NeNe Leakes has contacted her former Real Housewives of Atlanta rival Kim Zolciak to ask how she is coping with allegations against her 15-year-old son, Kroy ‘KJ’ Biermann Jr.
Leakes said she reached out to Zolciak last week, but concluded that the reality star was “not okay” as KJ faces seven felony charges connected to an alleged sexual assault involving an underage girl.
“I recently spoke to Kim. I think it was last week. I just hit her up, wanted to know how she was doing, and made sure she was okay with what her son is dealing with,” Leakes said during an appearance on the Big Tigger Morning Show.
“I know that’s a tough time and I know she’s not okay. So I just wanted to reach out and I did.”
The pair famously clashed during their time on The Real Housewives of Atlanta, but Leakes said she remained in contact with several former and current cast members.
Asked whether she considered Zolciak a friend, Leakes replied: “I’m cool with Kim. Friend, when you say the word friend, that’s just a real serious word to me so I just, you know… Friend, no, associates, yes.”
She said she could still call a number of former castmates, including Porsha Williams, K Michelle, Sheree Whitfield, Kandi Burruss, Kenya Moore, Marlo Hampton and Cynthia Bailey.
“We don’t have a beef but we’re not as close as people think we are,” Leakes added.
Zolciak has previously acknowledged the complicated history between the two women, saying they had occasionally exchanged messages and were “always in a great place when they’re not working together”.
KJ was arrested on March 17 and later indicted on seven felony charges, including aggravated child molestation and aggravated sodomy. Police said an incident took place on April 23 in a changing area at a Life Time Fitness gym in Alpharetta, Georgia.
During a bond hearing, prosecutors said investigators had found videos on KJ’s mobile phone showing sexual encounters involving a family member aged under 12. Deputy District Attorney Caitlin McGillicuddy alleged that KJ used “predatory” and “derogatory” language during the recorded encounters.
His defence lawyer, Jason Sheffield, said the case involved “inappropriate, crude behavior involving two middle-schoolers” and did not result in an adjudication for statutory rape, sexual intercourse or a comparable offence.
A judge granted KJ a 200,000-dollar bond, with conditions including house arrest, electronic monitoring, no contact with minors, no digital devices or social media, virtual schooling and restrictions on travel. His next court appearance is scheduled for October 14.
Zolciak has denied the allegations on her son’s behalf, saying he “categorically denies ever being involved with this woman or engaging in the conduct she has alleged”. She added that he had voluntarily taken and passed a polygraph examination and that no DNA belonging to him had been found.
