It appears that Bravo is finally figuring out what season 16 of their venerable show, ‘The Real Housewives of Atlanta is going to look like.

As we already know Kandi was offered a smaller role and declined opted to not return for the SWEET 16 season, Porsha Williams has signed on for the new season but a MAINSTAY has announced she too will not be returning.

Marlo Hampton has made a statement that she has ‘chosen’ to take a break from the show.

The Real Housewives of Atlanta star won’t be returning to the Bravo franchise for season 16, she tells PEOPLE exclusively.

“My contract with Real Housewives of Atlanta ended when season 15 wrapped,” says Hampton. “This break from RHOA is a fresh start, allowing me the space to participate in new creative entertainment projects focused on my future, and not reliving my past.”

She adds: “My nephews are transitioning into pivotal stages of their academic adolescence, and I am focused on my representation in their eyes and getting back to showing my multifaceted lifestyle of philanthropy, fashion, and fabulosity! I am thankful for this amazing platform of Housewives, which has allowed me to bring awareness to foster care, my non-profit Glam It Up, Inc., and showcase my fashion showroom, Le’Archive.”

“I look forward to my continued relationship with Bravo and NBC Universal,” Hampton concludes.

She first appeared on the franchise back in season 4 as a Friend of former cast member NeNe Leakes. The Le’ Archive style maven returned in season 6, 8 and 9 as a guest, and was a Friend again in 10, 11, 12 and 13.

Along the way, Hampton and her shady reads proved to be a fan favorite, leading to a social media campaign demanding she be promoted — something Bravo delivered on in season 14 and 15.

“It’s still surreal to me,” Hampton told PEOPLE back in April 2022, adding that she wouldn’t feel like the role was “really real” until she watched herself on the show. “I have this peach … I’m just excited.”

As excited as she was to be promoted after all those years makes this announcement more interesting. It almost seems as though her departure wasn’t solely her decision. It appears that Bravo is trimming the fat and truly trying to revamp the series after declining ratings for the past few seasons.

At any rate, Hampton had a pretty good run, and we wish her well.