'Real Housewives of Atlanta' news: Sheree replaces Nene

Sheree rejoins cast of "Real Housewives of Atlanta" season 8.Facebook/Bravo

An original cast member is set to rejoin the upcoming season of Bravo's "Real Housewives of Atlanta." Sheree Whitfield will reportedly replace Nene Leakes who announced her intention to leave the reality series early July.

The 45-year-old has been rumored to return to the show as early as May. Real Mr. Housewife claimed that Bravo has been persistently wooing her to make a comeback. Fans have also expressed interest in a possible team-up between her and Nene, which unfortunately, is not meant to be due to the latter's conflicting schedule. Nene revealed via Twitter that she is slated to join ABC's new primetime series "To Tell the Truth," alongside Betty White and Anthony Anderson.

Sheree appeared as a full-time housewife until 2012. She left the show claiming that she was 'tired of the fighting and cattiness.' She made headlines in the past when she pulled off Kim Zolciak's wig in season 2. During the fourth installment, she was fighting with her ex-husband, former National Football League (NFL) player Bob Whitfield, over child support.

TMZ reports that Sheree has finalized her contract with the network, along with another former cast member Marlo Hampton. Both the women were present during the launch party for cast member Cynthia Bailey's eyewear line last Aug. 7. Fans saw this as a confirmation that she would indeed be joining the housewives for season 8. Unfortunately, it appears that even though filming has yet to start, the girls are already engaged in catfights.

Entertainment Tonight Online reports that during the affair, a fight first broke out among Porsha Williams, Hampton, and Bailey's husband, Peter. Not long after, Sheree and Kenya were at each other's throat, culminating with one throwing water at the other. The other housewives, Kandi Burruss and Phaedra Parks, were also in attendance but they steered clear of the drama.

Although several sources have already verified her return, Sheree has yet to confirm or deny her addition to the cast of the reality show.