The Real Housewives of Atlanta stars NeNe Leakes and Phaedra Parks are opening up about their ongoing contact with their former costar Kim Zolciak after her son, Kroy Jagger “KJ” Biermann Jr., was accused of felony sexual battery and sodomy.
“We talked. We texted, maybe right when it happened,” Leakes, 58, exclusively told Us on Saturday, October 10, while celebrating National prEP Day at The Abbey in West Hollywood. “Right when it happened, we texted, and I text her because I’m a mom. She’s a mom. And I know the parent always get it.”
She continued, “But sometimes, as parents, we’re trying to prevent these kids from doing certain things, and they would just do it anyway. And I just wanted to reach out to her and just say, ‘Hang in there.’”
Us confirmed on Monday, October 5, that Zolciak‘s 15-year-old son pleaded not guilty to seven felony charges, including sexual battery and sodomy. Biermann was arrested in August for his role in an alleged incident with an unidentified minor female at a local gym. He was subsequently indicted on charges of aggravated child molestation, aggravated sexual battery, aggravated sodomy, false imprisonment and three counts of sexual battery against a child under the age of 16.
Following the arrest, investigators discovered footage on Biermann’s phone that allegedly showed him and an unidentified family member under the age of 12 engaging in sexual activity, according to Deputy District Attorney Caitlin McGillicuddy. Prosecutors also allegedly found evidence of “multiple encounters” where Biermann used “predatory [and] derogatory” language toward the victim. Biermann has not publicly addressed the latest accusations.
“The allegations being made against my son are nothing short of reckless and deeply troubling. He categorically denies ever being involved with this woman or engaging in the conduct she has alleged,” Zolciak, 48, said in a statement to Us after her son’s arrest. “My son voluntarily took a polygraph examination regarding these allegations and passed. Additionally, an examination was conducted, and no DNA belonging to my son was found.”
Zolciak, who shares KJ and his siblings Kash, Kaia and Kane with her estranged husband Kroy Biermann, continued at the time, “False accusations can have devastating consequences not only for the person being accused, but also for genuine survivors of sexual assault and abuse. Every legitimate allegation deserves to be taken seriously and investigated based on the facts and evidence. At the same time, no one should be publicly condemned based solely on an accusation. We remain confident that the facts and evidence will establish the truth, and we ask that people allow the proper process to take its course rather than spreading unproven allegations.” (Zolciak is also mom to Brielle Biermann and Ariana Biermann, who Kroy later adopted.)
“We have spoke. Yep, we have spoke,” Parks, 52, exclusively told Us on Saturday of her contact with Zolciak in the wake of the allegations.
“We text, and you know, Kim is very resilient,” she continued. “I love Kim. We were on the show together, but outside of that, we’re both mothers. And so as a mother, and I have sons… I empathize with her and my prayers are with her.”
Parks added, “But I’ve extended every amount of support that I can for Kim, because, you know, no one knows anything. You’re innocent until proven guilty. That’s our judicial system here, and I think sometimes with social media, people are obviously adjudicating cases that have not been heard by the courts.”
If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).
