“The Real Housewives of Atlanta” will return to Bravo on April 5 for its milestone 17th season. Among the cast is long-time fan-favorite Porsha Williams. Now, ahead of the RHOA season 17 premiere, she’s teasing the show, saying it’s lighter in tone than it has been recently.
Williams interviewed with US Weekly in April 2026 to discuss the new RHOA season. She said of its tone, “This was not a dark season. It probably could have gone there, but it just wasn’t. We all want to be friends, and we’re grown.”
Porsha Williams Teases RHOA Season 17
GettyAs fans know, Williams left “The Real Housewives of Atlanta” in 2021 following season 13. However, she then returned for season 16 for the show’s soft reboot. During her US Weekly interview, she was asked about her mindset going into season 17 after having a difficult time the previous year.
According to Williams, “I just wanted a clean slate, and I wanted to have a good time. I wanted to be open to new friendships… and have this season feel like a breath of fresh air.”
Later, she was also asked about the newbies for the show, including singer K. Michelle and Slutty Vegan founder Pinky Cole. Regarding how they fit into the group, she explained, “We all were fans of K. Michelle before… She knows how to have a good time, and she’s funny. We definitely needed to get back to the fun shade of Housewives and having a good time, and she can do that.”
Williams continued about Cole, “And Pinky is a business powerhouse — she comes with the TED Talks. She is one of those friends that is just super encouraging. She’s big when it comes to energy and sisterhood. They both brought a very entertaining, positive energy. Don’t get me wrong, there were definitely some read-down sessions… but the fans are going to enjoy what they bring to the dynamic.”
She was then asked about the dynamic fans can expect to see in RHOA season 17. The mom of one responded, “I think that everybody was very intentional on trying to have their own mind frame so we didn’t let one bad apple poison the bunch.
Everybody was very intentional with, like, if I have an issue with somebody, I deal with it with that person. I do think that the intention towards the end was definitely for us to be one and not be a family divided. I love that.”
Andy Cohen Has Also Teased ‘The Real Housewives of Atlanta’
GettyAccording to Bravo, Andy Cohen teased season 17 of RHOA during an episode of his radio show after the trailer was released. He said of the season, “It’s a real group, but when I tell you I was cackling at the premiere.”
Cohen continued, “Now, I had seen it, and we had a little, you know, I watch the cuts and we give notes and there was work to be done, but I was like, ‘Wow, this is super promising.’ But boy, I’m five episodes into ‘Atlanta,’ of cuts, and it’s a delight.”
RHOA season 17 also features Phaedra Parks, Drew Sidora, Angela Oakley, Kelli Ferrell, and Shamea Morton as peachholders. “Housewives” legend Cynthia Bailey also appears as an official friend of the show.
