EXCLUSIVE: RHOA star Cynthia Bailey, 56, candidly reveals fears she’s getting TOO OLD to find love again — and admits feeling pressured to rush dating just months after her second divorce

Real Housewives of Atlanta star Cynthia Bailey has revealed how she fears she’s getting too old to find love again.

The 56-year-old spoke exclusively to DailyMail.com about how she feels pressured to get back to dating soon after her second divorce.

The TV star was originally married to restaurateur Peter Thomas for seven years before they finalized their split in 2017. She then found love with sports reporter Mark Hill, but after they tied the knot in 2020, the couple split last year.

Now Cynthia has said she has re-entered the dating scene because she “doesn’t have much time” – but hopes “the third time is a charm.”

Speaking exclusively to DailyMail.com about her current relationship status, Cynthia said, “Well, for me, I definitely didn’t want to rush anything. I definitely wanted to take the time to just really just sit with my divorce and new singleness and just be ready to start dating.

“But the problem is I’m 56, so I don’t have much time. I can’t sit around for a few years and have a hot girly summer at 60…I guess I could, but it wouldn’t be my preference.’

She continued dating, revealing, “I felt like like any breakup or divorce, you often disconnect and go through the breakup process before you actually break up. And that’s kind of what happened to me.

“So by the time it actually happened, I was like, ‘Okay, don’t make me miss my person by not allowing myself to go back because of time.’

“I slowly put myself back there on a dating app. I got back on Raya, which I was on before, and everything has been pretty slow and steady.

“I’ve been on some really cool dates and I’ve met some really cool people. I’m not in anything serious yet, but I like a few people. They certainly have my interests.’

Cynthia, who said she is looking for a man over 40, continued: ‘Hopefully the third time is a charm for me. I don’t want to jump in until I’m sure.

“I think one of the great things, if there’s anything positive about going through two marriages and two divorces, is not just knowing what you want (but) knowing what I don’t want.

“And again, as a woman of a certain age, I kind of have my deal breakers now and I only want to get into it when I really feel like we have a really healthy shot at making this thing work.”

The TV star said consistency is key to building a relationship with her, before adding: “I find that sometimes the dating world has changed a lot for me because I’m older. The younger dating world is different. They don’t really talk on the phone. It’s a lot of texting, not a lot of calls and phone calls.

‘I’m old school, you really have to get me on the phone and then we’re Face Timing. I need to see what we’re working with…

“For me, if you’re interested, I want you to really just come out the gate, really show that you’re interested, and then be consistent.

‘If you come in strong and then you lose weight, it won’t work. You can’t call me a few times a day and then I’ll hear from you a few times a week.’

She hopes to find a partner to travel with – especially with her dreams of visiting the Maldives.

Cynthia, who has a 23-year-old daughter, argued: ‘The Maldives is one of the top places on my list, but it’s just one of those places I refuse to go.

“First of all, I don’t want to go with friends. It’s just too nice and quiet and sexy. I want to date a man that I want to be with and who wants to be with me.

And it’s just because there’s nothing to do when you get there except just relax and enjoy the person you’re with. So that’s my dream place to go.

“When I meet my person, that’s the first place we go. He has to take me to the Maldives. So I’ll just go ahead and put that there.”

Cynthia built up a loyal fan following during her 11 years on The Real Housewives of Atlanta.

When asked what she looks back on the show now, she said, “I certainly don’t miss the drama. It feels good to just be drama free and just stress free.

“The show is a great show, but it also comes with some stress, especially if it’s just a drama-based show at the end of the day. But I do miss the ladies.

“I have great organic relationships with a lot of the ladies who are still on the show, so I miss them on a regular basis. I saw them more when I was on the show than I see them now. But I hang out with a lot of them, so that’s cool.

“That was really telling because I thought, ‘I’ll find out who my real friends are when I leave the show,’ because if they’re still hanging out with me outside of the show, that means they really were my girls in the first place.” …

“One of the great things about being a housewife, you’re kind of in that club and it’s like a sisterhood that’s forever for me.” I’m always very happy that I’m still a part of that.’

She also revealed that she filmed a small bit as part of the final season and was “looking forward” to appearing on screen.

But the star revealed that she is currently focusing on her acting career, which is her “first priority” at the moment.

While discussing how she wants to move forward after the end of the ongoing industry strikes, Cynthia told DailyMail.com, “OhOnce we get back to normal, when the strike is over, I want to keep growing as an actress.

“I’ve only been doing this for a year and a half, and I’ve done a really good job…

“I’m just excited to just get back in the game and just keep going — but I’d say my goal is to actually get a regular in a series. I think I’m ready for that.

“I’m really manifested and praying I get something, a series regular this year, if not next year for sure.”

And aside from her on-screen career, Cynthia has teamed up with Seagram’s Escapes to create a special summer cocktail.

The star, who began her collaboration with the brand a few years ago, said, “It’s the super easy-to-make, super customizable Seagram’s Escapes Peach Bellini Ombre Punch, and featuring my signature cocktail, the Peach Bellini.”

“It’s bourbon, lemon juice, grenadine, any garnish of your choice. I put peaches, lemons and basil in mine.’

When asked when she prefers her new favorite drink, Cynthia revealed, “The weekend starts on Friday for me and at this point in my life I am a woman of a certain age. not only the big things in life, but also the little things.

“So it’s one of my favorite ways to just decompress and just enjoy.” I don’t wait for a vacation to drink a delicious cocktail. I usually definitely record one on the weekend.’