NeNe Leakes starting fashion line
She By Sheree never got off the ground.
Can Nene Leakes do better?
Given her career arc, it sure looks like it.
In an exclusive with The Hollywood Reporter, the “Real Housewives of Atlanta” star has signed with a branding agency to help launch a new clothing and accessory line.
The story uses proper fashion buzzwords, dubbing the line “fashion forward” and “affordable.”
Leakes signed with a company called Beanstalk. The executives proceeded to rave about her:
“While the fame of reality television characters is often short-lived and fleeting,” said Michael Stone, Beanstalk’s president and CEO, “NeNeLeakes has displayed versatility that has enabled her to transition from being a Real Housewives personality to a featured television star on Glee. NeNe’s mult-faceted personality and aspirational style will translate well into products that will emotionally connect with her fans.”
Said Allison Ames, president of North America at Beanstalk: “NeNe’s rise to fame has eclipsed that of any other reality television star today, providing a real opportunity to extend her brand.”
Leakes has decided to stay with “The Real Housewives” for a fifth season, now in production, despite plenty of work in Los Angeles, courtesy of Ryan Murphy. She had a recurring role in “Glee” and will also have a role in the upcoming NBC show by Murphy “The New Normal.”
Hellobeautiful.com said she was paid upwards to $1 million for the fourth season. If that’s even close to accurate, it’d be hard for Leakes to say no.
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By Rodney Ho, Radio & TV Talk
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99 comments Add your comment
Eldrick
June 12th, 2012
9:55 pm
When I saw her doing some pieces on 11 alive I was shocked. The morning show was more like BET between her and Chesley.
dre
June 12th, 2012
9:56 pm
Today’s effort by the local weather forecasters was possibly in the top 3 worst ever, and we have had plenty of bad ones. Brad Nitz and Kirk Mueluish called for an inch of rain and heavy thunderstorms in the afternoon. There wasn’t a cloud in the sky in the entire southeastern US all day.
notaracist
June 12th, 2012
10:16 pm
@El Mongol: You may fear your mother, the IRS and God, but your fear of God, still allows you to criticize someone whom he(God)is blessing. I am truly not a fan of any of the Housewives,in any city. But, they do make for good television, such as a Soap Opera. In any case, if any of them or any person for that matter, life changes for the better, who am I to criticize and belittle. I am certain, I will not be purchasing anything from her line, but I absolutely wish her the very best.
notaracist
June 12th, 2012
10:21 pm
I don’t know. Generally, I don’t watch the television shows,of people I have disdain for. Therefore, I would not have a clue as to what they do, or how they do it. Just Saying.
creative
June 12th, 2012
10:26 pm
I’m ending it. kill me please
Marcellas
June 12th, 2012
10:56 pm
You can have all the money in the world but you still won’t be respected. Once a hoe always a hoe.
gimmeyodollar
June 12th, 2012
11:11 pm
as much as you may hate her, she has really taken what was a small opportunity and made the most out of it. She isn’t doing anything different from Kim K and the other reality series people. Kim K first got famous for sleeping with black men and NeNe got famous for being a beech on reality TV
El Mongol
June 12th, 2012
11:47 pm
notaracist said, “your fear of God, still allows you to criticize someone whom he(God)is blessing.”
Note to all the rappers, pro athletes, movie stars, country singers, race car drivers, Word of Faith Pastors entrepreneurs and folks that worship them: just because you have a lot of money does not mean God is blessing you. Adolf Hitler controlled much of the world and I can assure you God was not blessing him. Regardless of what the simple minded may think material wealth is not the measure of success.
gimmeyodollar
June 13th, 2012
3:17 am
i must admit– after RHOA first appeared on TV, I have noticed many large women in Atlanta (lord knows there’s plenty of them) wearing clothing 5 sizes too small, big sun glasses and glittery purses when going to simple places like McDonald’s. Why are you wearing a cocktail dress to get a burger and fries? I call it the NeNe effect.
Cynthia
June 13th, 2012
4:14 am
Always like Nene.. SO HAPPY FOR U GIRL U GO….keep the haters behind…
Sluggo
June 13th, 2012
6:42 am
I am glad to see Leakes expand her horizons beyond an acting career. However , she will need to market her clothing lineup to a specific target audience. Plus, she will need to make sure her unique personality is reflected into the product by a brand label. May I suggest a couple of potential spunky names for the line up? Something like the following.
“Fresh Ghetto” or ” Urban Lady Buffoon “
Etiquette Police
June 13th, 2012
6:54 am
I have heard some call her a Colorado Moose – the face and overall size. That’s a little over the top.
Etiquette Police
June 13th, 2012
6:57 am
Sluggo: How about these names for her clothes: “Ghetto Dolla” or “Smash-n-Grab”?
