Porsha Williams is apparently not pleased The Real Housewives of Atlanta has demoted her to a smaller recurring role.
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Just hours after Bravo announced The Real Housewives of Atlanta's seventh-season cast and Williams learned she'll no longer star on the series as a main Housewife, Williams let the world know she was caught completely off-guard.
"After a long season of filming, and giving my all, I was blindsided by the announcement from the network that I was demoted from 'Housewife Status,' but would remain on the show in a 'Friend' capacity. Unfortunately, I can only be PORSHA, and portraying anything else would not be genuine nor honest," Williams told Us Weekly in a statement.
"This is not an easy time for me right now, but I want to let everyone know that I loved being a Housewife on The Real Housewives of Atlanta, and I am thankful [to] Bravo for the opportunity."
Williams, who was previously married to Kordell Stewart but split from him in 2013, will be portrayed on the series as a newly-single gossip reporter having just joined Dish Nation.
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"But it's not goodbye; you will see me on the show throughout the season, sharing and bonding with the other women, and I promise to stay connected with my fans as I start an exciting new time in my life. This moment is bittersweet, but God has been so amazing to me," Williams explained.
"I think this is the perfect time for me to spread my wings and finally focus on all of my upcoming projects. In addition to having my recurring role on RHOA, I will be able to focus my attention on my career as an entertainment correspondent on Dish Nation on the Fox Network, recording my album, building my businesses, and taking baby steps to nurture my relationship with my new love!!!"
Williams elaborated on the news of her demotion, calling the change "a new chapter" in her life.
"I will be giving my fans and supporters another chance to watch my growth as I take on the world in my own special way very soon! I am so thankful for all that #TEAMPORSHA does to keep me INSPIRED every day! Stay tuned," the reality TV star said.
A source told Us that Bravo has been slowly fading out Williams' role on The Real Housewives of Atlanta for a while now and she should've seen it coming. New Housewife Claudia Jordan is replacing Williams as a leading lady on the series.
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"Porsha didn't have much going on this season, so as filming went on, it was more interesting to follow the other women," the source insisted. "She became less of a cast member. In no way was she blindsided by this."
The Real Housewives of Atlanta's seventh season is set to debut on Sunday, November 9 at 8PM ET/PT.
About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski