NeNe Leakes says goodbye to 'Real Housewives of Atlanta'

LOS ANGELES (AP) — NeNe Leakes is moving on from "The Real Housewives of Atlanta."

Jun 30, 2015

LOS ANGELES (AP) — NeNe Leakes is moving on from “The Real Housewives of Atlanta.”

The Bravo channel said that Leakes won’t return for the reality show’s eighth season this fall. She’s been with the series about the lives of women in Atlanta since it began in 2008.

In an Instagram post Monday, Leakes called the show an “amazing platform,” adding that she’s decided to step out, in her words, “on faith and not fear.”

This is so hard for me to type! I cry as I do so! I am so Grateful for all the love and laughs! Thank you so much to everyone that has watched and supported me over the years on this amazing platform! With lots of thoughts and prayer I've decided to step out on faith and not fear? #nomoRHOA4me

A photo posted by NeNe Leakes (@neneleakes) on Jun 29, 2015 at 5:06pm PDT

Andy Cohen, executive producer of the “Real Housewives” franchise, tweeted that Leakes is a “Real Housewife forever” and is always welcome back.

The 48-year-old Leakes parlayed her reality TV fame into an appearance on “Celebrity Apprentice,” roles on shows including “Glee” and “The New Normal,” and a fashion collection.