Kandi Burruss Reveals Why She Left The Real Housewives of Atlanta

Kandi Burruss is explaining more about why she stepped away from “The Real Housewives of Atlanta” after more than a decade on the series. In a June 2026 interview with RNB Philly, the Grammy winner said the turning point came during the infamous Season 9 “dungeon” scandal, when she felt the show had crossed a line. Burruss said she was “over it” at that point, but still stayed on the Bravo series for several more seasons before finally leaving ahead of Season 16.

Burruss was referring to the storyline involving Phaedra Parks, Porsha Williams and a false rumor that spread during the season. The moment became one of the most talked-about controversies in “RHOA” history and left a lasting mark on Burruss’s time on the show. Even so, she admitted that walking away was not easy. In the interview, she said she spent her last three years on the series repeatedly asking her husband, Todd Tucker, whether it was time to leave.

She described the show as a kind of comfort zone, saying that after doing something for so long, it can feel like a crutch. Burruss said her biggest fear was whether fans would continue to support her other business and entertainment ventures if she left the reality series. That concern helped keep her on the show even after she had emotionally checked out of the drama surrounding the “dungeon” season.

Fans reacted quickly to her comments, with many pointing out that Burruss stayed on “RHOA” for six more seasons after the scandal. Some viewers argued that she remained far longer than she needed to, while others praised her for making the right move and noted that her loyal fan base has continued to support her career. Several fans also expressed admiration for the singer and entrepreneur, saying they believed the decision was ultimately best for her personal and professional growth.

Burruss first announced her departure from “The Real Housewives of Atlanta” in February 2024. At the time, she told Variety that the long break between Seasons 15 and 16 gave her time to think about her future and focus on other projects. She said she had already started working on multiple new opportunities and was excited about what was ahead. Burruss also said that after spending so many years on the show, it felt strange to imagine not returning.

In later comments, she made it clear that her exit was not necessarily permanent, describing it as a break rather than a final goodbye. Since leaving the show, Burruss has continued to expand her Broadway résumé and has remained active in other entertainment and business ventures.

Her personal life has also changed significantly in recent months. Burruss separated from Todd Tucker in November 2025 after 11 years of marriage, and the two continued co-parenting their children. Their divorce was settled in March 2026. Burruss had previously said publicly that she decided to end the marriage in July 2025.