Kim Fields Joins 'Real Housewives of Atlanta'

"Facts of Life" star is the newest housewife following NeNe Leakes' departure.

ByABC News
September 28, 2015, 1:41 PM
The cast of Real Housewives of Atlanta season 8 with feature, Tammy McCall, Kenya Moore, Cynthia Bailey, Kandi Burruss, Porsha Williams, Phaedra Parks Nida, and Kim Fields.
The cast of Real Housewives of Atlanta season 8 with feature, Tammy McCall, Kenya Moore, Cynthia Bailey, Kandi Burruss, Porsha Williams, Phaedra Parks Nida, and Kim Fields.
Mark Hill/Bravo

— -- After months of speculation, it's official: Kim Fields is joining the cast of "Real Housewives of Atlanta."

"I love covering new ground in my career and in life, so here's to something new!" the 46-year-old "Facts of Life" star told ABC News in a statement. "And you all know I'm staying true to myself, no matter what's spinning around me!??"

Fields appears in a new teaser for the upcoming season.

From the looks of things, the actress-turned-director is diving right in.

In the sneak peek, a blonde Fields can be seen greeting her fellow housewives with a "Hello dahlings," dishing advice ("Your husband can't be your best friend") and breaking down into tears ("I've lost myself").

Still, she seems shocked by some of her castmates. "Are we grown-ass women talking like this?" she says in one clip.

Rumors first surfaced in July that Fields would be joining the show. The star called the speculation "intriguing" but her rep told ABC News that there was "actually no deal."

Fields comes on board following the departure of original cast member NeNe Leakes and the return of Sheree Whitfield after a three-year hiatus. She'll be joined by show vets Cynthia Bailey, Kenya Moore, Phaedra Parks, Porsha Willams and mom-to-be Kandi Burruss, as well as fellow newcomer Shamea Morton.

The new season premieres on Bravo Nov. 8.