Cynthia Bailey CallsRHOAReturn 'Amazing,' Says Latecomer Phaedra Parks 'Definitely Did Her Thing' in Season 16

Mar. 15, 2025

Cynthia Bailey (left) and Phaedra Parks.Photo:Amy Sussman/Getty; Rich Polk/Bravo/Getty

Amy Sussman/Getty; Rich Polk/Bravo/Getty

Phaedra Parks' return toThe Real Housewives of Atlantawill be juicer than the peach she’s holding!At theTwo Ts in a Podlive podcast event on Nov. 1,Cynthia Baileywas reflecting on her own “amazing” return to the hit Bravo show when she teased what fans can expect to see in the upcoming season.“I feel likeAtlantawas No. 1 for so long and I felt like we slid down,” she began. “We were not where I think we should’ve been. It was fun to get back with the girls… there’s something to be said about bringing in some fresh blood and some of the old girls as well.“Cynthia Bailey.Amy Sussman/GettyBailey shared how impressed she was with Parks' return. She revealed that theTraitorsstar had joined the cast for the last two weeks of filming and blew everyone out of the water.“She was on another Bravo show calledMarried 2 Medicine,” the Bravolebrity said of Parks. “She got the call and was like ‘I’m outta here!’ It was just amazing because I’ve never seen in the history of the show — with any franchise — a housewife, or past housewife, whatever you want to call it, come back with literally two weeks left and come back as a full housewife with a full red peach in her hand.“Before Parks' return, the show had been “anchored” aroundPorsha Williamsand her storyline.Phaedra Parks.Disney/Eric McCandless"I know she comes with us for our last international trip,” Bailey continued, adding that she wasn’t sure how producers would weave her into the season. “We got a lot done. I will say Phaedra definitely did her thing in the two weeks that she had. The season finale… this is her season.“Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.In July, Parks first revealed thatshe was returningfor the upcoming 16th season. And while fans long wanted her to come back to the series that made her a household name, she told PEOPLE was waiting for the right time.“They called and I answered,” she explained in an August interview. “We were the No. 1 franchise ofHousewivesand I was a part of making that franchise a successful franchise. And I would love to bring the franchise come back to its heyday.“Parks went on to explain that she was excited to reunite with Williams on the show, who coincidentally also returned toRHOAthis season after a brief absence.“Of course, I love Porsha,” Parks said. “We are the original frick and frack.”

Phaedra Parks' return toThe Real Housewives of Atlantawill be juicer than the peach she’s holding!

At theTwo Ts in a Podlive podcast event on Nov. 1,Cynthia Baileywas reflecting on her own “amazing” return to the hit Bravo show when she teased what fans can expect to see in the upcoming season.

“I feel likeAtlantawas No. 1 for so long and I felt like we slid down,” she began. “We were not where I think we should’ve been. It was fun to get back with the girls… there’s something to be said about bringing in some fresh blood and some of the old girls as well.”

Cynthia Bailey.Amy Sussman/Getty

Amy Sussman/Getty

Bailey shared how impressed she was with Parks' return. She revealed that theTraitorsstar had joined the cast for the last two weeks of filming and blew everyone out of the water.

“She was on another Bravo show calledMarried 2 Medicine,” the Bravolebrity said of Parks. “She got the call and was like ‘I’m outta here!’ It was just amazing because I’ve never seen in the history of the show — with any franchise — a housewife, or past housewife, whatever you want to call it, come back with literally two weeks left and come back as a full housewife with a full red peach in her hand.”

Before Parks' return, the show had been “anchored” aroundPorsha Williamsand her storyline.

Phaedra Parks.Disney/Eric McCandless

Disney/Eric McCandless

“I know she comes with us for our last international trip,” Bailey continued, adding that she wasn’t sure how producers would weave her into the season. “We got a lot done. I will say Phaedra definitely did her thing in the two weeks that she had. The season finale… this is her season.”

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

In July, Parks first revealed thatshe was returningfor the upcoming 16th season. And while fans long wanted her to come back to the series that made her a household name, she told PEOPLE was waiting for the right time.

“They called and I answered,” she explained in an August interview. “We were the No. 1 franchise ofHousewivesand I was a part of making that franchise a successful franchise. And I would love to bring the franchise come back to its heyday.”

Parks went on to explain that she was excited to reunite with Williams on the show, who coincidentally also returned toRHOAthis season after a brief absence.

“Of course, I love Porsha,” Parks said. “We are the original frick and frack.”

source: people.com