proudly admits she was a stripper in her 20s and then can’t stomach being in the same room with Kandi Burruss’ new sex toy line.

Kim Zolciak made a couple good points in regard to NeNe’s wealth. First, rich people don’t have to continually say they’re rich. And second, Kandi is probably the wealthiest of the bunch with her song royalties, clothing shop, Kandi Koated Nights talk franchise and the ability to translate her idea of a sex toy line into actual products.

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Sheree Whitfield was also able to get NeNe to change her tune about “cashing Trump checks” when she brought up that Piers Morgan, the 2008 Celebrity Apprentice champ, revealed that he was paid about $25,000 to appear on the show. Even if NeNe was paid double that for appearing on the show, that isn’t exactly grounds for calling oneself rich.

The hour wasn't totally lost on discussing each other’s money (or lack thereof). As far as relationships, there was some really interesting discussion between Sheree and Phaedra Parks regarding their brief and ultimately botched legal partnership when Sheree’s ex-husband, Bob Whitfield, sued her for modification of child support payments. OK, that's falls under money too.

Phaedra can say anything she wants about Sheree’s misunderstanding of the legal system. But when Bob (a former football player representing himself) filed an unexpected motion in court, the look of bewilderment on Phaedra’s face was clear. She was blindsided and really stumbled in the moments that followed. And then there was Sheree’s admission that she believed that Phaedra sat on filing her own motion in the case until the cameras could capture her doing so. That was enlightening, especially when Sheree tearfully said that it was her real life that was at stake and she believed that Phaedra was milking it for the show.

What was your take on the first part of the reunion? Sound off in the comments section below.

The Real Housewives of Atlanta: Reunion Part 2 airs Thursday at 9 p.m. on Bravo.

Email: Jethro.Nededog@thr.com; Twitter: @TheRealJethro