It’s the news Real Housewives fans “never thought” they would hear. Kandi Burruss is “taking a break” from RHOA. Sunday, February 4 meant one thing – all eyes on the Grammys – until attention turned to a reality TV bombshell. Longest-standing cast member Kandi revealed she was stepping away from The Real Housewives of Atlanta
There is no end to the hats Real Housewives of Atlanta star Kandi Burruss can wear. Kandi is a mom, a daughter, a wife, a businesswoman, and one-third of girl group Xscape. She’s also a Taurus, an earth sign on the zodiac, known for being grounded, determined, and loyal. Despite all kinds of drama going on around her over the seasons on RHOA, the Bravo star always managed to remain a much-loved OG.
‘Ring didn’t mean thing’
As Real Housewives of Atlanta’s longest-serving cast member, Kandi has really seen it all.
From Kenya Moore and Phaedra Parks going head-to-head over a home workout tape, to Kim Zolciak-Biermann attempting to break into the world of music, the ladies have to be given props for their entrepreneurial spirit over the years.
Kandi had a hit song for Kim to record, and she said she spent “a lot of time making it Kim-friendly.”
After Kandi got wind Kim had been telling people she didn’t like the song, so she made some changes.
Kim was all smiles and said she “never doubted” Kandi, to which Kandi was totally confused. But in true Kandi fashion, the RHOA star laughed it off and carried on working with her co-star on her dreams.
Kandi eye rolls over Marlo
During The Real Housewives of Atlanta season 10, the ladies head to Barcelona for a group trip.
While sitting in a minivan, Kandi tells Marlo she “talks too much,” and Marlo tells her “And you don’t talk enough.”
Marlo suggests Kandi should go to her “etiquette class.”
And Kandi responds: “Girl, you can’t teach etiquette to nobody around here.”
Marlo stood by her point, saying you can’t get on a bus and “be unfriendly and dry,” but Kandi stated there’s been many a time Marlo has been “rude” to her co-stars.
Mama Joyce ‘unhinged’
Though Kandi and her husband, Todd Tucker, are on good terms with her mom, Mama Joyce, these days, Todd had a tough time in the beginning of their relationship.
Mama Joyce accused Todd of being an “opportunist” in season 6 and also showed up at Phaedra’s workplace to scold her for introducing the two.
It was clear Mama Joyce didn’t approve of her daughter’s romance and became totally unhinged in one scene where she recited (some slightly alternative) Marvin Gaye’s Ain’t No Mountain High Enough lyrics: “Ain’t no river high enough, ain’t no ocean deep enough, ain’t no desert hot enough to keep me off your a** baby.”
Kandi calmly enters the room and asks: “OK, I’m sorry, what are you over here reciting lyrics to a song for?”
She joined the show a single mom
When Don’t Think I’m Not singer Kandi joined RHOA she was a single mom to then-six-year-old Riley Burruss.
In season 2, Kandi said: “It was always just she and I,” as Riley’s father wasn’t in the picture.
The two shared some adorable moments during the years and Kandi explained she had been “concerned” about bringing a new man into her life because of how it could “affect” Riley.
However, she eventually ended up meeting Todd and now Riley is a big sister to Ace, and Blaze, and younger-half sister to Kaela Tucker.
I remember a time when people said that Kandi would never be fired/leave #RHOA, especially since she has done 14 seasons in a row. Once again, we are reminded that ANYONE can be removed. So let's get some OGs removed from #RHOP while we're cleaning house…
— MayaT89 (@GossipMaya89) February 5, 2024
Birthday party gone wrong
In the early RHOA days, Kandi and Phaedra were good friends. During a birthday party of Kandi’s Phaedra says: “I know you’re on a diet, but I wanted to bring you a little chocolate.”
The Traitors US star had arranged for a dancer to perform at Kandi’s birthday party – much to Mama Joyce’s displeasure.
While Phaedra and Kandi appeared to be fine with the party guest, Nene, Cynthia Bailey, and more cast members left the celebration pronto.
Mama Joyce was fuming, saying the idea was “bulls***,” and “not cool.” Kandi was totally confused, responding: “Why are you mad at me? I didn’t do this.”
She said she “felt five years old” on her 35th birthday and was left consoling her mom.
I SAID WHAT I SAID never gets old #RHOA
— Queens of Bravo (@queensofbravo) July 1, 2020
Kandi’s claps back
Fast-forwarding to the RHOA season 6 reunion, Kandi’s the one expressing herself instead of her mom, this time.
During an argument with Nene Leakes (because Nene had “addressed” Kandi’s mom in her blog), Nene defended herself and said: “That’s how I felt… I said what I said.”
In a moment that’s now become a RHOA meme and gif worldwide, Kandi said: “What you said was some bulls***!”
View this post on Instagram
Opening Old Lady Gang
Kandi reached new levels of iconic status when she revealed she was opening a family restaurant.
The RHOA star also landed herself a spin-off show, Kandi & The Gang, which aired in 2022.
Kandi, her mom, and her aunts, Bertha and Nora, are the stars of the series.
The Bravolebrity has accumulated an impressive net worth of $30 million over the course of her career, writes Celebrity Net Worth. Her success will likely keep coming as she’s still aiming for EGOT status these days.
