Real Housewives of Atlanta Alum NeNe Leakes Defends Former Costar Kim Zolciak After Son KJs Arrest

NeNe Leakes is standing up for fellow Housewife Kim Zolciak amid her teenage son Kroy “KJ” Biermann Jr.’s arrest on allegations of sexual assault and sex with a minor female relative.

“Everybody parents differently,” Leakes, 58, told TMZ on Tuesday, September 15. “As a mom, I’m just sure she’s not OK. We’ve texted together, that’s it.”

Leakes, who was part of the original cast of The Real Housewives of Atlanta with Zolciak 48, added that she had no message for online haters who have publicly speculated about the allegations against 15-year-old KJ.

Leakes recently opened up about how Zolciak, who shares KJ with former NFL player Kroy Biermann, is coping amid her son’s indictment on charges of aggravated child molestation, aggravated sexual battery, aggravated sodomy, false imprisonment and three counts of sexual battery against a child under the age of 16. (Us confirmed earlier this month that KJ was released on a $200,000 bond subject to 24-hour pretrial house arrest ahead of his October 14 arraignment.)

Related: Kim Zolciak, Daughter Brielle Dodge Reporters at KJ’s Sexual Battery Hearing

Kim Zolciak and her daughter Brielle Biermann avoided reporters’ questions while leaving 15-year-old son Kroy “KJ” Biermann Jr.’s sexual battery hearing. Footage obtained by TMZ showed Zolciak, 48, and Brielle, 29, in matching black dresses and sunglasses as they were approached by the media outside Fulton County Superior Court in Atlanta on Friday, September 11. […]

“I just hit her up, wanting to know how she’s doing, congratulating her on [her daughter] Brielle [Biermann] and making sure she was OK with what her son is dealing with — I know that’s a tough time and I know she’s not OK,” Leakes said during an appearance on the Friday, September 11, episode of the “Big Tigger Morning Show.” (Zolciak also shares son Kash, 14, and twins Kaia and Kane, 12, with Kroy, 41. She welcomed daughters Brielle, 29, and Ariana, 24, in previous relationships.)

Leakes continued, “I wanted to reach out. And I did, OK? I reach out to a lot of these girls. We just reach out to each other. But we’re not in contact on the daily basis.”

Zolciak previously released a statement to Us on August 21 addressing KJ’s arrest. “The allegations being made against my son are nothing short of reckless and deeply troubling,” she wrote at the time. “He categorically denies ever being involved with this woman or engaging in the conduct she has alleged. My son voluntarily took a polygraph examination regarding these allegations and passed. Additionally, an examination was conducted, and no DNA belonging to my son was found.”

Thank You!

You have successfully subscribed.

According to Deputy District Attorney Caitlin McGillicuddy, KJ’s arrest led investigators to the discovery of phone footage that showed him and an unidentified family member under the age of 12 engaging in sexual activity. Prosecutors claimed, authorities allegedly also found evidence of “multiple encounters” where KJ used “predatory [and] derogatory” language toward the victim.

KJ has not publicly addressed the latest accusations, but his lawyer told TMZ on Friday, “The characterizations made in court regarding the prior juvenile matter involving KJ Biermann grossly misrepresent both the facts and the ultimate resolution of that case.”

If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)