One ofThe Real Housewives of Dallas‘ most recognizable stars won’t be returning for the show’s upcoming fifth season.
LeeAnne Locken, who has been a full-time cast member on the Bravo series since its premiere in April 2016, has exited the show, PEOPLE can exclusively report.
“The last four years have been a trolley-slapping good time but after much consideration, I have made the personal decision to step away fromRHOD,” Locken, 52, said in a statement.
“Getting to share my wedding with the viewers last year brought me tremendous joy, however, the season was very personally challenging for me,” she continued. “I am looking forward to stepping away from the cameras and spending quality time with my husband and friends, traveling, but most importantly, getting back to philanthropy, which was my main reason for joining the show.”
“Thank you to everyone who has laughed and cried with me along the way,” Locken added. “It’s been an amazing journey, and yes my pantyliner is still exhausted. There are so many exciting things on my horizon that I can’t wait to share with you.”
Tommy Garcia/Bravo
The Texas native spent her childhood and adolescence working in the carnival circuit alongside her mother every summer. From there, she launched herself into a successful career as a model, even landing a spot in the top 10 in the 1989 Miss USA Pageant. In addition to modeling, Locken found gigs as an actress. Among her many television projects werea series of commercialsand guest roles onGCBandWalker, Texas Ranger.
She also famously starred on the big screen alongside Sandra Bullock as one of the beauty pageant contestants (Kelly Beth Kelley, a.k.a. Miss Nebraska) in the 2000 comedyMiss Congeniality.
OnRHOD, Locken gave the show some of its most talked-about moments thanks to her bold personality and fiery temper.
In season 1, Locken got into a heated argument with her costars at a charity event that ended with her knocking a cameraman out of the way (and a slapping a passing trolley car) before taking off barefoot down the street. The scene undoubtedly putRHODon the map, becoming as synonymous with the show asTeresa Giudice‘s table flip is toThe Real Housewives of New Jersey.
Other verbal spats over the years involving Locken led to some of the most famous quotes lines inHousewiveshistory, including “My weave is exhausted,” “Bitch, you and I ain’t never gonna be friends” (which came with a notable glass break), and “They’re just hands, but they work quite well” — a line that surfaced during a hot mic moment.
But they haven’t all been that dramatic. In season 2,Locken and longtime love Rich Emberlin, 57, got engaged, with the couple of over 10 years walking down the aisle two years later in anextravagant and romantic wedding. The episode, which aired in November duringRHOD‘s fourth season, ended up beingthe season’s highest-rated.
She’s used her platform on the show to highlight her other philanthropic efforts, spreading awareness about AIDS activism, LGBTQ issues, animal rights and the dangers of sexual trafficking.
Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images
At theRHODreunion, Locken took responsibility for her words — which included calling the Mexican-born Brittingham a “chirpy Mexican” — and vowed to never say them again.
“I know every bone in my body, and I knowI don’t have a single bone that believes in discrimination,” Locken said. “I believe in inclusion.”
She and Brittingham have since reconciled.
Season 5 ofRHODis expected to begin filming soon. Bravo has no official word on casting.
In addition to Locken and Brittingham, last season includedBrandi Redmond,Stephanie Hollman, Kameron Westcott and D’Andra Simmons.
source: people.com
