New reports claim that NeNe Leakes had to bow out of appearing in an episode of 'Real Housewives of Atlanta' because of major health problems.

Leakes has recurring blood clots that form around her lungs, and she has been battling the condition since last November, when she was hospitalized for it.

This season, part of RHoA is set in the Philippines, and that's a twenty hour flight from Atlanta. Long plane rides are potentially fatal for people with a susceptibility to blood clots, so Leakes wisely decided not to risk her life and stayed home. The rest of the cast is already in the Philippines.

'The Real Housewives of Atlanta' is the third rendition of 'The Real Housewives' franchise and premiered in October, 2008.

As of February 14, it is the highest-rated show in the franchise. Leakes has been part of the show since the beginning.

By contrast, the eight-woman cast includes two newbies, Claudia Jordan, a TV and radio host who recently moved from Los Angeles and Demetria McKinney, an actress and singer.

The show will premiere its seventh season on November 9, with a special episode airing on November 2, It is called "Road Trip: Countdown to Season 7."