Treilla
June 13th, 2012
7:02 am
Love you style…looking forward checking it out !!!!
'trtainmnt@itzbest
June 13th, 2012
7:31 am
Some of these are the same haters from Season 1 thru 4. Now she has money, they sing a different tune. NeNe is way past Drag Race contestants’ at this stage, in case some haven’t noticed.
Catgut
June 13th, 2012
7:54 am
Aaahhh yes, the Classic Hefdy Trash Bag, bring it to the club NaNa we got a new pole for you.
Congrats NeNe
June 13th, 2012
8:18 am
Congrats NeNe! Keep doing what you do.
SMH....
June 13th, 2012
8:58 am
People….has NeNe done anything personally to the ones who don’t like her? Do you even know her? Find something positive and productive to do…my goodness.
creative
June 13th, 2012
9:33 am
can we come up with a new word besides hater. When I here that word to describe someone who happens to be black it makes me want to throw up, for the simple reason that anyone who says “hater” is a moron themselves. Now I will wait for someone to say @Creative…you a racist hater or U go Girl keep doin your thang. These statements perpetuate stereotypes and make you look worse. On the race thing. I think most white people suck too (anyone on American Idol, Walmart rednecks, Dunwoody trophy wives etc) so that has nothing to do with it.
Kimi
June 13th, 2012
9:40 am
Not really a Nene fan myself, but can’t knock her hustle, she is working her 15 minutes for all it’s worth. Continued luck to her!
sick of worthless wives
June 13th, 2012
9:43 am
Who gives a ****?
CKL in the ATL
June 13th, 2012
9:52 am
So happy for you Ne-Ne! Keep on getting RICH B****!!!!! All teasing aside; you do inspire!
KGray
June 13th, 2012
10:14 am
A Smart Person and enough to know, apparently you are upset that this woman has marketed herself into a brand and she is doing exceptionally well. I’m educated and I always told my friends that she would be the one to go and do other things besides the RHOA. I think it’s quite ignorant of you and the rest of the people on here who are making these nasty comments.Apparently, you aren’t educated and wish that you were or wished you had the money that she now has made. My suggestion for you all is to go and to the same thing that she’s doing and that’s marketing and branding yourself and stop hating and being envious over someones accomplishments. I personally don’t like the way she acts on the show; however, all of it is scripted and they are following the script.
SamE
June 13th, 2012
10:19 am
Nene’s got game I’ll give her that, but her attitude sucks. I would love for her to stop representing Atlanta even though she’s a native. You can keep Cali. she won’t be missed.
DEE-Andrea
June 13th, 2012
10:23 am
Although I dislike Ne-Ne’s ways I’m happy to see any woman of any size, race, religion etc. succeed. Go head boo, do you! Congratulations.
creative
June 13th, 2012
10:46 am
Thanks KGray for keeping it going. The argument always seems to come back to money. If someone makes money at doing something that equals value to society. With that rationale, Snooki, Brittney Spears, Pastor Long, and Kim Kardashian would be super cool human beings. Just for the simple fact that you said haters makes you ignorant (lack of knowledge). I realize that you say you are educated, which probably means you have a college degree. That does not equal educated for your information. Try looking up to people Like Chuck D, KRS 1, Henry Rollins, Miles Davis (RIP), John McEnroe, Charles Barkley, Jerry Seinfeld, David Chapelle. I am keeping it in the entertainment industry since that is the blog we are on. So NeNe leaks is awful. She sucks as a person. No I not know her personally, but her actions while the camera is on defines who she is in the realty TV, twitter, and facebook world that we live in
romeo
June 13th, 2012
11:06 am
Wow this is crazy . I don’t have a problem with this woman making money hell she was a stripper at one time at one of my favorite in Atlanta at one time I remember her very well and so do a lot of other men.My problem is when I think of all the good girls that have dreams of doing what Nene is doing and will never get the oppertunity to ever do anything on this on this level it makes me sick.
Here we have another loud mouth black woman whos only claim to fame is being disrespectful to other black women , being loud , and divorcing her husband who took her in when she was out in the street. Now she has her own line of clothes . As Don King said Only In America.
I don’t care for any of the women on the show. They are all trying to get where Nene is in life by being loud and none of them have any real talent or skill. The only black men that they put on this show are homosexuals. In 2012 this is what black people want or is this what black people are getting.
I guess I should not be surprised a locial news station hired her to report news in Atlanta lol wow only in america.
Deb
June 13th, 2012
11:41 am
Nene is welcome in Cali.Congrads.
creative
June 13th, 2012
11:48 am
congrats for typing Congrads. These are the people who love you NeNe. People who hate gay people, think congrats is gongrads, people who say you go girl and u be u girl. Lastly, ya’ll quit hatin on a Nubian Princess. ya’ll just jealous of her money. ATL native for 34 years and I gotta get out. Please save your, “Well, what’s stopping you.” I get it. f i don’t like it I should leave
Diane Atl
June 13th, 2012
12:23 pm
Congrats NeNe, and may God continue to bless you and your family.
