Over its thirteen seasons, The Real Housewives Of Atlanta has featured a cast of engaging characters that have kept viewers tuning in time and time again. Full of iconic scenes and heaps of drama, RHOA has made a name for itself as the most-watched series in the Real Housewives franchise and this is in no small part thanks to the personalities and antics of the housewives, including NeNe Leakes, Porsha Williams, and Shamari DeVoe.
After over a decade on the air, the housewives have given fans deceit, catastrophic arguments, and star-studded friendships, and, in each of the seasons, there’s one cast member that stands out as the best. Whether they’re delivering funny lines or amusing schemes the ladies provide plenty of entertainment value to fans.
Season 1: NeNe Leakes
NeNe Leakes is known for her honest, brutal tell-it how-it-is approach, and this refreshing (and entertaining) attitude, has made her a fan favorite. Her time on RHOA began in season 1, as fans watched her go from housewife to entrepreneur.
Fans have seen NeNe try her hand as an actress, business owner, and even a Broadway star, and this is exactly why the fans loved watching her journey, particularly in season 1. In the inaugural RHOA season, NeNe was the stand-out star of the show thanks to her humor, honesty, and class.
Season 2: Kandi Burruss
Kandi Burruss joined RHOA in season 2 and has been a regular since. She has garnered great support from fans and has even had some of her own Real Housewives spin-off shows, such as The Kandi Factory. Kandi is known for her down-to-earth attitude, which makes her all the more relatable to fans, but even she lost her temper in the pillow fight breakout in season 2.
During this season, fans also loved it when Kandi refused to apologize to NeNe, showing she wasn’t going to be walked over and earning her the title of fan-favorite in season 2.
Season 3: Phaedra Parks
Phaedra Parks joined the cast of RHOA in season 3, and she provided some stellar entertainment. However, she was ultimately fired from RHOA in 2017 after appearing on screen in seasons 3-9. Phaedra was accused of spreading malicious and quite serious lies, which ultimately caused her downfall.
Up to that point, however, fans loved her for stirring the pot and entwining the cast in arguments. She was crowned the queen of series 3 because of lines like “She looked like a pretzel dipped in cottage cheese.”. Phaedra wasn’t known for mincing her words, and she had a habit of making people wince, but these often harsh remarks are what kept the fans watching, albeit through gritted teeth.
Season 4: Cynthia Bailey
Cynthia Bailey joined RHOA in season 3, but it was during season 4 that she started to come into her own. She isn’t known for being the most argumentative or dramatic housewife, but she is very good at delivering looks that convey her upset and disappointment.
Cynthia is a fan favorite in season 4 because she inspired fans to follow their hopes and dreams. Cynthia wanted to open up her own modeling agency and when she was met with resistance, she stood her ground and put the work into action. She taught fans to never give up and that’s why she’s the top housewife of season 4.
Season 5: Porsha Williams
Season 5 saw the rise of Porsha Williams. She started off as a shy housewife, but soon transformed into someone not to mess with. She handled many issues on the show including bad friendships, plenty of arguments, and even dealing with an ex-husband. All the while, fans loved how real and relatable she was.
Porsha always says what fans are thinking. One such incident is when Kenya attempted to apologize to the group in a blanket all-for-one apology, leading Porsha to comment “is there an apology in here? ” Porsha stole season 5 by being one of the most honest, direct, and classy housewives of the season. Fans loved her resilience to get back up when she gets knocked down!
Season 6: Kenya Moore
Season 6 of RHOA showed off Kenya Moore as the style icon she is. This might have been the season she got evicted, but, even in her most trying times, her fashion sense had fans in awe.
During this season, Kenya also claimed she was dating a rich South African, without any proof or evidence which kept viewers hooked. Phaedra and Kenya continued to bring the drama and Kenya accused Apollo of having an affair. Kenya earned her stripes for number one housewife during this season, while giving the fans full-on drama from start to finish.
Season 7: Claudia Jordan
Claudia Jordan wasn’t one of the most memorable Real Housewives, and her time on the show was relatively short. Having said that, fans invested in her in the hope that she would make it to the top, but unfortunately, she didn’t go the distance.
Season 7 saw Claudia trying to make her mark in the show and desperately trying to make friends with NeNe Leakes while her rivalry with Porsha gave fans plenty of drama to enjoy. When Claudia began to spread gossip about Porsha to really stir the pot, fans loved the drama she brought to the show, even if it was just for a short time.
Season 8: Kim Fields
Kim Fields is known for breathing through her anger, she isn’t as argumentative on screen as a lot of the other cast members. Fans noticed this quickly and just watched and waited for the full blowout to happen, which in true RHOA fashion, it did, more than a few times!
Fans loved watching her honest brutality towards Kenya Moore, which is why they were happy to see Kim become a recurring housewife in this season. She wasn’t always one for drama, although she did appear to be at the center of it a lot of the time. Season 8 gave Kim more screen time and fans loved it.
Season 9: Shereé Whitfield
Shereé Whitfield was an originally RHOA cast member but left in season 5. She returns with a bang in season 9, back as a full-time cast member. Fans loved to see her back because she was the queen of throwing shade. Her one-liners would cut through the toughest of housewives, just like the time when she said this about NeNe ” I would not put NeNe and fashion in the same sentence.”
Shereé often stirs the pot and then watches it from a distance, making her great entertainment whenever she appears in RHOA, but particularly upon her return in season 9. In this season, fans loved her determination, confidence, and quick wit.
Season 10: Lisa Wu
Lisa Wu was a full-time housewife in the early seasons and this is where she first became a recognizable face. She returned as a guest star in later seasons, where she came back to make her impact.
Fans loved her surprise appearances and enjoyed how she managed to stir things up amongst the housewives and then walk away unscathed, but the main reason fans liked to see Lisa on screen was to see just how well she was getting on in the world of business. Despite her antics, she’s a great role model, and fans across the nation look up to this shrewd businesswoman, particularly in season 10 when she really comes into her own.
Season 11: Shamari DeVoe
Shamari DeVoe is one of the best one-season cast members in Real Housewives history, and during her short time on the show, she appeared to have a lot going on for her. Together with her husband Ronnie, the DeVoes are an unstoppable force on and off the show, with both making their mark in the music industry.
During season 11 of RHOA, Shamari was risqué; she didn’t mind showing a bit of flesh and she was confident in her own skin. No subject was off the table, just like when she openly discussed body confidence. Shamari stole season 11 with her strength, courage, and honesty.
Season 12: Eva Marcille Sterling
Eva Marcille Sterling owns a CBD oil company and a bedding line, proving she has the talent to be among the cast of The Real Housewives Of Atlanta. Fans relate to her laid-back approach to motherhood, showing she’s real when she forgets breast pads and leaks through her top.
Fans also watched her relationship with Michael Sterling go from strength to strength during this season. Viewers just loved this family-orientated couple, making Eva the number one housewife of season 12.
Season 13: Drew Sidora
It’s not an easy task to be the newbie on any season but especially RHOA and especially thirteen seasons down the line. However, this was the season where newcomer Drew showed her mettle and gave Kenya shady birthday gifts. Fans loved it, not knowing what she was going to unwrap!
The shade from Drew was off the chart but not once did she allow her mask to slip. The drama Drew brought to the season is what kept the fans invested thirteen seasons in, helping to make her queen of season 13.
