She says in a statement first reported by People magazine that “after much consideration, I have made the personal decision to step away from RHOD. Getting to share my wedding with the viewers last year brought me tremendous joy however, the season was very personally challenging for me.”
Whereas Locken was once a lovable loose cannon on the first three seasons, the fourth season turned her into a villain. She ended season 4 by being called racist by most of her fellow females. She clashed with new cast member Kary Brittingham and called her “a little chirpy Mexican" and other slurs throughout the fourth season. Brittingham was the first Mexican cast on the show.
In the finale of Real Housewives of Dallas, host Andy Cohen revealed that most of the cast members believed Locken’s words toward Brittingham would be edited out of each episode — but, of course, they were not. Locken was held accountable for them and grilled by Cohen on what he called a “series of errors.”
Locken apologized many times on the finale. “It was a mistake. I was ignorant. I have educated myself. And moving forward, I know that this is wrong," she said on TV.Reps at Bravo won’t comment on the Real Housewives of Dallas’ future plans for cast members. But they did share Locken’s statement, which confirms she’s done with the reality TV show.
“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," Locken says.
We don’t yet know which cast members will return for Season 5 — and Bravo won’t officially confirm that the season is happening. But Locken’s departure puts the drama-obsessed show in a bind: They’re losing their most controversial character.Let’s look at the remaining cast members from Season 4. There’s Stephanie Hollman, whose sweetness is contagious — but who isn’t always willing to rock the boat. Her best friend Brandi Redmond, a former Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader, has some fire to her but more recently had been known for her storylines about adopting a baby while coping with the stresses of raising a tween girl. Beauty CEO D’Andra Simmons is often seen arguing with her tight-fisted mother “Mama Dee” Simmons over her trust. There’s Dallas socialite Kameron Westcott, who comes with a fabulous pink wardrobe but is far too proper to speak out of turn. (Last season, she threw a napkin: Her greatest offense to date.) And then there’s Brittingham, whose spunk may bring some drama to the show but who also seems to be relatable and genuine, despite that $5 Million Highland Park Mansion and the compound in Mexico.Locken’s departure from Real Housewives of Dallas might leave it without those catty storylines that makes reality TV so hard to turn off. But it also means one fewer celebrity being given the spotlight after behaving very badly.
Locken’s calendar is already stocked. Her future plans include being photographed for Sophisticated Weddings magazine’s June issue, in celebration of her one-year anniversary with husband Rich Emberlin. She continues to be involved with the North Texas Suicide & Crisis Center, Ally’s Wish, Legal Hospice and other charities. She’ll be at the Round-Up Saloon on March 4 as a celebrity judge at a Stoli cocktail tour; acting as an honorary chair at Boots & Blessings on April 18; and emceeing Fashion Cited: A Style Event with her buddy Steve Kemble on April 25, says a spokeswoman.“Most importantly, now that she isn’t committed to filming RHOD, she and Rich will finally going on their honeymoon!” the spokeswoman says via email.
“As far as another TV show, it’s what LeeAnne does," she hinted. "Stay tuned...”.More photos below.
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