<P> NeNe Leakes chose to leave the series prior shortly after season 7 to focus on other business ventures . Claudia Jordan was let go from the series after she allegedly choose to decline being demoted to a recurring capacity . Along with Jordan and Leakes, Demetria McKinney also left the series as a recurring cast member . After Leakes' departure, the series became the first Real Housewives franchise to not retain any original cast members as full - time participants . Porsha Williams returned to being a full - time housewife once again, along with newcomer actress Kim Fields . Shereé Whitfield returned to the series but in a recurring capacity, along with new cast member Shamea Morton . Throughout the season Leakes, Hampton, Jordan and McKinney making guest appearances . </P> <P> Burruss gets some exciting news in regard to her pregnancy while Cynthia deals with not so exciting news in regard to a viral video . Kenya takes the first steps to building her home, who happens to be in the same street as Shereè . While Phaedra adjust to being a single mother as Apollo serves his sentence in prison . Kenya seeks the help of newcomer, Kim Fields, with her television Pilot, Life Twirls On and Porsha introduces her new boyfriend, Duke to the group . After last seasons divide between Kandi and Phaedra's friendship, the two meet to confront their issues . During a day on a boat, tensions collide leaving Cynthia and Porsha having physical altercation after the two have bumps in their personal relationships . The ladies take an all cast trip to Miami, along with Cynthia's friend Tammy McCall who clashes with Shereé over the past . During the trip Kim is left feeling uncomfortable and Kenya is accused for stirring the pot . Porsha pursues a new man and 2 of the ladies return to Atlanta . After the trip, Kandi makes music with a friend, former recurring cast member Demetria McKinney . Kenya attempts to reunite with her family during a trip to Detroit . Phaedra hosts a trip to Washington D.C. for her Save Our Sons organization and invites some of the ladies to attend . Kandi pursues another business adventure involving Todd and NeNe Leakes returns to med her friendship with Cynthia . The ladies and their partners, excluding Kandi, head to Jamaica for a getaway and to shoots Cynthia's eyewear commercial where Kim takes a directorial role . To everyone's surprise NeNe attends . Still in Jamaica, tensions arise between Cynthia and Kenya over some thing Kenya has allegedly been saying . Kenya and her new man, Matt, have some time away from the ladies . A row between Kim and Kenya, over things Kenya has been saying forces Cynthia to get involved . Back in Atlanta, Phaedra makes a journey to Apollo who is serving time in prison, to see his sons for the first time since being incarcerated . Kandi is left not knowing who she can trust after the federal agents come to her home in search of Apollo's assets . Porsha takes the first steps into preserving her fertility . Unseen footage of the season is shown during the reunion of Porsha engaging in another physical altercation outside of the final party . </P> <Ul> <Li> Cynthia: "Seasons may change, but Cynthia Bailey never goes out of style ." </Li> <Li> Kandi: "I'm a hitmaker, and this year I will reveal the best one ." </Li> <Li> Kenya: "Don't come for me, unless I twirl for you ." </Li> <Li> Kim: "Faith, family and career--those are the facts of my life ." </Li> <Li> Phaedra: "Only God can judge me, and he seems quite impressed ." </Li> <Li> Porsha: "I'm about to give you life, so stay out of my way!" </Li> </Ul> <Li> Cynthia: "Seasons may change, but Cynthia Bailey never goes out of style ." </Li>

The real housewives of atlanta season 8 cast