Was Phaedra Parks fired from Real Housewives of Atlanta?

Rumor has it that Phaedra Parks has been fired from the show for spreading rape rumors last season.

The ninth season of Real Housewives of Atlanta is officially over with the airing of the fourth and final part of the reunion show and boy, was it a wild ride. Already, we have rumors that the repercussions of the drama are very real – and at least one Housewife will not be returning for season 10. TMZ reports that Phaedra Parks has been fired from the show for spreading rumors accusing fellow cast members of premeditated rape.

It all came out in the last reunion show. Phaedra had told Porsha Williams that Kandi Burruss and Todd Tucker planned to drug Porsha and take advantage of her sexually back at their home. In other words, that Kandi and Todd planned to rape Porsha. The clip never made it to air because Kandi threatened Bravo and Bravo, it would appear, was not in the mood for a defamation lawsuit. When pressed on the reunion show to reveal where she, Phaedra, had heard the rumor, it was implied that Phaedra had made up the accusation herself.

Conniving, gossiping (lying) and generating story lines is part and parcel of the game, show and or reality of Real Housewives. But still, it appears that Bravo believes Phaedra crossed a line. Which is fair, allegations of rape and intent to rape should not be taken lightly.

However, it is not that simple – gossip, lies and criminal accusation rarely is. In an additional report, TMZ quotes Phaedra claiming the RHOA producers told her the rumor and she explained as much on the reunion show – but it was edited out. Per TMZ:

"The producer didn’t necessarily tell her to repeat it with cameras rolling, but we’re told Phaedra explained the producer’s role during the reunion show. She’s also angry because that was edited out of the reunion to make it look like she acted alone."

Phaedra believes then that she was fired not for spreading the rumor, but for “throwing the producers under the bus.”

Neither Bravo nor Parks has made an official statement, though Bustle notes that Phaedra has removed language on her social media profiles identifying her as a cast member.

In any case, it doesn’t look like Phaedra Parks will be gracing screens on RHOA. That said, it’s hard to believe this will be the last we hear and see of her in the celebrity sphere.