Andy Cohen Explains Porsha Williams’ ‘RHOA’ Demotion

Andy Cohen spoke out about Porsha Williams’ demotion on The Real Housewives of Atlanta. Following news that Williams would be seen only in a recurring role on the show’s upcoming seventh season, the Real Housewives creator came forward, giving details about why Williams is no longer full-time.

When The Inquisitr first reported on the news earlier this month, it was assumed that Williams had lost her spot as a result of the physical altercation she and Kenya Moore had at the season six reunion. However, during a recent “Ask Andy” session, Andy Cohen denied Williams’ demotion was related to the incident.

“It had nothing to do with anything that happened at the reunion last season,”Andy Cohen said, according to an October 11 report by The New Pittsburgh Courier. “Really, it was about the amount of story we got from Porsha this season.”

As The Inquisitr reported on October 5, Williams released a statement about her demotion to E! News shortly after reports hit the web.

“After a long season of filming and giving my all, I was blindsided by the announcement from the network that I was demoted from ‘Housewife Status,'” Williams said in the statement. “Unfortunately, I can only be PORSHA, and portraying anything else would not be genuine nor honest. This is the beginning of a new chapter in my life, and I will be giving my fans & supporters another chance to watch my growth as I take on the world in my own special way very soon! Stay tuned.”

According to Williams she wasn’t expecting the demotion, and Andy Cohen said that’s because he didn’t either. When filming started, Cohen and the rest of the execs at Bravo intended for Williams to be full-time but, after the former wife of NFL star Kordell Stewart failed to deliver the drama, they cut her role.

“We went into it assuming she would be a full housewife, holding a peach,” Cohen said during Ask Andy. “We just haven’t gotten enough to merit that. She’s going to be in it a lot. We love her. I hope she’ll be on Bravo endlessly.”

According to the official cast announcement, which hit the web last month, Williams will be joined on season seven by returning wives: NeNe Leakes, Kandi Burruss, Cynthia Bailey, Phaedra Parks, and Kenya Moore, as well as new cast members Claudia Jordan and Demetria McKinney.

Andy Cohen’s Real Housewives of Atlanta premieres on Sunday, November 9 at 8 p.m. on Bravo.

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