Fran Thomas
June 13th, 2012
12:28 pm
Your Rich
sircharles
June 13th, 2012
12:37 pm
Let there be no mistakes about NeNe efforts; she will not susceed in the fashion arena. What is already out there she cannot make it better for women of any size. Many how tried and it is one blank space because all clothing made has to draw in particular women. NeNe is to much about being “the jones” and often brag about credit-cards, fashionable clothing, cars, homes, etc. But you never seen her real life as to what she drives and where she lives. She is a trouble maker and always thinking she is above or better than everyone else. Her bells is about to ring, let’s see if she open the doors!
Pink Pony
June 13th, 2012
1:20 pm
Seriously though, I don’t care if she looks like a Moose. Does anyone know what her occupation was before the show (and after being a stripper)? What is she known for?
Eric
June 13th, 2012
1:36 pm
@sircharles
Dude I hope you feel better now that you have bashed Ne-Ne Leakes and I’m sure she cares…NOT!
You might want to learn how to use verbs in a sentence before getting on the internet and trying to put someone else down. LMAO!!
Sad
June 13th, 2012
2:42 pm
The sad part of all this is that her “character” on RHOA is actually her personality. She dresses like a hooker and sounds like someone gave her coaching lessons on how to speak english. Sounds like trash come to town!
Bring Back Ted!
June 13th, 2012
3:45 pm
NeNe:
The Failure of the Public ‘Skool’ System of Clayton & South DeKalb
Bring Back Ted!
June 13th, 2012
3:48 pm
NeNe,
Congratulations on covering that market niche LANE BRYANT didn’t think was worth trouble!
Senoir K. Kong
June 13th, 2012
4:21 pm
Senior thinks this Poo Poo should start a line of jump ropes….
Senior K. Kong
June 13th, 2012
4:26 pm
And don’t you white boys be mad cause you couldn’t tap it……..
KeKe
June 13th, 2012
5:10 pm
Congrats Nene!! Show them how to make a $1 out of $0.15.
Team NeNe & Team Marlo
June 13th, 2012
5:30 pm
Congratulations NeNe! Wish you nothing but the best!!!!
Now, if only Bravo would bring back Marlo to RHOA!
Atlanta Thrashers Fan
June 14th, 2012
12:52 am
NeNe Leakes:
The “Atlanta Spirit Group” of Educated, Intelligent, Articulate, Attractive, Classy Ladies
Atlanta Thrashers Fan
June 14th, 2012
12:54 am
Tap NeNe Leakes???
I’d Sooner Stick My Love Tool in a Paper Shredder.
CJ
June 14th, 2012
10:15 am
I Pray for her continued success. Very inspirational, regardless of how people can make it seem. Black mother, living her dreams and becoming financially secure. No, she is not perfect and you can’t please everyone, love her honesty, fashion sense and love for her family. She gives me inspiration to keep moving forward toward my dreams, while working toward becoming a better person.
Little Bo Peep
June 14th, 2012
12:11 pm
NeNe = The “Madonna” of Ignorant, Gold-Digging, Ghetto Trash
Little Bo Peep
June 14th, 2012
12:12 pm
By the way,
That AIN’T a compliment, either.
mcc
June 14th, 2012
6:29 pm
Good for her!! The same people complaining and joking about her are contributing to her success just as much as the rest of us. Ratings are ratings, not matter how you spin it or your motivation for watching (or reading in this case). As long as people keep tuning in just to see what she is gonna do or say… or to come up with some lame jokes…NeNe will continue to be VERY rich!!
Myra
June 14th, 2012
11:46 pm
Are y’all f’ing serious??? Out if the 100+ comments posted about NeNe.. Don’t none of y’all bit@@@’@ make 1/3 of half of what she makes. That bi@@@ is JUST FAB! She speaks her damn mind abd don’t take no ‘ish from ANYBODY. Donald fuc@@@@@ Trumph called her to comeback when she left the Apprentice.. U know why??? Becuz she was the reason we tuned in. Since the Apprentice first aired.. The season she was on there.. The ratings were the highest… Hmmm.. The numbers don’t lie.. But people do. So I’m speaking for Mrs. BOSS ASS Leakes.. Kiss OUR ass!!!
justwhen
June 17th, 2012
10:16 pm
some of the comments on this page are as ghetto as their claim that N
eNe is ghetto lmao. Very entertaining. NeNe is trying hard to make something decent out of her life. Why the hate. I suppose Snooker is a class act to some of you. Secure people never begrudge a person for trying to do something positive with their lives. NeNe keep up the good work, you’ll succeed or fail, you won’t know until you have tried.