Cynthia Bailey is swapping reality TV shenanigans for serious roles in the pursuit of inner peace and her next chapter, which includes unleashing her acting muscles for the first time in her career.
Since shocking fans with the news that she will not be returning for the 14th season of “The Real Housewives of Atlanta,” the former cast member has been booked and busy. Although her decision to leave the show was partly motivated by a desire to protect her marriage to Mike Hill, the model acknowledges that finding a new job was also a top goal when she left “RHOA.“
“Once I decided to leave ‘Housewives,’ the focus became on finding me another job [laughs]. That’s part of the next chapter,” she told Essence. “You talk about this next chapter, then you have to start writing [it]. So my focus was to just be out in L.A. with my kids and my husband and focus on work. It’s been great, honestly. I didn’t think doors would open up as quickly as they did. I kind of feel like I need a break, to be honest. It’s been overwhelmingly amazing, the response that I’ve gotten and the opportunities coming my way.”
Bailey, who has a regular part as Ndasia on BET’s “Games People Play” and appeared in Peacock’s “The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip,” is just as interested as her fans in seeing where her acting career takes her. “Until now, I’ve never focused on acting.” “As a reality star, you simply play yourself,” she remarked, adding, “I’m excited to see how far I go with this because I’m truly loving this portion of my life.” I’m having so much fun with my role that if I ever want to be embroiled in some drama, it’ll be because of him.”
Unlike the reality TV format that nearly drove her to her “breaking point,” Bailey’s growing acting career fits within the “peace bubble” she’s established for her life.
“I’m no longer pulled out of the peace bubble, I just get to focus on things that I want to do, that I enjoy doing, being able to work in a different way that isn’t drama-based. I’ll just say that,” she shared. “That alone, just taking that out of the equation gave me peace.”
“It’s been 11 years, and I love being a part of ‘The Real Housewives of Atlanta,’ and I’ll never say I’ll never ever consider going back,” she continued. “I loved being a part of the ‘Girls Trip.’ But I think everybody needs a break sometimes, and I wanted to take a break before I got to my breaking point. And just reboot and reset and be in my peace. That’s where I am now, and it feels great.”
Now that her time as a “housewife” is over, The Bailey Wine Cellar owner can focus on her family with her husband’s help.
In October, she told “Page Six” that “Mike is supportive in either case.” “However, I believe he is extremely happy for me to be on television in other ways, something that isn’t as dramatic.”
