How Did Cynthia Bailey Celebrate Her 51st Birthday? It Was Nothing Like Her 50th

Cynthia Bailey didn't just celebrate her 50th birthday in 2017; she took the whole year to commemorate the occasion. 

Just some of the highlights of her celebration included a nude photo, a birthday bash where The Real Housewives of Atlanta donned her most iconic looks, and her transformation into 50 Cent for Halloween. Of course, Cynthia brought fans along for the ride with #50cynt adorning many of her photos on Instagram. 

But when Cynthia celebrated her 51st birthday on Monday, February 19, she took a different approach to her big day. Cynthia turned 51 at the stroke of midnight while on the set of Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen, on which she was a guest in the February 18 episode. After hanging out with friends and having a late dinner of tomato basil soup, grilled cheese, and a margarita at Cafeteria, Cynthia returned to her hotel in New York, poured a glass of Champagne, and toasted to herself, she said when The Daily Dish caught up with her the day after her birthday on Tuesday, February 20.

Oh, and Cynthia also snapped this beyond-gorgeous selfie as she said hello to 51. "Today is my birthday & I am 51 years old. Although I’m a little sad to say goodbye to #50cynt, I am beyond grateful to God to embrace 51 with my family, friends, health, love, peace, and happiness. My 50th was everything that I could have imagined & more," Cynthia shared on Instagram. "As it turns out I brought 51 in NYC, where it all started for me. It was uneventful, but magical. After a long day of traveling & working @bravowwhl, dinner & dancing with a couple of friends, I settled into my room alone & drank a glass of champagne alone. I toasted to imperfect me continuing to better myself, and walk towards my purpose. Then I took this selfie of me in the onesie my mom got me for Christmas, and went to sleep. So, hello 51. Nice to meet you. Now let’s have some damn fun."

This more low-key birthday was just what Cynthia wanted for her 51st. "You know, I did a lot for my 50th, like some may even say I did the most for my 50th," she told The Daily Dish. "So I kind of wanted to slide into my 51 a little quieter for now."

Still, Cynthia did let the party last a couple of days as she also enjoyed a 51st birthday dinner at Bagatelle and a cosmetic procedure in New York before returning to some beautiful birthday flowers at home in Atlanta.

Of course, it's going to be difficult to ever top the epic 50th birthday year Cynthia had. She cites her 50 Shades of Cynthia birthday party, which fans saw this season of RHOA, as well as her 50 Cent Halloween costume as major highlights. "I was really excited for my 50th, obviously. I had videos and photos of myself to prove it. I had my cast come as me for my 50 Shades of Cynthia [party]. I dressed as 50 Cent for Halloween. Like, I kind of did 50. Like, I can kind of cross it off the list. I would do it the same way again. I enjoyed every moment. It was a fun ride. My friends and family and fans loved it. And I just embraced it," Cynthia said. "For me, 50 was not about getting older; it was just about getting better. I'm at a point in my life right now where it was just big for me because I just wanted to be where I wanted to be for that milestone, and I'm where I want to be. I'm happy at Lake Bailey, I'm no longer married, still dating, and I'm good. I think 51's gonna be maybe a little bit quieter than 50 was but not uneventful. We're just gonna slide into it a little slower." 

That also means the end of 50 Cynt, according to Cynthia. "There will be no 51 Cynt. 50 Cynt was epic," she said. "I have thousands of comments on my Instagram saying, 'No, we don't want 50 Cynt to go!' 50 Cynt was fun, but we gotta let it go. Let it go. We're moving on." 

We can't wait to see what this year has in store for Cynthia.

Watch all the RHOA ladies show their love for Cynthia, below.

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