Nene Leakes Checked in on Longtime Rival Kim Zolciak as Kim’s Son KJ Biermann Faces Serious Legal Issues, “I Know She’s Not Okay.”

12 Sep 2026, 18:26 by Chrissy Stockton · Thought Catalog

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Updated 7 minutes ago, September 12, 2026

NeNe Leakes says she’s set aside years of bad blood with former “Real Housewives of Atlanta” co-star Kim Zolciak to check in during one of the hardest stretches of Kim’s life. Appearing on the “Big Tigger Morning Show” on Friday, NeNe opened up about reaching out to her onetime Real Housewives rival, Kim Zolciak.

NeNe Leakes, Bethenny Frankel, and Kim Zolciak share the stage at the 2009 VH1 Divas event held at Brooklyn Academy of Music in New York City. Photo by Christopher Polk / Getty Images.

The check-in comes as Kim’s son, KJ Biermann, has been arrested and is now facing very serious charges, including aggravated sodomy, aggravated child molestation, and false imprisonment.

NeNe Leakes, Sheree Whitfield, Lisa Wu Hartwell, Kandi Burruss, and Kim Zolciak together at Skylight Studio in New York City for Bravo’s 2010 Upfront Party. Photo by Astrid Stawiarz / Getty Images.

NeNe was candid about where things stand between the two women. While “friend” is too strong a word for Kim, she said, she no longer has beef with her and considers her an “associate.” That was enough, she explained, to prompt her to reach out amid KJ’s legal troubles and offer support.

At The Abbey’s 35th Anniversary celebration in West Hollywood on May 20, 2026, Nene Leakes makes her arrival. Photo by Presley Ann / Getty Images.

“I just hit her up wanting to know how she’s doing, congratulated her on Brielle [Biermann, Kim’s daughter who is getting married in November], made sure she’s okay with what her son is dealing with,” NeNe said. “I know that’s a tough time and I know she’s not okay.”

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