Peter Thomaswas introduced toreality audiencesas the entrepreneurial boyfriend of former supermodelCynthia BaileyonReal Housewives of Atlantain 2010. Although his initial reception was cool due to Cynthia’s family’s suspicion of his motives, fans eventually warmed up to Peter’s Jamaican charm and charisma. Peter’s time on the show was unforgettable as he was very different from most husbands in the franchise and never missed an opportunity to speak his mind. Peter got into squabbles withRHOAQueen OGNene Leakesand was extremely supportive of the other men, ironically including former felon Apollo Nida. Peter’s time onRHOAmust’ve left a bigger impression on him than fans realized, because he was planning to return to reality television in a docuseries produced by Blue Collar Productions, focused on his restaurant business, family and, yes, his dating life in 2025.
The series was set to addressPeter’s struggle with a $650,000 debt in trust fund taxes,resulting in several court dates. Unfortunately, Peter’s reality star plans were put on hold indefinitely as he will have to turn himself in for an 18-month prison sentence for tax evasion. Upon his release, Peter will be subjected to a two-year probationary period in conjunction with a substance abuse testing program. During this two-year term, Peter was ordered to abstain from excessive alcohol, drug usage, narcotics and/or “harmful drug paraphernalia”.
Peter’s legal troublesdidn’t come as a surprise to anyone familiar with the serial entrepreneur. He joined the Atlanta cast amidst accusations of being a shady business owner with several Atlanta-based businesses. He opened a restaurant named Bar One along with Cynthia that became a hot spot for Atlanta socialites and tourists looking to visit an establishment they saw on the show.Rumors of employees not being paidand less than transparent contracts made their way from the social circles in Atlanta to social media and later to his and Cynthia’s storyline onRHOA.
‘RHOA’ Star Cynthia Bailey Paid Ex-Husband 10% of Her Salary
Peter Thomas received a cut of his ex-wife’s salary to appear on ‘RHOA.’
Cynthia’s mother felt so strongly about Peter’s shady business that she attempted to hide the couple’s marriage license, so they couldn’t get married. Cynthia’s sisterMalloryvoiced concerns about Peter using Cynthia for her moneyand status instead of being a great provider and protector for her sister. Although Peter and Cynthia managed to silence the naysayers for a brief while, inevitably the former cover model cut her losses and filed for divorce. Cynthia and Peter remained friends, but she has acknowledged numerous times that the relationship wasn’t destined for success. Shortly after her divorce from Peter was finalized, Cynthia began dating sportscasterMike Hill. The two married but divorced less than two years later.
Peter Considered Partnering With ‘RHOP’s Wendy Osefo
Peter rebounded from his divorce from Cynthia and the closing of Atlanta’s Bar One by re-locating to North Carolina and opening a Charlotte-based version of the franchise. He stayed connected to his reality fame through his relationships with fellow reality stars and his large social media platform. Earlier this year, Peter had a brief cameo onReal Housewives of Potomacaftermeeting withWendy Osefoto discuss partnering with her to open a Bar One in Potomac. Before anything could materialize from the meeting, Peter’s friendMia Thorntonthrew salt into the equation and ruined the potential business relationship. Wendy was irritated by Mia’s meddling at the time, but after hearing the outcome of Peter’s current legal troubles, she is probably thanking her co-star’s messiness for keeping her out of what could’ve besmirched her pristine professional portfolio.
Former ‘RHOA’ Producer Reveals Secrets of Cynthia Bailey and Peter Thomas’ Marriage
Cynthia Bailey is much stronger than she portrayed herself on ‘RHOA’, and did not let her ex-husband, Peter Thomas, walk all over her.
According toThe Blast,Peter and his attorney did everything within their power to keep him out of prison. His attorney addressed the court using Peter’s advanced age and remorse as his defense to persuade the judge to show mercy to his client. “Mr. Thomas is a 64-year-old serial entrepreneur who is incredibly remorseful for his failure to pay trust fund taxes,“he began. He informed the judge that Peter struggled with several Bar One locations, including his flagship restaurant in Atlanta, his second attempt in Charlotte and a third in Miami. Peter took to social media,sharing a plea with other business owners encouraging them to educate themselves on business tax etiquette.Even with the additional pleas and good-faith publicity, the judge was unwavering in his judgement and delivered a sentence of 18 months accompanied by a strict probationary period after.
Peter Will Be Almost 70 Years Old When His Prison Term and Probation Are Completed
Due to the harshness of his probation after serving his time, it’s unlikely Peter will be able to pick up where he left off with Blue Collar productions on his docuseries until after his prison sentence and probationary period are both completed. By the time he is completely free and clear to begin filming, Peter will be sixty-eight at minimum, but quite possibly closer to sixty-nine or 70 years old. It’s unlikely that his reality fans will be interested in the path to redemption for a 70-year-old man whose claim to fame was being married to a former cover model. Peter may have to settle for re-opening a Bar One in a city near a reality cast and showing up as a friend of a friend with an interesting past.
The Real Housewives of Atlantacan be streamed on Peacock.
The Real Housewives of Atlanta
A reality series focusing on the personal and professional lives of several women in Atlanta’s high society. The show documents their interactions, from lavish parties and business ventures to intimate moments with family and friends. The cast members navigate complex relationships, intense rivalries, and significant life events, providing a mix of drama, entertainment, and insight into the pressures and privileges of their status. Each episode highlights the evolving dynamics within the group, showcasing the highs and lows of their interconnected lives.
Stream on Peacock
