By RODNEY HO/ rho@ajc.com, originally filed Tuesday, September 1, 2015
TMZ broke news today that Bravo's "Real Housewives of Atlanta" cameras captured a fight between Porsha Williams and Cynthia Bailey that landed Porsha in the hospital.
I was able to confirm the story with a source who was on the set that day, which was a boat. "Real Housewives" is in the middle of filming season eight, which is going to return next month.
What was the original argument that led to the fight is fuzzy.
Clearly, the person who leaked the story to TMZ favored Cynthia. It said Porsha used the B-word toward Cynthia and Cynthia walked away. But when Porsha went over to Cynthia, Cynthia got angry and kicked her in the gut. My source said Porsha was trying to apologize, not make things worse.
Producers got Porsha away from Cynthia before anything else could happen. Cynthia was wearing stilettos so Porsha was injured enough to go to the hospital.
I presume we'll have to wait until the episode airs midway through season eight to know for sure.
This is the second physical confrontation Porsha has been involved in on the show. Last year, during the season six reunion show, Kenya Moore (who is friends now with Cynthia) antagonized Porsha, who then attacked Kenya. Kenya was not injured but had Porsha arrested.
Will Porsha press charges against Cynthia? Porsha did file a police report but it's unclear if she will pursue the case any further.
Cynthia, who now runs a modeling agency, was a rather meek figure when she joined the show but last season, she began showing more backbone and befriended Kenya as her relationship with NeNe Leakes fell apart. NeNe is no longer with the show. Cynthia also had an icy relationship with Porsha.
If anything, it appears Porsha's return to full-time status is looking more likely. The fact she has a boyfriend doesn't hurt.
I'm also told "Facts of Life" star Kim Fields is almost certain to be a new full-time member of the cast. Bravo should be announcing the official cast soon. Another question mark: will Sheree Whitfield merely be a guest or regain her cast member status?
Question: will Bravo punish Cynthia for physical violence? It appeared Porsha last year may have been demoted partly because of her fight with Kenya.
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