Nneka Ihim Departs ‘The Real Housewives of Potomac’ After 1 Season

Nneka Ihim formally will not be part of The Real Housewives of Potomac‘s upcoming ninth season.

The 36-year-old lawyer and entrepreneur — who famously boasted in her first episode, “I come as I’m and what I’m, honey, is exceptional” — is exiting the Bravo actuality collection after one season, changing into the third solid member to depart the present since season 8 wrapped.

“I can’t be returning for season 9 of RHOP,” she tells PEOPLE in an unique assertion, amid rumors of her departure.

Her exit comes because the Potomac resident continues on her journey to have a toddler.

“At this level, after a number of failed fertility procedures, I’ve determined to make increasing my household my final precedence,” Nneka says. “Thank you to the followers which have supported me alongside the best way this season, particularly concerning my troublesome IUI turned IVF journey, and the stigma surrounding infertility. All of the type remarks have genuinely stored me uplifted and have fueled my willpower to proceed to share my story.”

She goes on to precise her “honest appreciation to Bravo and Truly Original for the chance,” and notes that she has “constructed lifetime friendships with some unbelievable ladies via this expertise.”

“As a real resident of Potomac correct, 20854, simply know that I’ll be seeing you all once more quickly,” she says.

A primary-generation Nigerian-American, Nneka grew up in Wisconsin and obtained her regulation diploma from the University of Wisconsin. She went on to follow in Los Angeles for almost 10 years.

While there, Nneka met her now-husband Dr. Ikenna Ihim. The two wed in 2021 and moved to Potomac (or as Karen Huger referred to as it, North Potomac) earlier than becoming a member of the present in season 8.

As viewers noticed, the couple have been on a journey to increase their household. “I’ve been attempting to conceive for the previous a number of months, and we haven’t been profitable,” she informed her fellow Potomac Housewives in an episode that aired again in December, noting, “I might love twins, a boy and a woman, and name it a day.”

In the third a part of the reunion, which aired on April 14, Nneka revealed that an intrauterine insemination (IUI) process documented for the RHOP cameras “didn’t yield the outcomes.”

The pair at the moment are attempting in vitro fertilization (IVF). “These girls have all been extremely supportive,” Nneka informed host and RHOP government producer Andy Cohen on the reunion.

As she goes down that path, Nneka has loads to maintain her busy exterior of Housewives.

She works as an in-house employment counsel for a world monetary expertise firm, based her personal alcoholic beverage firm (Bido), runs a nonprofit referred to as A Life of Lux, and spearheaded the event of a courting/social app referred to as Hello Africa.

On RHOP, Nneka butted heads with fellow Nigerian Housewife Dr. Wendy Osefo. The two weren’t capable of patch issues up by the reunion’s finish, sadly.

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In addition to Wendy and Nneka, season 8 of RHOP starred Karen Huger, Gizelle Bryant, Ashely Darby, Mia Thornton, Robyn Dixon and Candiace Dillard Bassett.

Both Dillard Bassett, 37, and Dixon, 45, have introduced their exits from the present, with Dillard Bassett telling PEOPLE on March 25 that she was leaving on her phrases and Dixon revealing on an April 15 episode of her podcast that she was fired.

The Real Housewives of Potomac is now streaming on Peacock.