NeNe Leakes’ TV news debut
Real Housewives of Atlanta cast member NeNe Leakes is getting a new dose of exposure starting this week, as a WXIA-TV contributor.
The NBC affiliate stressed to Buzz a while back that Leakes is not to be considered a “journalist” but rather, an addition to the station’s entertainment offerings. NBC’s Bravo airs the “Housewives” shows, making this project something of a family affair.
The partnership gets off the ground this week with Leakes’ encounter with artist Jermaine Dupri. In a clip on the WXIA Web site the two shoot hoops while talking about…shooting hoops.
“I am a good basketball player,” Leakes announces, slipping out of her heels to demonstrate. The clip runs a little over two minutes and she does appear to sink one.
“Too bad I have on a dress,” she laments after missing some shots. “If I didn’t have on a dress, I’d make it happen for y’all.”
The action takes place at Dupri’s studio, and he explains that artists who need to take a break from recording can play basketball, then take a shower and get back to work without having left the building.
“Sometimes you get a block, you have a distraction, you’ve got to get your mind off what you’re doing,” Dupri says.
Leakes also tries her hand at delivering the weather forecast.
The segments are branded “Keeping it Real With NeNe” and will air weekdays at 6:46 a.m. on WXIA, or you can watch the clips online.
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102 comments Add your comment
hotlanta
July 12th, 2010
11:56 am
Who is gonna be on there next? Dwight with his fur pants and Rapunzel weave. I know he can’t wait to show up with his makeup and baby Jeri curl.
levelhead
July 12th, 2010
12:18 pm
horrible not hate just horrible in the words of Nancy Karrigen “WHY WHY”
Daily11alivewatcher
July 12th, 2010
12:29 pm
I watch the 11 alive news every moring, and this morning I wished they would have stuck to news, traffic, and weather with the usual staff. I’m not really interested in knowing what days I need to “take my wig off.” I appreciate the changes 11 alive has made to their newscast to make it more relivant and not doom and gloom, but seriously?!?! If I want the entertainment buzz I’ll listen to Q100.
Whiners!!!
July 12th, 2010
1:05 pm
Wow! who knew that Nene had such wide appeal thats scores of folks would comment on a topic about her but not other real news! Especially when communicating hatred! Get real whiners you do care! lol
Teresa
July 12th, 2010
1:18 pm
Hate it or love it, she is on TV and we are blogging about her…mmmmmm
Steve
July 12th, 2010
1:19 pm
You have got to be kidding me. NBC must be in a hard way to hire this woman for anything. I never liked that news show anyway and now, no way would I turn over to watch it. This woman has no talent other than being a hoochie mama from the ghetto. That whole housewives thing gives our city a major black eye. Sad.
NoNo
July 12th, 2010
1:19 pm
People… It’s not “direst”, it’s DURESS. And it’s not “tackful”, it’s TACTFUL. You’re welcome.
Steve
July 12th, 2010
1:22 pm
Tigger wrote: Is she gonna get a real name, too?
Hoochie Mama is her real name. She’s from the ghetto.
Stop IT!!!
July 12th, 2010
1:27 pm
I’m more offended by Sarah Palien than Ne-Ne. Ne-Ne is entertaining she’s not trying to control your life and thoughts. Sarah Palien gets you numbnuts all worked up as she makes millions capitalizes on your ability to see through her bull. Do what I do when I see Palien; click….. Palin + Alien = Palien
Stop IT!!!
July 12th, 2010
1:28 pm
That should be LACK of ABILITY to see through her BULL
Angela
July 12th, 2010
2:05 pm
I purposely didn’t watch Channel 11 this morning because I knew that she was going to be on the show. Is she a permanent cast member or is this a test pilot? I don’t like Fox 5 or Channel 2 news, but I will switch if I need too. Karen Greer, don’t fall for the okey-doke!!
Jane
July 12th, 2010
2:13 pm
I hate those WXIA commercials where they say they want to change our lives. Just shut up and report the news. Not sure what the complaint is about Jasmine Guy being on. At least she’s a very talented actress and choreographer. Nene, on the other hand, is just another very loud, ghetto girl. See ya WXIA.
a Kim fan
July 12th, 2010
2:21 pm
Nene’s makeup was all wrong….BAM!!
Picnic
July 12th, 2010
3:07 pm
Stop hating you haters ! Remember she’s in show business and you’re not!
Big Jim
July 12th, 2010
3:09 pm
Only a gay man would look at a “woman” who
looks like NeNe and be “attracted”. Sam, you
sure you don’t like her style for yourself?
