Phaedra Parks is an American attorney, television personality, entrepreneur, author, social activist and reality-TV star best known for her appearances on Bravo’s The Real Housewives of Atlanta. Born on October 26, 1973, in Athens, Georgia, Parks built a successful legal career before becoming a household name through reality television. Her combination of legal expertise, business interests, Southern personality and outspoken presence made her one of the most recognizable women associated with the Bravo franchise.
Parks originally joined The Real Housewives of Atlanta in 2010 and remained a full-time cast member through 2017. After several years away, she returned to the franchise in 2024 and has remained part of the show’s renewed era, appearing in Seasons 16 and 17. She has also appeared on Married to Medicine, The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip and The Traitors, where her strategic gameplay and memorable personality introduced her to an even broader reality-TV audience.
In September 2026, Parks became a major entertainment-news story again after confirming that she is dating Chris “CT” Tamburello, her former The Traitors co-star. The relationship came after years of friendship and renewed their on-screen chemistry in the public eye. At 52, Parks remains one of reality television’s most recognizable figures while continuing to work as a lawyer, entrepreneur, mother and advocate.
Phaedra Parks Profile Summary
| Category | Details |
| Full Name | Phaedra Creonta Parks |
| Date of Birth | October 26, 1973 |
| Age | 52 years old |
| Place of Birth | Athens, Georgia, United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Attorney, Television Personality, Entrepreneur, Author, Activist |
| Known For | The Real Housewives of Atlanta, Married to Medicine, The Traitors |
| Years Active | 2001–present |
| Education | Wesleyan College; University of Georgia; Jefferson State College |
| Bachelor’s Degree | Bachelor of Arts, Wesleyan College |
| Law Degree | Juris Doctor, University of Georgia School of Law |
| Other Qualification | Mortuary Science |
| Former Husband | Apollo Nida |
| Current Partner | Chris “CT” Tamburello |
| Children | 2 sons |
| Sons | Ayden and Dylan Nida |
| Residence | Atlanta, Georgia |
| Height | Approximately 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m) |
| Religion | Christian background; exact current denomination not clearly documented |
| Net Worth | Not publicly verified |
| Current TV Role | The Real Housewives of Atlanta |
Phaedra Parks Early Life
Phaedra Creonta Parks was born on October 26, 1973, in Athens, Georgia. She grew up in a religious family and was raised by parents who were pastors. Her upbringing exposed her early to church life, public speaking, community involvement and service, experiences that later became visible in both her professional career and philanthropic activities.
Parks is one of several children in her family and grew up in Georgia. She has described having an upbringing that emphasized education, hard work and helping others. Her family background also included educators, pastors and professionals, and she has credited those influences with shaping her ambitions.
As a teenager, Parks became involved in community service. She spent time tutoring and working as a camp counselor, experiences that contributed to her later interest in youth advocacy. Her commitment to education and social issues eventually became an important part of her identity outside television.
Phaedra Parks Education
Parks attended Wesleyan College in Macon, Georgia, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree with honors. Her undergraduate education gave her the academic foundation she needed to pursue a professional career in law.
She subsequently attended the University of Georgia School of Law. Parks earned her Juris Doctor degree in 1997, establishing herself as a professionally trained attorney long before she became a reality-TV personality.
Her education did not end with law. Parks also studied mortuary science at Jefferson State College and became a licensed funeral director. Her combination of legal training and mortuary-science education is unusual and has become one of the more distinctive aspects of her biography.
Phaedra Parks Career
Beginning Her Legal Career
Phaedra Parks established herself professionally as an attorney before entering reality television.
She founded The Parks Group, an Atlanta-based law firm, in 2000. The firm focused on areas including entertainment and intellectual-property law, allowing Parks to combine her legal training with her interest in the entertainment industry.
Her legal career eventually brought her into contact with prominent figures in music and entertainment.
Celebrity Attorney
Parks became known for representing high-profile entertainment clients, including R&B singer Bobby Brown.
Her legal work also involved artists and entertainment professionals such as rapper Too Short, producer Jazze Pha and songwriter Jermaine Dupri.
Her work in entertainment law helped establish her professional reputation in Atlanta before television audiences knew her as a reality star.
Parks also appeared as a legal analyst in television coverage of major legal stories, including coverage related to the Michael Jackson trial. This helped establish her as someone who could communicate complex legal issues to mainstream audiences.
Advocacy and Social Activism
Parks has used her legal career and public platform to advocate for African-American boys, families and communities affected by social injustice.
She became involved with families connected to cases involving Trayvon Martin and Michael Brown and participated in campaigns addressing violence and racial injustice.
Her activism has also taken her to cities including Selma, Flint and Washington, D.C., where she participated in demonstrations and worked on initiatives focused on social justice.
