JURASSIC SNARK

RHOA: NeNe vs. Kim — A Friendship Goes Extinct 🦖

There are Housewives arguments, there are Housewives meltdowns, and then there are moments that become part of the geological record of reality television. NeNe Leakes allegedly grabbing Kim Zolciak by the neck is firmly in the third category.

Ah, the early days of Atlanta. Before everyone had a podcast, a business empire, and a carefully curated social media presence, we had two women, a friendship hanging by a thread, and enough resentment to fuel an entire season.

Kim and NeNe started out as friends. Well, Housewives friends, which is a little like saying dinosaurs and mammals were peacefully coexisting. Technically possible, but somebody was eventually going to get eaten.

And these two had been circling each other for quite some time.

First, a little history, because this is where things get interesting.

The friendship started falling apart over the usual Housewives trifecta: jealousy, gossip, and a complete inability to let anything go. NeNe believed Kim was talking about her behind her back. Kim, meanwhile, was busy pursuing her musical career, which was about to become another enormous problem.

And then came Tardy for the Party.

NeNe had apparently expected to be part of the musical adventure. Kim and Kandi went ahead with the recording without her, and NeNe was NOT amused.

At Shereé’s Independence Party, NeNe confronted Kim and Kandi about the song. The argument escalated, and the friendship was officially on life support.

And then things got physical.

Here’s an important distinction: the infamous choking incident did NOT happen on camera. It reportedly happened at Atlantic Station in Atlanta while the women were waiting to film a shopping scene.

According to Kim and eyewitness Shereé, NeNe went for Kim’s neck twice. Kim called the police and filed a report. NeNe denied choking her.

Which brings us to the truly fascinating part: we actually get two different versions of the story when the women recount what happened.

Kim described NeNe putting both hands around her throat and pushing her backward. NeNe, meanwhile, admitted she went bananas when discussing the confrontation with Dwight.

Oh, Atlanta. We were so young.

THE JURASSIC VERDICT

This wasn’t just another Housewives friendship gone bad. This was the beginning of one of the franchise’s most entertaining and complicated relationships. Kim and NeNe would continue to fight, reconcile, insult each other, and occasionally pretend they could coexist.

And honestly, I miss the days when a Housewives feud could revolve around a wig, a questionable recording career, and an alleged parking-lot choking incident.

No podcasts required. No apology tour. Just pure, unfiltered Atlanta.

Some friendships don’t survive the Jurassic period.