in 2010, bailey joined the reality television show "the real housewives of atlanta", which featured her relationship with club owner peter thomas and her friendship with nene leakes. she was introduced in the show's third season along with phaedra parks. bailey was initially uncertain about joining the show, describing it as "too dramatic", but changed her mind after viewing it as a business opportunity. she was contacted by bravo shortly after moving to atlanta with thomas; the network said that they "wanted to bring more class to the cast, and feature more women that already had successful careers before the show".