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NeNe Leakes opens up about new spin-off show 'I Dream Of NeNe’

The former real housewife of Atlanta dishes on why she decided to come back to TV with her very own reality show.

By VERONICA LINARES, UPI.com
Television personality and pageant judge NeNe Leakes. UPI/David Becker
Television personality and pageant judge NeNe Leakes. UPI/David Becker | License Photo

NeNe Leakes decided to come back to television so that fans could watch her get back together with estranged husband Gregg.

"Bravo approached me several times about doing a spin-off, I was the first Atlanta housewife they offered a spin-off too, but I never said yes because I felt like it was a lot of work. Then Gregg and I got engaged last year and they approached us last year about a wedding special. I said I would do a two-hour special," Leakes told Entertainment Weekly.

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Asked what prompted her to say yes this time, the reality star explained she did it for her husband.

"Gregg and I had broken up on 'Housewives' and the viewers saw that, so we wanted to show those viewers us getting back together. But it was a hard decision," she said. "I had just come off doing 'The New Normal' and 'Glee,' so I was exhausted by the idea of going right into shooting this show. Plus, you get judged so much being on a reality show. Especially since we're talking about our marriage and our kids. We decided that we'd take the leap of faith and I'm glad we did."

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The former "RHOA" star went on to say that being on reality television was both "a blessing and a curse."

"It's a blessing because reality TV has opened up so many doors and opportunities for me, but it's a curse because I neglect my husband and my children while I'm working so hard," she explained. "Plus it breaks up friendships and marriages."

"You also have so many people trying to come into your life because people think they know reality stars. I really need to take a step back from a lot of things and a lot of people right now to re-center myself," she continued. "I have girlfriends that I love and try to walk to the door, but I can't walk them through the door of opportunity. So many of them feel like if I don't shoot with them one time, then I'm not their friend or I'm not cool. I mean, I can shoot with them a million times, but if I don't shoot with them the one time they want, I'm backstabbing them. It can be a lot to deal with."

But it isn't all bad, Leakes explained that being on reality TV had been key in helping her jump-start her career in the entertainment business.

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"Ryan Murphy, my fairy godmother, he has given me these jobs. He wrote these characters for me, so I didn't have to audition for 'Glee' or 'The New Normal,' so I haven't felt that struggle yet," she added.

"I Dream of NeNe: The Wedding," which premiered September 17, chronicles Leakes's reconciliation with her husband and the planning of their wedding in addition to a few flashback clips to "RHOA" season one, which took place in 2008. Regarding what its like watching herself five years later, Leakes said she feels like she's come a long way.

"It's amazing to think about how far I've come. My wedding is one of the great moments in my life and I'm so glad we have them saved forever," she said.

"I Dream of NeNe" airs Tuesdays at 9 p.m. on Bravo.

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