RHOD alum LeeAnne Locken says she’s found herself again since leaving Bravo

Former Real Housewife of Dallas star LeeAnne Locken says she is ‘back’ to her true self months after making her departure from the hit Bravo show.

The sassy southern belle chatted exclusively with DailyMailTV’s senior correspondent Alicia Quarles about moving on from the Housewives and life as a newlywed in coronavirus lockdown.

Plus, Locken graces the cover of ReStyled Magazine and shines a light on the good works being done for children in need through The Fashion Foundation.  

LeeAnne says she has gotten some perspective in the months that have passed since she officially left the Real Housewives of Dallas after four high-octane seasons.

‘You don’t realize how deep in it you are until you remove yourself from it,’ the Texan said of the show, comparing it to ‘kind of like a bad relationship.’

Adding: ‘It’s weird because, you know, I go out now and I see my friends and they’re all like, “Oh, my god – you’re so happy and bright and joyful.” And I’m like, I know I found the old LeeAnne and she’s back!’

Things have changed quite a bit for LeeAnne since she shocked fans back in February by quitting the show, saying at the time that she wanted to focus more on her philanthropic efforts.

For one, her departure came before the coronavirus pandemic hit and she’s been spending an unexpected amount of time at home in her Dallas area mansion with husband Rich Emberlin.

‘The pandemic has either really brought couples close together or it has really made sure to keep couples further apart,’ LeeAnne quipped. ‘I am lucky that I have a husband who is smart enough to quarantine away from me when we are home.’

Locken, who tied the knot in 2019, joked that the secret to their happy marriage in quarantine is a lot of Netflix. However, one thing she definitely isn’t binge watching … the Real Housewives.

‘Honestly, haven’t had Bravo on my television in forever,’ LeeAnne said simply.

Despite getting some distance from the show, the reality star hasn’t closed the book on her fellow Bravolebrities. 

LeeAnne says she still keeps in touch with Erika Jayne from Beverly Hills, Monique Samuels from Potomac, and her good friend Tamra Judge from OC.

Meanwhile, LeeAnne has been busier than ever with her non-profit work and was named the cover girl for the latest issue of ReStyled Magazine by The Fashion Foundation, a non-profit that uses fashion to help kids in need.

‘Anybody who knows me knows that I spend the majority of my time working in the non-profit world, really trying to pay it forward, really trying to make a difference,’ LeeAnne said.

The Fashion Foundation is a small organization that makes a big impact by teaming up with designers to help thousands of students in New York get much needed school supplies, backpacks, art supplies, notebooks and clean uniforms.

The charity has pivoted a bit during the pandemic and recently delivered 500 bags filled with school supplies and activities to children living in shelters so that they can participate in virtual learning.

‘I would love for people to remember [that] all of the non-profits are really struggling during this time,’ LeeAnne said. ‘I’m really hoping that people remember to pay it forward in whatever way possible.’

‘If that means getting off the sofa and volunteering, if that means sending one dollar and 50 cents to your favorite organization,’ she encouraged, ‘just do that because it lightens the load for everyone.’

LeeAnne’s issue of ReStyled is available now.