Filming season 16 of The Real Housewives of Atlanta was difficult for longtime star Porsha Williams. By the time the reunion aired in July 2025, her divorce from Simon Guobadia was final and her bond with her childhood friend — and costar — Shamea Morton Mwangi had been tested.
When season 17 of the hit Bravo series premieres at 8 p.m. on Sunday, April 6, viewers should be ready for a whole new Porsha — and a whole new world.
“This was not a dark season,” Williams, 44, tells Us. “It probably could have gone there, but it just wasn’t. We all want to be friends, and we’re grown.”
The reality TV star tells Us what to expect from the cast, which costars returning Wives Phaedra Parks, Drew Sidora, Morton Mwangi, Angela Oakley and Kelli Ferrell, as well as newcomers K. Michelle and Pinky Cole. Cynthia Bailey also returns as a friend.
What was your mindset going into season 17?
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.
We see you dating two people — a man and a woman — and in November, you went public with girlfriend Sway McKinney. How did you know she was the one?
You just know when you know. I felt comfortable. I felt led more toward her and our relationship and what we were building.
There are two new cast members: Love & Hip Hop’s K. Michelle and Slutty Vegan founder Pinky Cole. How did they fit in with the group?
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. 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.
How does the dynamic this season feel different?
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, iIf 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.
It seems like you and Kelli Potter get into it this season.
It’s really nothing new. Kelli likes to pick at me to get a reaction or attention. It’s not that deep to me.
Who did you lean on most?
Phaedra [Parks ]and I have a very trusting friendship. So do Cynthia [Bailey] and I. I know she probably misses some of the OGs. I always look for her and Phaedra —; we have our little camaraderie of doing this for so long.
What former RHOA stars would you potentially like to see return?
NeNe Leakes [who will appear alongside Williams in the upcoming Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip: Roaring 20th] would mix well. And the brand-new Kandi [Burruss, who just got divorced] should come back.