Parks has also worked with policymakers and community organizations on programs intended to provide opportunities for young people considered at risk.
The Phaedra Foundation
Parks established the Phaedra Foundation as part of her broader philanthropic work.
The organization focuses on supporting African-American youth and their families and promoting educational and professional opportunities.
Her philanthropic efforts have included scholarship support for first-generation minority law students at the University of Georgia School of Law and a fellowship at Morehouse College.
These activities have allowed Parks to maintain a public identity that extends beyond entertainment.
Author
Parks is also an author.
She wrote Secrets of the Southern Belle: How to Be Nice, Work Hard, Look Pretty, Have Fun, and Never Have an Off Moment.
The book draws on Parks’ image and experiences as a Southern woman while offering advice about confidence, presentation, relationships, work and personal development.
The book also reinforced the Southern-Belle persona that became one of her trademarks on The Real Housewives of Atlanta.
The Real Housewives of Atlanta
Joining RHOA
Phaedra Parks joined The Real Housewives of Atlanta during its third season in 2010.
At the time, she was introduced to viewers as an Atlanta attorney, entrepreneur and social figure. Her professional career distinguished her from cast members whose primary identities were based on entertainment or business.
Parks quickly became one of the show’s most recognizable personalities.
Her polished appearance, Southern mannerisms, humor, ambition and willingness to participate in the show’s conflicts made her a memorable cast member.
Marriage and Family on RHOA
During her original run on RHOA, Parks’ marriage to Apollo Nida became a significant storyline.
The couple had two sons together, Ayden and Dylan.
Parks’ family life was frequently featured on the program, including her experiences as a mother and professional woman.
Her work as a funeral director and her interest in opening a funeral home also became part of her storyline, giving viewers insight into a less conventional side of her professional life.
Departure From RHOA
Parks left The Real Housewives of Atlanta after Season 9 in 2017.
Her departure followed one of the most dramatic periods in the show’s history, including the collapse of her marriage and controversies involving other cast members.
For several years, Parks was no longer a full-time member of the franchise.
However, her popularity never completely disappeared.
Return to The Real Housewives of Atlanta
Parks returned to The Real Housewives of Atlanta as a full-time cast member in 2024 after a lengthy absence.
Her return was particularly significant because she had remained one of the franchise’s most recognizable former cast members.
She returned for Season 16, which premiered in 2025, and subsequently remained part of Season 17.
Season 17 premiered on April 5, 2026, with Parks among the returning full-time cast members.
Her return has allowed viewers to see a different phase of her life: she is older, more established professionally and raising teenage sons while continuing to navigate relationships and friendships within Atlanta’s social scene.
Married to Medicine
Parks also became part of another major Bravo franchise when she joined Married to Medicine.
She joined the cast in Season 10, which premiered in 2023.
Although Parks is not a physician, her background as an attorney and her social connections within Atlanta’s professional community made her a natural addition to a show centered on the medical and professional worlds.
Her time on Married to Medicine added another dimension to her reality-TV career and exposed her to a different cast and audience.
She appeared during the show’s subsequent seasons before leaving the franchise as she returned to The Real Housewives of Atlanta.
The Traitors
One of Parks’ most important television appearances outside RHOA came when she competed on the second season of The Traitors.
The Peacock reality competition brought together celebrities and reality-TV personalities who were divided into Faithfuls and Traitors.
Parks was selected as one of the Traitors.
Her strategic approach, humor and ability to manipulate conversations made her one of the season’s standout personalities.
She developed a particularly memorable relationship with Chris “CT” Tamburello during the show.
CT was ultimately part of the group that successfully navigated the game, while Parks was eventually banished.
Despite being on opposite sides of the game, their chemistry became one of the most discussed elements of the season.
Phaedra Parks and CT Tamburello
How They Met
Phaedra Parks and Chris “CT” Tamburello first became closely acquainted while filming Season 2 of The Traitors.
The season was filmed in 2023 and aired in 2024.
Their relationship during the show was primarily presented as a friendship and strategic partnership, although viewers quickly noticed their chemistry.
CT eventually became the winner of the season, while Parks was one of the season’s most memorable Traitors.
From Friendship to Romance
For a period after The Traitors, Parks and CT maintained that their relationship was platonic.
That changed in 2026.
In September 2026, Parks confirmed that she and CT were romantically involved.
During an appearance on Jeff Lewis Live, she was asked whether her upcoming Emmy date with CT was merely platonic. Parks answered that it was not.
She confirmed that they had been on dates but remained deliberately vague about exactly when their romance began.
Their Emmy Date
Parks and CT are scheduled to attend the Creative Arts Emmy Awards together on September 5, 2026.
CT is attending as a presenter, while Parks is his date.
The couple also planned to travel to New York together following the awards, where Parks had a professional engagement.
