On this season’s Real Housewives of Atlanta, we watch the demise of Phaedra Parks and Apollo Nida’s marriage. After Nida’s been accused of fraud and identity theft, he pleads guilty and must face the music. Last season, we watched Parks and Nida bicker a lot, but this season, the couple are worse than they’ve ever been. Parks has called Nida’s crimes “the ultimate betrayal”, especially because they have two sons together to raise. You can check out a clip from the new season above, where Parks opens up about her husband. Read on for the facts on the couple’s marriage, Nida’s crimes, and how the RHOA season 7 will play out.
1. Cheating Accusations Have Plagued the Couple
When Parks appeared on The Ellen Show, she threw some shade towards fellow RHOA cast member Claudia Jordan. Apparently, there was a rumor going around that Parks was cheating on her husband Apollo Nida with a man named “Chocolate.” That does seem a little crazy … especially the name choice. In the past, Nida was accused of cheating with Parks’ fellow cast-mate and enemy Kenya Moore, who Parks likes to call “Kenya Whore.” There have been text messages and flirting that have gone on in front of the camera, which caused a great deal of speculation and a lot of fights between Parks and Nida over the years. Both Nida and Moore insist that nothing happened between the two of them.
2. Phaedra Parks Has Filed for Divorce from Nida
The same day that Nida checked himself into prison, Parks’ rep Steve Honig released the statement that she was filing for divorce from Nida. Honig stated:
Parks is now putting all of her energy into ensuring the well-being of her two children and making decisions that are in their best interests. This situation has put a tremendous strain on Phaedra and her family and she is working hard to bring back a sense of normalcy to everyone’s lives.
3. This Is the Second Time Nida Has Been to Prison
When Parks first met her husband Nida, he had recently gotten out of prison, thinking he’d “changed his ways.” Unfortunately, Nida has found his way back to prison, serving an 8-year sentence for bank fraud and identity theft. This is the second long-term prison sentence for Nida, who was incarcerated for six years, from 2003 and 2009 for car theft.
Nida’s attorney released the following statement to E! News:
On behalf of my client Apollo, right now he feels remorse. He thought the judge was fair, and accepts his sentence, although he was hoping it would be less. Apollo is elated that this proceeding is past him and is no longer handing over his head. It meant everything to him that his mother and brother spoke on his behalf. He’s OK, and will get through this.
4. Money Was a Big Issue for the Couple
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Apollo Nida admitted that he got involved with fraud because he was trying to keep up with his wife and the reality show. Then, when Nida got caught, he was reportedly hounding Parks for money. A source previously told E! News:
When he does speak to Phaedra, it’s always about money. He owes a huge debt in restitution and he wants to know if she’s going to help him with it. ‘Are you going to give me money?’ is always his question. He still wants her financial support.
5. Nida Is Disappointed that Parks Bailed on Their Marriage
Nida felt that Parks should have stuck by him during his legal troubles. When it was time for his sentencing, Parks was at a hotel with her two children because she wanted to shield them from the paparazzi. As Nida states in the above interview, he’s still “salty” about Parks not showing up for him.