“Actual Housewives of Atlanta” star NeNe Leakes is undoubtedly essentially the most notable breakout star of the Bravo franchise. With extra memes and memorable one-liners than maybe anybody else, Leakes has solidified herself as one of the vital iconic actuality stars of all time. Even along with her success, which has led her to scripted TV exhibits and Broadway phases, the “RHOA” OG says a substantial quantity of it’s owed to the LGBTQ+ group.

Whereas spending the night time out at The Abbey, a West Hollywood homosexual staple, Leakes spoke with Gayety about her profession, together with the viral memes and clips from the sooner seasons of the present which have gone on to change into trending sounds on TikTok and Instagram Reels.

“It’s loopy to me,” the mom of two stated. “Individuals are nonetheless saying white fridge. Individuals are nonetheless saying, ‘Ooh, little one, the ghetto.’ I’m speaking about years later, and so they’re nonetheless saying this type of stuff.”

“The Actual Housewives of Atlanta” premiered in 2008, and Leakes cannot consider her presence on the present was so impactful that persons are nonetheless having fun with moments filmed nearly 20 years in the past.

“It means lots,” she stated. “Which means I’m an icon and I’m legendary, honey. She’s by no means forgotten.”

Whereas talking with Gayety, Leakes additionally mirrored on the immense quantity of help she’s obtained from the LGBTQ+ group. “It means the world to me,” the “New Regular” star added.

“With out the homosexual group, I’m not so certain that every one of those memes and sayings would have gone so far as they did. The gays had been those taking it there. They had been snapping and ‘Sure, Ms. Nene!’ They had been taking it there.”

As Leakes continued, she theorized that her profession may not be on the degree it’s as we speak with out the help of the LGBTQ+ group. “They’ve been considered one of my largest supporters,” she stated.

Leakes has spoken overtly about her love for her queer followers since changing into a family title. In 2015, she talked to HuffPost concerning the homosexual group and why she connects with them on a deeper degree.

“I’ve all the time liked supporting the LGBT group. I grew up with a few homosexual guys. In addition to loving the gays personally myself, I really feel like they affect all the pieces, from nail polish to excessive heels to lip gloss to all the pieces you possibly can consider,” she stated. “I’ve been a supporter of the LGBT group for a really, very very long time, and tonight is another excuse for me to exit and help. I all the time take part in homosexual delight. If I can exit and present up, I all the time do.”

Leakes’ help of the queer group has been referred to as into query by some, nevertheless, particularly after her podcast episode with TS Madison, a outstanding trans activist, went viral in the summertime of 2025.

In the course of the episode, Leakes and Madison had an intense back-and-forth dialog over males who date trans ladies. When Madison declared she would not date “homosexual males,” Leakes stated, “If you guys be saying that, that is actual bizarre, as a result of what do you imply you do not date homosexual males? As a result of if he is sleeping with you and sleeping with a lady, he is one thing.”

Madison pushed again, informing Leakes that loads of males, together with those that are pansexual (people drawn to folks no matter intercourse or gender), are desirous about trans ladies.

Leakes replied, “I do not need to run into them, I do not need to date him. I want you to love Hiya Kitty, on a regular basis.”