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Bravo’s Andy Cohen reacts to the shocking news that Porsha Williams filed for divorce ahead of her return to RHOA for season 16.
During Monday’s live episode of SiriusXM’s Andy Cohen Live, host Andy Cohen reacted to Porsha Williams filing for divorce.
“[I] wanted to talk a little Housewives news. First of all, Porsha announced last week that she is leaving Simon, and I gotta tell you something: I was saying to the other producers of Atlanta, when the news started breaking about Simon and some of his immigration issues, I was like, “This is not…” Andy Cohen explained, adding that this isn’t anything Bravo or RHOA producers saw coming.
He continued: “I was so surprised. None of us knew any of this was on the horizon, and this was meant to be Porsha’s happily ever after kind of victory lap season, so it’s just that I was so surprised and taken aback, and listen, we wanted Porsha on the show for Porsha.”
“We would take Porsha married, single, picking up the pieces of her life, on high, on low; however she wants, you know; however, she’s gonna be. But we didn’t know, and this is a big right turn from the story that I think all of us thought we would be telling, so sending love to Porsha,” the Watch What Happens Live host concluded.
On Friday, the news broke that Porsha Williams‘ marriage to Nigerian-born businessman Simon Guobadia ended after less than two years of marriage.
The RHOA star filed for divorce from Guobadia on Thursday in Atlanta, per court documents obtained by PEOPLE.
This news comes on the heels of online rumors concerning Guobadia’s citizenship. Per the Atlanta Black Star, Guobadia was reportedly denied permanent citizenship in America due to having a criminal record. Guobadia allegedly pleaded guilty to felony bank fraud and credit card fraud in 1987.
Since 1982, Guobadia has bounced back and forth from the United States and Nigeria as he attempted to gain his US citizenship.
Despite the possibility of Guobadia being deported, a source tells PEOPLE that the divorce is “unrelated to recent allegations involving Simon’s past.”
The 42-year-old Bravoleb star wed the 59-year-old in November 2022 in Atlanta. The two held a traditional Nigerian ceremony followed by an American-style wedding.
After a month of dating, Porsha and Guobadia announced their engagement in May 2021.
Guobadia was previously married to Porsha co-star and friend Falynn Pina from 2019-2021. Before Falynn, Guobadia was married to Karron English, who he met after moving to the United States in the 1980s.
As for Porsha, she was married to Kordell Stewart from 2011-2013. She shares her 4-year-old daughter Pilar with ex-boyfriend Dennis McKinley.
Earlier this month, Porsha announced her return to RHOA for season 16. She also signed a deal with NBCUniversal for “scripted project opportunities across the company’s broadcast and streaming properties.”
“I’m incredibly thankful for the vision and faith NBCUniversal has put in me to be a larger part of their family,” she said in a statement. “I’m looking forward to being back on The Real Housewives of Atlanta and showing the world my new world!”
The fan-favorite starred on RHOA for nine seasons before announcing her exit from the franchise in September 2021. She joined the RHOA cast during season 6 in 2013.
The Real Housewives of Atlanta is expected to return for season 16 in 2024.