The relationship has generated substantial attention because of the pair’s memorable chemistry on The Traitors.
Fans who watched their relationship develop on television have now been given confirmation that the connection eventually moved beyond friendship.
Phaedra Parks Trending: Why Is Phaedra Parks Famous?
Phaedra Parks is trending in September 2026 because she has confirmed that she is dating Chris “CT” Tamburello, her former The Traitors co-star.
The relationship has attracted significant attention because Parks and CT became fan favorites during the second season of The Traitors. Their chemistry was obvious to viewers, but both maintained that they were friends at the time.
Parks’ current popularity is also connected to her return to The Real Housewives of Atlanta. She is part of Season 17, which began airing in April 2026, continuing her comeback to the franchise after previously leaving in 2017.
Phaedra Parks Age, Religion, Nationality, Height and Physical Appearance
Phaedra Parks was born on October 26, 1973, in Athens, Georgia. She is 52 years old as of September 2026 and is an American citizen.
Parks is approximately 5 feet 7 inches tall, although exact height figures vary between public sources. She is known for her polished fashion style, glamorous appearance and distinctive Southern-Belle presentation, all of which became recognizable elements of her television persona.
Parks was raised in a Christian family by parents who were pastors, and faith has been an important part of her upbringing. However, her precise current denominational affiliation is not consistently documented in authoritative sources.
Personal Life
Phaedra Parks was married to Apollo Nida from 2009 until their divorce was finalized in 2017. The couple had two sons, Ayden and Dylan, who have remained an important part of Parks’ life and television story.
Nida was later convicted of federal fraud-related offenses and sentenced to prison. Parks has consistently maintained that she was not involved in and did not know about his criminal activities. Their marriage and subsequent divorce became major parts of Parks’ storyline during her original period on The Real Housewives of Atlanta.
After her divorce, Parks was romantically linked to several men, including radio personality and actor Medina Islam. In 2025, she also discussed her relationship with younger boyfriend Cheick Kone, saying that she was happy but was not interested in getting married again. In September 2026, however, she confirmed a new relationship with CT Tamburello.
Children and Family
Phaedra Parks has two sons with Apollo Nida: Ayden and Dylan.
Her sons have occasionally appeared in her reality-TV storylines, although Parks has increasingly emphasized protecting their privacy as they have grown older.
In 2026, she publicly celebrated Ayden’s achievements, including his involvement in athletics and his progress toward obtaining his driver’s license. Parks has described motherhood as one of the most important parts of her life.
Her family background also remains important to her public identity. She was raised by pastor parents and has frequently connected her professional success and philanthropic interests to the values she learned during childhood.
Social Media Presence
Phaedra Parks maintains an active public presence on social media, particularly Instagram, where she shares updates about her professional activities, television appearances, family life, fashion and travel.
Her social-media presence has also become an important extension of her television career. Major developments in her personal life, including her relationship with CT Tamburello, have generated significant online discussion.
Parks’ social platforms allow her to communicate directly with fans while promoting her appearances on The Real Housewives of Atlanta and other television projects.
Business Ventures
Phaedra Parks has developed several business interests alongside her legal career and television work.
Her law practice remains one of the foundations of her professional identity. She has also explored opportunities in entertainment, publishing, public speaking and the funeral industry.
Her mortuary-science training has been particularly unusual for a television personality. Parks became a licensed funeral director and has discussed plans connected to the funeral-home business.
She has also earned income through television appearances, endorsements, speaking engagements and other entrepreneurial activities.
Net Worth
Phaedra Parks’ exact net worth is not publicly verified. Various entertainment websites have published estimates, but there is no independently audited figure that establishes the precise value of her assets, businesses, investments and liabilities.
Her income comes from several professional areas rather than reality television alone. Her legal career, television contracts, business ventures, publishing, public speaking, brand partnerships and other entertainment-related activities have all contributed to her financial profile.
Parks’ long career across law and entertainment has also allowed her to build multiple income streams. While specific online net-worth estimates should be treated cautiously, she has clearly established herself as a financially independent entrepreneur whose career extends well beyond reality television.
Legacy
Phaedra Parks has built a distinctive legacy within reality television by combining entertainment with a serious professional career. Unlike many reality stars, she entered the public eye after establishing herself as an attorney and entrepreneur.
Her years on The Real Housewives of Atlanta produced some of the franchise’s most memorable moments and helped establish her as one of its most recognizable former cast members. Her return demonstrated the lasting popularity of her character and personality among Bravo audiences.
Beyond television, Parks’ advocacy for young people, legal career and philanthropic initiatives have contributed to a broader public identity. Her work supporting minority students and African-American youth has allowed her influence to extend beyond entertainment.
