During an interview with Black Entreprise, the Real Housewives of Atlanta star NeNe Leakes was asked about the positive impact of the show for Black America. Leakes says that through the show, other black girls see her as a role model. They can be an author, or designer, or actor, or be on Broadway like her (Leakes is currently starring in Cinderella).
When the interviewer described Leakes as being “at the height of her star power,” Leakes agrees and clarifies, “for an African American reality star, I’m probably that girl.” Leakes is reportedly the highest-paid actor in the Real Housewives franchise. In 2013 she signed a $1 million contract. She says she’s making more than $1.5 million for this season.