Real Housewives of Atlanta mainstay Kandi Burruss revealed she will not be returning to the series for the first time in almost 14 years.
The Bravo star confirmed the news to Variety on the Grammys red carpet this weekend, saying “I decided I’m not coming back this year.” She pointed directly to the network dragging their feet on renewing RHOA for Season 16.
“Well, it’s been 14 seasons and they allowed us to sit around for a little too long because they were making a decision,” Burruss said. “But during that time I had started working on a lot of other things and I got some nice, big projects coming soon, so I’m super excited about those things.”
The composer and former singer also added that it felt like it was time to take a break from the show.
Burruss is the longest serving cast member on the show, having been on RHOA since Season 2.
“A friend of mine was like, ‘Why do you keep doing it?’ And I was like, ‘Well, I think because I’ve just been doing it for so long, it feels weird to think not to do it?’” she admitted. “So I was just like, ‘You know what? I’m going to take a break, I’m going to take a moment… I’m not coming back this year.’”
Andy Cohen addressed the news of Burruss’ departure from the show on social media.
“What can I say about Kandi!? One of the greats! A superstar! What a run!” he wrote. Burruss replied in the comments, writing, “I love you Andy!”
Burruss’s news comes after reports that the show could be getting a new cast for Season 16. After Season 15 aired on Bravo in September, a source told Entertainment Tonight that Bravo was considering recasting RHOA just as they did for Real Housewives of New York, a decision that reportedly had the cast “on edge.”
“A major shakeup is coming to The Real Housewives of Atlanta. Before the women filmed their recent reunion, they were told that they should expect a big change with the franchise moving forward,” the source claimed. “They hinted at a reboot like New York got, but it also could be moving forward with only a couple of the current stars. The cast is on edge about their future and has no idea where the network plans to go. Although their ratings are still strong, the network is listening to fans and their desire for a change.”
If the rumors are true, it comes as no surprise that Burruss decided to bow out before any changes were confirmed.
Before she became a mainstay in the Bravo-verse, Burruss led a successful career in music. She was a founding member of the all-girl R&B group XScape before later becoming a Grammy-winning songwriter behind hits like TLC’s “No Scrubs” and “Bills, Bills, Bills” by Destiny’s Child.