The reunion finale for "The Real Housewives of Atlanta" ended in tears of emotion for Nene Leakes as her fellow co-stars did their best to console her.
Leakes broke into uncontrollable tears when the conversation switched to her abandonment issues as a child. The group's therapist Dr. Jeff Gardere recognized those issues may have been the cause of her abrupt exit at the women's group session earlier this season.
"I knew about your issues of abandonment," Gardere explained to Leakes. "She has been abandoned. ... Your pain is part of your power."
The 47-year-old actress then revealed to the group her disappointing family history.
"My mother didn't raise me ... my father never claimed me," Leakes said. "I have been lied to, I have been cheated on, I have been in an abusive relationship."
Unlike the shouting match that became their last session together, the other housewives tried to console the emotionally distraught Leakes.
"I cannot imagine growing up without my mother," Cynthia Bailey shared. "You are so blessed, you are so talented. You made it."
Kenya Moore added, "We have a lot more in common than you even want to admit."
The conversation simply overwhelmed Leakes, and she made a quick exit from the stage.
"I can't talk about my mom... I can't talk about my mom," she said as exited from the stage, escorted by Gardere and her fellow housewives.
Leakes eventually returned and spoke about why she has never brought up her parents previously.
"Maybe I have been misunderstood. People think I haven't been through anything in my life. And I don't talk about some of those things... it's hard to talk about my mom and dad," she said. "[I wanted to] leave them in the past. Don't look back."
Leakes' husband Gregg explained to Andy Cohen the circumstances of his wife's childhood and what may have led to her abandonment issues.
"Her mom had five children when she was young... she couldn't care for all of them... and she sent her and her brother to be raised by her aunt," Gregg said. "She's always wondered why she was the one to be sent away."
Leakes has not confirmed her return to season eight of "The Real Housewives of Atlanta."