FYI, Big Jim don’t reside in ATL! There are too
many people like you! To each “his” own.
ATLPeach
July 12th, 2010
3:12 pm
@Big Jim, why did you only name Black women? Surely you know white women wear extensions and have breast implants. Gimme a break!
@Steve, how many ghettos have you been to? Hmmm…guess you know more about them than I do so I’ll take you at your word. Maybe she was your neighbor.
george
July 12th, 2010
3:31 pm
WXIA you have no credibility. what’s next, ambulance chasing…
Suwanee
July 12th, 2010
3:33 pm
there are thousands of unemployed college graduates who could doa better job than this diva.
Big Jim
July 12th, 2010
3:36 pm
Sorry ATLPeach! I left out the Kardashians!
Hell,most of Hollywood for that matter.
The idea that these things happen in
entertainment so much,it makes those
of us on the outside maybe think it’s ok
for us to imitate.
No offense to my sistas, please don’t
take it that way.
I’ve been gone for a while, is Monica Kaufman
still dying her hair to look like a Yeti? How about
the Scandinavian colored contacts. Is she still
Kaufman, or did she get married for the 50th time?
I miss ATL chocolate.
Idalis
July 12th, 2010
3:44 pm
NeNe and Karen Greer — the perfect early a.m. pair!!
Dee
July 12th, 2010
3:57 pm
I’m disappointed in 11Alive. She was an embarassement. Get her off quick.
Shaking my head
July 12th, 2010
4:06 pm
A real embarassment. I am sure NBC Universal has no clue that WXIA signed Nene.
Not this time 11Alive
July 12th, 2010
4:08 pm
Hey!
I am a huge fan of 11 Alive, I’ve even emailed them to say such, however, this NeNe gig is not a good move. I like NeNe…on the RHOA but not on my favorite news station, first thing in the morning. I really want to hear and see my weather report, its important here because we all know Atlanta’s weather is bi-polar. Instead it’s NeNe, being funny. I don’t know about this one 11 Alive, I hope they read these…
Just my thoughts…
Judy
July 12th, 2010
4:23 pm
WOW… I can’t believe they hired her because she was on a reality show. I saw part of the news this morning and just thought she was a guest. I know what and who I won’t be watching – I won’t be watching WXIA. Do you really think that she’ll draw that many viewers for you or has she hooked up with one of the execs? Seriously? I want her agent!!!
ROXX
July 12th, 2010
4:59 pm
Not just ugly teeth…..missing teeth!
Tracy Sipp
July 12th, 2010
5:18 pm
Wow who knew so many people were interested in a story about Nene Leakes and 11Alive? Especially those that don’t watch 11Alive. I’m sure all you guys took a look at this clip and loved it thats why you guys are making so many comments. Go Nene keep doing your thang girl.
Gainesville Man
July 12th, 2010
5:26 pm
What are you doing WXIA? You got a bit kudos for bringing Jeff Hullinger in and now you totally nullify it with NeNe………………………..
angel west
July 12th, 2010
5:59 pm
Real housewives, real psychological issues? Read, join the discussion and judge for yourself!
http://angelofdevs.wordpress.com
The Dogfighter Returns
July 12th, 2010
6:45 pm
when is she going back to walking the beat on old nat again?
Willie B really misses you and would love to impregnate you again.
bigred
July 12th, 2010
7:53 pm
I file this under who gives a flying F**K!!!!!!
BIG JIM
July 12th, 2010
7:57 pm
agreed
donkey legs
July 12th, 2010
8:14 pm
I watched her this morning no big deal!! I did like seeing jeff hullinger anchoring he’s kwik keep him on the show give the morning newscast some life.
Greg
July 12th, 2010
9:37 pm
Will not watch WXIA as long as she is on there, not sure what they are thinking.
Get Real
July 12th, 2010
10:18 pm
I thought qualified individuals who attended school and earned their spots, working hard to refine their crafts to be on TV…
Oh,you need no education, can be a former stripper, and have a fake marriage on a reality show, where you show no class to get a gig. Bad Move WXIA.
Get Real
Robin Huud
July 12th, 2010
10:23 pm
The amazing thing about people like Ne Ne is that she is so stupid, she really thinks she is a star and goes not realize all sane and respectable people are laughting their asses off at her. Boy, WXIA but really be in a ratings fung to put her on the air. Don’t they realize viewers will watch her once and that will be it for her and the station ratings. Poor Ne Ne; eventually you will see her in a homeless shelter with all the other HWOA who have been evicted from their homes. When will people realize this who thing is staged and phony as hell. And the we have Dwight…the Queen of Atlanta. My god, who ever said Atlanta was the New York of the South…what a joke.
