This Weeks Star Spotlight focuses on actress and reality TV star Linnethia Monique Leakes, born December
13, 1967 in Queens New York.
Although her birth name is Linnethia, the world knows her as the most valuable, most controversial most
talked about housewife, NeNe Leakes from The Real Housewives of Atlanta. The Housewives franchise in
the words of NeNe has made her “very rich honey” and she has no problem reading you if you beg to
differ. Talk about starting from the bottom now we here, NeNe Leakes has revealed to us a very painful
and very misguided past.
We learned on the Second Part of the Real Housewives of Atlanta reunion show which aired this past
Sunday night that NeNe is one of five children that her mother couldn’t take care of. As a result, she was
sent along with her brother to Athens Georgia to be raised by her aunt. The memories and thoughts of
being sent away and feeling abandoned by her mother is precisely the reason why she behaves in such
a callous, mean and vindictive way with some of her other cast mates. After being the victim of a six year
abusive relationship where she felt like she had no control, she was forced to make some very hard
decisions. One of those decisions was working in a strip club to support herself and her son. The Silver
Lining is - it’s the same strip club where she met her ever so supportive, devoted and loyal husband Greg
Leakes.
From the stripper pole to Broadway, NeNe Leakes has overcome challenges in the face of adversity,
abandonment and desperation. Owning her decisions and living in her raw and uncut truth - good, bad
ugly or indifferent makes me respect NeNe and her willingness to want and do better. This story is so
admirable to me because it’s the self-made, unexpected, much desired come up. It’s the layers of an
onion being peeled back; it’s the successful resume and extensive training which has brought upon the
glory days.
Remarkable how a little girl who was broken and struggled with abandonment issues most of her life has
managed to become a contestant on Celebrity Apprentice, land a reoccurring role on Glee, competed
on Dancing with the Stars and graced Broadway as Cinderella’s wicked stepmother. It sends the
message that anything is possible when you’re dedicated and focused. Your past isn’t always the
blueprint to your future; it’s merely just a window to picture better days.
NeNe represents hope and transformation in a world that just seems so unkind. We’ve watched her for
seven seasons destroy friendships and transform into a mean girl with no filter so it warmed America’s
heart to see her breakdown and be so vulnerable in front of all the other fellow housewives. It was indeed
a long awaited breakthrough.
With a net worth of 12 million, a staple in communities across the globe and an infinite fan base, we salute
NeNe Leakes in all her continued success and future endeavors. She’s done her good work and I’m sure it
will continue on for years to come.
On behalf of myself and the Humor Mill Magazine we thank NeNe Leakes for her dramatic character roles
and unforgettable appearances. We hope to see a lot more NeNe and a lot less of Nae Nae.