Exclusive | Phaedra Parks reassures fans that ‘RHOA’ cast shakeup was ‘definitely a good thing’: We’re going to have some ‘firecrackers’
Phaedra Parks is excited about her long-awaited return to “The Real Housewives of Atlanta” — and assures fans the cast change was worth it!
“We’ve got some new women that are really amazing,” she told Page Six exclusively after making her debut on Season 33 of “Dancing With the Stars” Tuesday night.
“They’ve made a change in the cast, but it’s definitely … it’s a good thing, it’s a good thing! I think people will really enjoy it.”
Parks said she had an “amazing time” reuniting with stars like Porsha Williams and Cynthia Bailey, who are also returning for Season 16 as a full-time cast member and “friend,” respectively.
“I mean, Gumbo is Gumbo-ing again,” joked Parks, 50. “So the Titanic, honey, it’s the love boat now. It’s coming back up.”
In addition to some familiar “RHOA” faces, the new season will also introduce Kelly Ferrell, Brittany Eddy and Angela Oakley as full-time cast members. Shamea Morton Mwangi, formerly a “friend,” has also been promoted to Housewife.
While it’s unclear how long fans will have to wait to see Parks return to the beloved Bravo franchise, they can catch Parks on the current season of “DWTS.”
She and her pro partner — reigning Mirrorball champion Val Chmerkovskiy — made their debut during premiere night on Tuesday, dancing the Cha Cha to Whitney Houston’s “I’m Every Woman.” The two received a combined score of 19/30 from the judges.
“I feel great! I mean, we were practicing, and I wasn’t sure what I was doing, but I’ve got a great teacher here. She’s awesome,” Parks told us just moments after the first live show wrapped.
“He’s really friendly, so it’s been really fun, and I really like him, he’s nice.”
Fans have long wanted to see Parks on the show. She spoke to Page Six about why now felt like the right time to put on her dancing shoes.
“You know, it’s been a year of saying ‘yes.’ I did ‘The Traitors,’ which is definitely outside of my repertoire, but I said ‘yes’ to that. And it’s one of my mom’s favorite shows. So mom is watching,” he shared, noting that Chmerkovskiy, 38, is “mom’s favorite” pro.
“She knows she’s a winner, so she says, ‘You’re in good hands.'”
As for Chmerkovskiy, he told Us he’s “excited to be back” after winning Season 32 with Xochitl Gomez. He called his new partner, Parks, “amazing” and raved about their partnership already being “a special one.”
He added, “I just want to showcase this beautiful woman, and have a good time while doing it!”
As previously reported, Parks has been busy with reality TV projects over the past two years. However, her fans were thrilled when she confirmed she would be returning to Season 16 of “RHOA” in July after a six-season absence.
“You called. I answered 🍑 #RHOA #S16,” she wrote via Instagram at the time, sharing a photo of herself holding the franchise’s signature peach.
Bravo has not yet released a premiere date for Season 16 of “Real Housewives of Atlanta.” In the meantime, fans can catch Parks and Chmerkovskiy on “Dancing With the Stars,” which airs Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC and Disney+.