Uncle Tom
July 12th, 2010
10:28 pm
To sam: Nene is sexy enough for real men?
Intellect must not be one of the things you look for in a ‘real’ woman.
Calling it like I see it!
July 12th, 2010
11:40 pm
NE-NE HATERS EVERY WHERE. WHO’S NENE??? WELL SHE THE ONE EVERYONE IS HATING ON, THE ONE WHO IS MAKING THE BIG BUCKS!!!!! ALL I CAN SAY IS “MAKE YOUR HATERS YOUR MOTIVATORS NE-NE” KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK AND GOOD LUCK. YOU DON’T FIND TOO MANY PEOPLE BECOME A CELEBRITY WITH YOUR BACK GROUND. ALL THESE PEOPLE WHO ARE TYPING THESE UGLY THINGS ARE HATERS. THEY WILL WATCH YOU BECAUSE IF THEY DIDN’T HOW DO THEY KNOW WHO YOU ARE? UMMMMMM
Calling it like I see it!
July 12th, 2010
11:42 pm
NE-NE THEY TALKED ABOUT JESUS TOO!!!!!!
WiseWoman
July 13th, 2010
12:52 am
So “Calling it like I see it!”, you comparing Nene to Jesus?
WiseWoman
July 13th, 2010
12:59 am
Emmy award winning station one minute, laughing stock of morning tv the next! Waking up to seeing/hearing Nene is a bit much so early in the morning, but here’s my answer…”click” and change the channel. Problem solved…the weather channel never looked so good!
Lisa
July 13th, 2010
5:44 am
Funny, so many people have negative comments about NeNe, but comments none the less. These people are talking about HER, not the other way around, something to think about.
wgas
July 13th, 2010
7:16 am
Just goes to show STUPID rules in the Big A with help from WXIA
CB from ATL
July 13th, 2010
10:41 am
I know it’s a private matter, but since she chose to make her life public, oh well here goes: Most will agree that Nene was the one of the most likeable personalities on the 1st season of RHOA. Her persona changed in the 2nd season. She became more arrogant, snooty, and all-around more stuck-up. My personal belief is that the inclusion of Candy (a TRUE independent and financially sound ATL personality) stole Nene’s thunder and lessened her appeal as the most genuine person on the show (Taking nothing from any other personality, of course but this is about Nene). I also know that reality TV also askews actual reality and that sometimes producers push their “stars” to act in a certain manner. However, given the fact that her (own soon to be ex) has confirmed beliefs that fame had gone to her head, we find that she has in fact changed. Or perhaps her persona was always this way, but it’s simply coming to the surface. In any event, those that found her to be fun and witty during the first season have awoke to find a loud, obnoxious (and YES ghetto) in her place. Yes, Nene, you are very “ghetto-fied”. It was cute in the beginning, but a mixture of a ghetto persona with your nose in the air is extremely ugly. I truly hope that Greg gets the money he invested into creating your fleeting fame. He deserves at least that much.
NeNe Leakes to joing WXIA-TV (NBC) in Atlanta | Cameron Landing
July 13th, 2010
11:31 am
[...] of Atlanta always seem to find there way into the local news…literally. According to an article in the AJ-C’s “The Buzz”, Atlanta housewife (actually “soon-to-be former [...]
GAGirl
July 14th, 2010
10:03 am
Please, don’t let this person on the real news, she is not anyone that I want to watch at 6 am…her vocabulary is terrible and she is too loud. Plus, she has no credibility, all she has ever done is become a cast member on a reality show. Please don’t let her ruin your great news show…I will turn the channel.
LOL @ These Haters
July 15th, 2010
8:11 pm
You know who’s funny? “HATERS!” You guys keep doing your job and I’ll keep being amused.
Atl Resident
July 15th, 2010
9:53 pm
JD, I just want to know why in the hell would you want to be around this dumb broad?
Margaret
July 17th, 2010
9:22 am
It’s too bad WXIA is this desperate. Ne-Ne definitey is not the answer. WXIA should bring in an expert to advise on how to improve their ratings.
Carolyn Jones
July 17th, 2010
1:00 pm
All I want to say is…..” for the love of God please buy out her contract and get NeNe off the air.”
Cee Cee
July 18th, 2010
7:15 pm
NeNe….I know you saying,”HI HATERS” Best of luck and I like your style. Get back ya’ll don’t know her like that. She getting ….P.A.I.D…I am not mad at ya…Go Diva Go.