Phaedra Parks may be a reality TV icon today, but when she made her season 3 of Real Housewives of Atlanta debut in 2010, she was an accomplished attorney. Years after Phaedra’s season 9 exit in 2017, she joined the Bravo series Married to Medicine. Considering she isn’t married to a doctor or known to work in the medical field, fans wonder why she was cast for the series.
Why Is Phaedra on ‘Married to Medicine’?
After Phaedra and ex-husband Apollo Nida divorced in 2016, she dabbled in alternative medicine after falling into depression. Amongst other techniques, the Dancing With the Stars alum tried Reiki, a form of energy healing.
“It gave me peace, and, of course, it sounds a little hokey, and I was like ugh will this really work, but I mean I’m always my own test dummy,” Phaedra previously told Bravo. “If I test it on myself and it works, I will unleash it on the world and I am a believer. I know it works.”
After becoming a certified Reiki, Phaedra joined the 10th season of Married to Medicine in 2023.
“I’m a Reiki healer and I’m a mortician and I think you can’t get any closer to living than dying,” she told Us Weekly in March 2024. “The doctors fix somebody and I send them to Jesus. You can’t get any closer to the medicine than what I do on the back end. …. I’m a healer in more ways than one so while they might be doctors, I’m truly the medicine.”
Is Phaedra Parks Still on ‘Married to Medicine’?
Phaedra will appear as a full-time cast member on Married to Medicine season 11, which premieres on November 24, 2024.
“Phaedra Parks, Esq., is busier than ever watching her sons Ayden and Dylan grow up before her eyes as she co-parents with Apollo,” the season 11 description reads, per People. “Phaedra is also working to calm the chaos among the ladies, but when she hosts a glamping girls trip the good vibes go out the window and her efforts to help Dr. Jackie plan the Med Gala take a dramatic turn. With so many tensions running high, will she be able to help bridge their gap?”
In the trailer, Phaedra is seen potentially making her exit after Apollo and his current wife, Sherien Almufti, make a surprise appearance during a cast trip.
“Some people can be played with. But I’m not one of them,” Phaedra tells a castmate in the clip with her bags packed.
Is Phaedra Parks on Other TV Shows?
Phaedra is making her highly-anticipated return to The Real Housewives of Atlanta during the upcoming 16th season, which is set to premiere in 2025.
Phaedra announced the exciting news with first-class luxury as she held a peach while standing in front of a private jet entrance.
“You called. I answered #RHOA #S16,” Phaedra captioned the post.
“When we needed her most, she appeared,” a fan commented under the post.
A second person wrote, “PHAEDRA TWO SHOWS!!!!! That’s how you make a comeback.”