Meet RHOA Season 16 Newbie Kelli Ferrell, the Chef Extraordinaire Who's "Not Holding Back"
Kelli Ferrell is the owner of a famous chicken and waffles restaurant in Atlanta. Get to know the RHOA newbie.
When The Real Housewives of Atlanta Season 16 premieres on March 9, viewers will be introduced to new cast member, Kelli Ferrell, aka the "Queen of Waffles."
Kelli joins fellow newbies Brit Eady and Angela Oakley in the Season 16 cast, and returners Porsha Williams and Drew Sidora. Phaedra Parks will also be part of the group later on in the season, and Cynthia Bailey will be popping up as a friend.
Check out the trailer above, and find out more about Kelli's life, career, and relationship status below.
What is Kelli Ferrell's job?
The Season 16 'Wife is a restaurateur, celebrity chef, and cookbook author. Per her official BravoTV.com bio, Kelli grew up in the suburbs of Baltimore, and she was always passionate about food and fashion.
Though she initially moved to Atlanta to pursue a degree in fashion merchandising and design, her life soon went in a different direction. In 2016, she opened her restaurant, Nana's Chicken-N-Waffles, in McDonough, Georgia. Inspired by cooking with her mom and grandma when she was a child, Kelli designed her eatery to feel like an intimate home. She's planning to open a second location in Sandy Springs, Georgia in early 2025.
Kelli's book, Kooking with Kelli: Kollection of Family Recipes from Nana's Chicken-N-Waffles, came out in 2019.
Since opening her family-inspired restaurant, Keli has appeared on a number of shows to discuss her career, cookbook, and food.
Kelli has been on Good Morning America, Live with Kelly and Mark, the Hallmark Channel, and the OWN Network. She has also popped up on Guy's Grocery Games and Ultimate Thanksgiving Challenge, both of which aired on the Food Network.
In addition to her work, Kelli is also a "culinary partner and ambassador" for Meals on Wheels Atlanta. She has also partnered with Elks Aidmore and she supports the OI Foundation.
Is Kelli Ferrell married?
The RHOA newbie is in the process of getting divorced. Kelli and her husband, Chuvalo Mark Ferrell, split in 2022 after about 11 years of marriage.
Does Kelli Ferrell have kids?
Kelli has four daughters: Chloe, Chance, Chasiti, and Chelsi. She shares her three youngest daughters with her estranged husband, and her eldest, Chloe, is from a previous relationship.
What to expect from Kelli Ferrell on RHOA Season 16
According to the announcement for Season 16, Kelli is a dedicated mom and business owner who is looking to "flourish, build her empire, and get to know [the] ladies better."
Kelli could be getting herself into some hot water with the rest of the group, though, because she's not one to hold "back on any of her opinions or side-eyes."
Find out everything you need to know about the new season of RHOA here.