Conclusion
Phaedra Parks is an American attorney, entrepreneur, author, activist and reality-TV personality whose career has successfully crossed the worlds of law and entertainment. From founding her own law practice and representing prominent entertainment clients to becoming one of the most recognizable stars of The Real Housewives of Atlanta, Parks has built a career that extends far beyond reality television. She has also appeared on Married to Medicine and The Traitors, with the latter introducing her to CT Tamburello, whom she confirmed as her boyfriend in September 2026. As she continues appearing on The Real Housewives of Atlanta, raising her two sons and pursuing her professional and philanthropic interests, Parks remains one of Bravo’s most enduring and versatile personalities.
Frequently Asked Questions About Phaedra Parks
Who is Phaedra Parks?
Phaedra Parks is an American attorney, entrepreneur, author, activist and reality-TV personality best known for The Real Housewives of Atlanta.
How old is Phaedra Parks?
Phaedra Parks is 52 years old as of September 2026. She was born on October 26, 1973.
Where was Phaedra Parks born?
Phaedra Parks was born in Athens, Georgia, United States.
What does Phaedra Parks do for a living?
Phaedra Parks is an attorney, television personality, entrepreneur, author and social activist. She has earned income through law, television, business, publishing, public speaking and entertainment.
Is Phaedra Parks a lawyer?
Yes. Phaedra Parks is a trained attorney. She earned her Juris Doctor from the University of Georgia School of Law in 1997 and founded her own law firm in 2000.
Where did Phaedra Parks go to college?
Phaedra Parks attended Wesleyan College for her undergraduate degree and the University of Georgia School of Law for her law degree. She also studied mortuary science at Jefferson State College.
Is Phaedra Parks a funeral director?
Yes. Parks has trained in mortuary science and became a licensed funeral director.
Is Phaedra Parks married?
No. Phaedra Parks is divorced. She was previously married to Apollo Nida from 2009 until their divorce was finalized in 2017.
Who is Phaedra Parks dating?
Phaedra Parks is dating Chris “CT” Tamburello, her former The Traitors co-star. She confirmed their romantic relationship in September 2026.
Who is CT Tamburello?
Chris “CT” Tamburello is an American reality-TV personality best known for MTV’s The Challenge. He also won the second season of The Traitors, where he met Phaedra Parks.
When did Phaedra Parks and CT Tamburello meet?
Phaedra Parks and CT Tamburello met while filming Season 2 of The Traitors in 2023. The season aired in 2024.
Are Phaedra Parks and CT Tamburello married?
No. They are dating and have not announced a marriage.
Does Phaedra Parks have children?
Yes. Phaedra Parks has two sons, Ayden and Dylan, with her former husband Apollo Nida.
Who is Phaedra Parks’ ex-husband?
Phaedra Parks’ former husband is Apollo Nida. They were married from 2009 until 2017 and have two children together.
Why did Phaedra Parks leave RHOA?
Phaedra Parks left The Real Housewives of Atlanta after Season 9 in 2017. She later returned to the franchise in 2024 after several years away.
Is Phaedra Parks back on The Real Housewives of Atlanta?
Yes. Phaedra Parks returned as a full-time cast member and is part of Season 17 of The Real Housewives of Atlanta, which premiered in April 2026.
Was Phaedra Parks on Married to Medicine?
Yes. Phaedra Parks joined Married to Medicine in 2023 and appeared on the Bravo series before returning to The Real Housewives of Atlanta.
Was Phaedra Parks on The Traitors?
Yes. Phaedra Parks competed on Season 2 of The Traitors and was one of the show’s Traitors.
Did Phaedra Parks win The Traitors?
No. Phaedra Parks did not win Season 2 of The Traitors. She was eventually banished from the game.
What is Phaedra Parks’ net worth?
Phaedra Parks’ exact net worth has not been publicly verified. She has multiple income sources through law, television, business, publishing and public speaking, but a precise figure cannot be confirmed.
What is Phaedra Parks’ height?
Phaedra Parks is commonly reported to be approximately 5 feet 7 inches tall.
What is Phaedra Parks’ religion?
Phaedra Parks was raised in a Christian family by parents who were pastors. Her precise current denomination has not been consistently documented.
What is Phaedra Parks famous for?
Phaedra Parks is most famous for starring on The Real Housewives of Atlanta. She is also known for her legal career, Married to Medicine, The Traitors, business ventures and social activism.
What book did Phaedra Parks write?
Phaedra Parks wrote Secrets of the Southern Belle: How to Be Nice, Work Hard, Look Pretty, Have Fun, and Never Have an Off Moment.
What is Phaedra Parks doing in 2026?
In 2026, Parks is starring on The Real Housewives of Atlanta Season 17 while continuing her professional and philanthropic work. She also made headlines after confirming her relationship with CT Tamburello.