NeNe Leakes Opens Up About Son Bryson's Drug Arrest: A Mother's Unwavering Support Amidst Adversity
NeNe Leakes’ son Bryson Bryant's recent arrest for possession of a schedule II controlled substance prompts a heartfelt response from the reality star, who acknowledges her limited control over the situation
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NeNe Leakes knows her son Bryson Bryant is struggling — but he has to be the one to make a change.
In a preview clip of her upcoming podcast episode titled "Reality With the King," former Real Housewives of Atlanta star NeNe, aged 55, addressed Bryson's recent arrest. The episode was released on Monday, July 24, and NeNe broke her silence on the matter. According to documents obtained by us, Bryson, aged 31, was arrested in Lawrenceville, Georgia earlier this month on multiple charges. These charges include violating probation, possession of a schedule II controlled substance, loitering/prowling, and providing false information to a law enforcement officer. Bryson is alleged to have impersonated his younger half-brother, Brentt Leakes.
Regarding the situation, NeNe expressed that Bryson is in need of rehabilitation and extensive counseling. She discussed this matter with podcast host Carlos King during the footage, which will be released on Tuesday, July 25.
"He has been battling with an addiction for years," she expressed, mentioning that Bryson has attended rehabilitation programs and experienced relapses on multiple occasions. "As a mother, it is difficult to witness. My hands are tied. He is a 31-year-old adult with three wonderful children whom I deeply love. He also has a wife. There is only so much I can do."
NeNe emphasized that it is crucial for the individual struggling with addiction to be personally prepared for a transformation — it cannot be accomplished by a family member or loved one.
"I have invested a significant amount of money to guide Bryson on his chosen path, but each time I bid him farewell, I would remind him, 'You are willingly embarking on this journey while we support you.' However, after seeking counseling for myself, I came to realize that it is crucial for Bryson to declare, 'I am prepared to undertake this endeavor,' rather than me compelling him to do so," NeNe revealed. "Therefore, until Bryson genuinely desires to initiate a transformation, my hands are tied, and there is little I can intervene."
Bryson Bryant, photographed by SplashNews.com, is a reality star who has two children. She shares Bryson with her ex Calvin Bryant, and she has a son named Brentt, who is 23 years old, with her late husband Gregg Leakes. She admitted feeling somewhat emotionally detached from Bryson's problems because they have been recurring for a long period of time.
In a 2012 episode of RHOA, NeNe garnered attention when she chose not to assist Bryson in obtaining release from jail following his arrest for stealing razors from a nearby Wal-Mart.
During this period, Bryson was already on probation, which further exacerbated NeNe's anger. Speaking at the time, she declared, "Having enjoyed a life of privilege, I am determined to acquaint him with the hardships of life. He will remain incarcerated, as I refuse to provide him with assistance, allowing him to find his own path from behind bars."
In the Monday preview clip, King directly asked NeNe about the impact of being on the show since his teenage years on his drug abuse. "I don't believe it necessarily helped, but I also don't believe it was the only factor," NeNe replied. She elaborated that her fame and participation on RHOA brought unwanted attention to her sons.
If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
