NeNe Leakes is officially back in her fashion era.
“The Real Housewives of Atlanta” alum is keeping fans on their toes after quietly spinning the block and reconciling with her longtime, on-and-off boyfriend, international fashion designer Nyonisela Sioh.
During her highly publicized “soft girl era,” the reality star briefly stepped away from the relationship and dated a Memphis attorney. Leakes confirmed during the latest “The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip: Roaring 20th,” however, that she and Sioh are back on and designing a future together.
First linked in late 2021, the pair’s romance marked a beautiful new chapter for Leakes following the heartbreaking loss of her late husband, Gregg Leakes. Now, as the couple navigates their relationship with a newfound desire for privacy, fans are eager to learn more about the luxury mogul who captured the Bravolebrity’s heart.
Who Is Nyonisela Sioh? Get to Know the International Designer
Nyonisela Sioh is a massive power player in global fashion. Nene’s Liberian-born beau is the founder of the luxury menswear line Nyoni Couture. The brand specializes in high-end, custom-tailored suits and bespoke accessories. He later moved to Europe and trained in Milan, Italy. This international background heavily shapes his unique aesthetic. His designs beautifully fuse his African heritage with sharp Western tailoring.
During her grand return on “The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip,” NeNe proudly introduced him to the cast. She gleefully declared to the room, “This is my guy, Nyonisela.”
Sioh launched his flagship brick-and-mortar storefront in Charlotte, North Carolina. He later expanded his empire by opening an elite showroom in Atlanta’s upscale Buckhead district. His dapper, custom pieces have attracted a very impressive celebrity clientele.
He has styled stars like musician Wyclef Jean and singer Anthony Hamilton. He even custom-designed the official inaugural outfit for Liberia’s president. Much like NeNe, Sioh treats the entire world as his personal fashion runway.
The Bravo Connection: How a ‘Real Housewives’ Star Brought Them Together
You can thank the “Real Housewives” universe for this romantic match. The pair was introduced by Peter Thomas, the ex-husband of NeNe’s former co-star Cynthia Bailey. Thomas knew Sioh’s upscale vibe would perfectly match NeNe’s loud, glamorous energy. He was completely right, and the chemistry was instant. They officially went public in December 2021 at NeNe’s birthday bash.
Reflecting on her journey on RHUGT, NeNe shared how much she missed this exact circle. “I really missed being connected to the girls,” she admitted emotionally to the group. Her new romance brings that Bravo connection full circle.
Honoring Gregg: NeNe’s Journey of Love After Loss
NeNe opened her heart about finding love again during her emotional RHUGT appearance. While catching up, she reflected heavily on losing her beloved late husband, Gregg Leakes, to colon cancer. The reality icon got deeply candid with her fellow Housewives about her ongoing grief.
NeNe beautifully revealed that Gregg explicitly gave his blessing for her to move on. “He told me before he passed that he wanted me to love again,” she shared. Taking his final words to heart, she is happily navigating life with Sioh today.
