Belle Collective Returns: Southern Culture, Sisterhood, and Second Chances
OWN’s hit reality series Belle Collective is back for Season Five, and this time the ladies of Jackson, Mississippi are giving us more than just brunches and bitchiness —they’re offering raw lessons in resilience, love, and the power of Southern sisterhood.
At the center of it all is Leticia Pearson, the undeniable cornerstone of the show since its inception. When producer Carlos King first conceptualized Bell Collective, it was Lateshia’s brunches—born out of her vision to revitalize historic Farrier Street—that laid the foundation. But five seasons in, Leticia admits her mission has evolved.
“It’s no longer just about Ferris Street,” she shared. “It’s about empowering women everywhere. My Business Belle Brunches now travel across the country. I want to unite women, help them network, and celebrate entrepreneurship. We are preparing to go on tour now.”
That evolution reflects not only her growth as a businesswoman, but also her willingness to bare her personal struggles on national television. For much of the series, viewers have watched Lateshia grapple with her tumultuous marriage to Glendale, her high school sweetheart and husband of over 20 years. The new season’s trailer teases more heartbreak ahead, with renewed rumors of infidelity threatening to unravel the marriage once again.
For Lateshia, sharing her private battles has come with heavy cultural weight.
“In the South, especially in African American families, there’s this mentality of ‘what happens in this house, stays in this house,’” she explained. “At first, my family was very upset with me for showing our struggles. But I’ve had so many women come up to me and say they see themselves in my story. They didn’t have a voice for their pain until they saw mine.”
Her castmate Kerri Paul praised that courage, calling Leticia’s grit admirable. “Most people would walk away, but she fights for her family,” Keri said.
Kerri herself is a refreshing new addition to the cast—a spirited entrepreneur with three thriving restaurants and a husband who is a successful sports agent. With young children and a marriage in the spotlight, she admits reality TV forced her to confront issues head-on.
“Being on camera made us stronger,” she confessed. “It pushed us to work through things instead of burying them.”
Kerri spark and drive add a new dynamic to Belle Collective, particularly alongside her longtime friend Lateshia and fellow restaurateur Latrice Rogers.
This season also marks a turning point for fan favorite Marie Hamilton-Abston, who has weathered storms both personally and professionally over the past four seasons. When Season Five opens, Marie is reuniting with her ex-husband—while also proudly showing off her new boyfriend.
While past seasons have shown Marie grappling with disappointment and despair – this season she is flipping the script and having fun. In the premiere episode she announces reuniting with Cedrick and informs him that she may need two men to take care of her the way so many men desire two women. Cedrick doesn’t agree, but this is the , happiest audience’s have ever seen Marie.
Lateshia believes the portrayal of true sisterhood is what will set this season apart from previous seasons and even other reality shows.
“For once, you’re going to see women working through disagreements without all the toxicity reality TV is known for,” she said. “It feels real, it feels hopeful.”
With deep ties to Southern culture, explorations of family and faith, and a cast of women who are unafraid to show both their flaws and their triumphs, Belle Collective continues to be one of OWN’s most relatable reality franchises.
Season Five of ‘Belle Collective’ premieres Friday, October 3rd, fans can expect a season filled with growth, grit, and of course unforgettable brunches.