Drama Pays! NeNe Snags Staggering $500K Raise For 'RHOA' — Salary Now Tops $2.5M

NeNe Leakes thinks she is the number one reason viewers tune into the Real Housewives of Atlanta, and apparently Bravo bosses agree! RadarOnline.com has exclusively learned that she's been offered $2.5 million to return next season.

"NeNe is always a ratings plus for the show," a insider explained. "And the producers want to make sure the show stays strong. The reason it stays strong is NeNe, so they're throwing money at her."

The RHOA reunion show is still airing, but the source told RadarOnline.com that Bravo execs want to ensure that Leakes continues to be a part of the show, because their new casting didn't pan out this season.

"Kim Fields was not good," the insider insisted. "The show needed NeNe to make her interesting, and they know that."

But the savvy businesswoman, who was a stripper over 20 years ago, knows how to play the game.

"NeNe always holds out for as much money as she can get," the source told RadarOnline.com.

"She will string the Bravo people along forever in order to cash in. She's no dummy."

Do you think NeNe deserves such a huge raise? Sound off in the comments below.