After 14 seasons, Kandi Burruss has made the decision to step away from Bravo's hit reality show, 'Real Housewives of Atlanta.' The announcement came during the 2024 Grammy Awards on Sunday, where Burruss revealed her departure in an interview with Variety.
The decision to leave the show wasn't solely based on the long hiatus between seasons. Burruss explained that she had been working on various other projects during that time and had some exciting ventures on the horizon. It seems she felt it was the right moment to explore new opportunities and take a break from the reality TV spotlight.
Reflecting on her decision, Burruss shared that a friend had asked her why she continued on the show. She admitted that after doing it for so long, it felt strange to think about not returning. However, after careful consideration, she decided to take a step back and hit pause on sharing her personal life with the world.
While the previous season of 'Real Housewives of Atlanta' featured Burruss alongside Kenya Moore, Shereé Whitfield, Drew Sidora, Sanya Richards-Ross, and Marlo Hampton, the upcoming season is expected to bring about a cast shakeup. Bravo has yet to announce the full lineup for the new season.
Burruss's frustration with Bravo's handling of the show and cast decisions has been evident. In an Amazon Live segment, she expressed her annoyance that the network had not communicated with the cast about who would be returning for the next season. With lives to plan and other projects in the works, Burruss felt it was time to move on.
Throughout her time on Bravo, Burruss became a favorite among viewers. She has been a part of various unscripted series, including 'The Kandi Factory,' 'Kandi's Wedding,' 'Kandi's Ski Trip,' and 'Kandi & the Gang,' to name a few. Prior to her reality TV career, Burruss co-founded the successful R&B girl group Xscape, which remains active and has even had several Bravo spin-offs.
Aside from her reality TV ventures, Burruss has made a name for herself in the music industry as a solo artist and Grammy-winning songwriter. Additionally, she has been involved in producing and performing in multiple Broadway musicals, showcasing her diverse talents.
Looking ahead, Burruss is currently gearing up for a revival of the classic musical 'The Wiz.' Co-producing alongside her husband Todd Tucker, the production is set to hit Broadway in April. With this new project and other endeavors on the horizon, it's clear that Burruss's decision to leave 'Real Housewives of Atlanta' is part of her broader plans for the future.
As fans eagerly await the new season of the popular reality show, it will be interesting to see how the cast changes without Burruss's presence. Nonetheless, her departure marks the end of an era for the 'Real Housewives of Atlanta' franchise, and viewers will undoubtedly miss her entertaining moments and vibrant personality on the screen.
