“Real Housewives of Atlanta” star Kandi Burruss may no longer be on Bravo, but her daughter, Riley Burruss, is just getting her reality TV career started.
Last summer, Riley appeared in the first season of the network’s latest reality series, “Next Gen: NYC.” There, she showcased her life in the city with some of her closest friends, including other “Real Housewives” offspring.
Of course, Bravo fans are familiar with Riley Burruss, as she was featured on “RHOA” alongside her mother and the rest of her family. However, it’s a different ball game when you’re in the driver’s seat, according to Kandi.
Kandi Burruss Gave Her Daughter Riley Sound Advice Before She Began Her Reality TV Career With Bravo
Season 2 of “Next Gen: NYC,” which follows Riley, Kim Zolciak-Biermann’s daughter, Ariana, Teresa Giudice’s child, Gia, and Meredith Marks’s son, Brooks, will air on Bravo in the coming months.
Speaking with PEOPLE, Kandi revealed how she prepped her daughter for life in the Bravo bubble.
“Well, I just told her don’t be on there [and] say anything that you ain’t going to stand behind. You got to make sure you keep it honest on this show,” Kandi said. “And even if you say something they don’t like, just own it and keep it pushing.”
Kandi, who spent 14 years on “Real Housewives of Atlanta,” knows a thing or two about dramatic feuds. She explained to her daughter that while conflict is the name of the game, there’s one thing she wouldn’t want to happen on the series.
“Don’t let them rewind no tapes on you like how they do [with] people on the shows. We not doing that,” Kandi said.
Kandi Burruss Was A Little Nervous For Her Daughter To Star In ‘Next Gen: NYC’
Season 1 of “Next Gen: NYC” finished with a bang, and Riley was at the center of the show’s drama.
In a 2025 interview, Kandi revealed she was apprehensive about her daughter being center stage on the up-and-coming program.
“People already be trying to say crazy stuff about my child online and other celebrity kids,” Kandi said. “When it’s her out front, it’s like really nothing I could do to shelter her.”
Kandi explained that, in the past, the cameras mainly followed her. “It ain’t about me [this time],” Kandi shared. “You’re not just catching a stray. It’s like people can really just focus on you and say whatever they want to say and for sure so I’m scared. Oh Lord. I’m scared of what she gonna be doing on there, child.”
Riley Opened Up About Her Experience Filming By Herself For The First Time
Thankfully for Kandi, the first season wasn’t as bad as she thought it might’ve been. In fact, Riley previously shared how “proud” she was of herself for making it through on her own.
“I think the thing I’m most proud of is how well I articulated myself [throughout the whole season]. At first, I thought that I didn’t do as great. In the moment, you’re emotional, you’re not really realizing how it’s going,” Riley shared.
Riley explained that following in her mom’s footsteps meant more to her than people likely realized, adding, “I’m glad that I can make an impact somewhere.”
She also echoed the advice her mother had given her before the cameras began rolling. “She told me, ‘Just be yourself, be honest, be real and just figure out what you want to do [in real-time]. As long as you’re honest, you will be OK — don’t lie about anything,’” Riley added.
Kandi Burruss Says She’s Still Funding Daughter Riley’s New York City Lifestyle
According to a previous report from The Blast, Kandi discussed her finances with Bravo figurehead Andy Cohen on an episode of “Watch What Happens Live.”
During their conversation, the mother of three said that her daughter, Riley, relies on her more than she’d like.
“Riley runs through my pockets,” she said, adding that Riley’s two-bedroom NYC apartment is one of her biggest expenses.
“That girl…” Kandi finished.
Kandi Is No Longer Filming ‘RHOA,’ But She Wants The Show To Succeed
While Burruss is no longer holding a peach on “RHOA,” the singer and songwriter said in a previous interview that she was still rooting for the show’s success.
“I think it’s important to continue to support the franchise even though I’m not there because I was there for 14 seasons, and I want them to be successful,” she said, per The Blast. “I want ‘Real Housewives of Atlanta’ to continue on another 15 years.”