While “Real Housewives of Atlanta” alum Kim Zolciak teased her upcoming return to the franchise in a new image with her co-stars. One of those co-stars is giving an update on Kim’s well-being.
via: Page Six
Shereé Whitfield is sharing a hopeful update about her good pal Kim Zolciak as she navigates a messy divorce from estranged husband Kroy Biermann.
“She’s dealing with a lot. She has a lot of kids and is just really trying to be strong for the kids,” the “Real Housewives of Atlanta” star, 53, says of her former castmate on an upcoming episode of Page Six’s “Virtual Reali-Tea” podcast.
“But at the same time, you’re going through so much. And I was there with her,” she continues, acknowledging her own public divorce from Bob Whitfield in 2007.
“I’ve done it before. It’s not fun and it’s not easy.”
Biermann, 37, filed for divorce from Zolciak on May 5 after 11 years of marriage.
They share six kids: Kroy Jagger, 11, Kash, 10, and 9-year-old twins Kane and Kaia, plus Zolciak’s eldest daughters, Brielle, 26, and Ariana Biermann, 21, whom the former athlete adopted as minors.
A source told Page Six at the time that Zolciak wanted to divorce Kroy “months” prior, but he beat her to the courthouse.
Shereé — who served as a bridesmaid to Zolciak in her Nov. 11, 2011, televised wedding to the retired NFL player — tells us that she never thought the pair would part ways.
“I didn’t see it coming. I absolutely did not see it coming. I imagined Kim and Kroy old and grandkids and never breaking up,” she explains.
“I don’t think anyone saw that coming. They just seemed like the perfect couple, so I have talked to her and I know she’s going through it. It’s a tough time, especially when it’s so much and being public. It’s hard.”
News of Zolciak and Kroy’s separation came on May 8, mere hours after TMZ reported that they owe the IRS more than $1 million.
Insiders previously told Page Six that tension had been mounting for some time as the duo — who previously fronted their own Bravo reality show, “Don’t Be Tardy” — allegedly dealt with more financial hardships behind closed doors.
In the wake of their breakup, Kroy has accused Zolciak of having a “gambling problem” and “spending substantial time and marital funds” on her alleged hobby.
Kroy also alleged in a police report that she punched him in the back of the head during a heated altercation last month. However, he did not have visible injuries and declined medical attention. He declined to press charges.
Zolciak subsequently shared a cryptic post about manipulative people with “toxic” qualities.
“Manipulation is when they blame you for your reaction to their toxic behavior,” the quote, which she posted to her Instagram Stories on May 24, read, “but never discuss their disrespect that triggered you.”
Adding to their present discord, Zolciak and Kroy have each requested sole legal and physical custody of their children.
On Friday, the “Tardy for the Party” singer seemingly relayed to fans that she’s ready to move on by dropping “Biermann” from her Instagram handle.
Still, Shereé teases that it may not be over for Zolciak and Kroy.
“Just because you filed — because we … saw the love they had for each other — that doesn’t mean that it’s over,” she explains. “I don’t know if they’ve had counseling. I don’t know how far they’ve gone. I just don’t want to see it over for them two.”
Shereé — who is currently romantically attached to “Love & Marriage: Hunstville” hunk Martell Holt — adds, “I think sometimes you can work through it.”
As Zolciak’s divorce rages on in the public eye, “RHOA” viewers are anticipating her upcoming cameo in Season 15. She left the hit Bravo reality show after five consecutive seasons in 2012.
“We always have a good time,” Shereé teases. “I can’t say too much, but you’ll see fun Kim!”
In the midst of filming her unscripted family series from 2012 until 2020, Zolciak returned as a “friend of the Housewives” in “Atlanta” Season 10 — during which she memorably sparred with mainstays NeNe Leakes and Kandi Burruss.
According to Shereé, it’s time for Zolciak to reclaim her pitch. “We all know Kim Zolciak is good TV,” she asserts.
“The Real Housewives of Atlanta” airs Sundays at 8 p.m. ET on Bravo.
