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Kandi Burruss is no longer the longest-reigning star of the Real Housewives.
While attending the Grammy Awards on Sunday night, Kandi, 47, announced that she will not be returning to The Real Housewives of Atlanta for the series’ upcoming 16th season. She will instead focus her attention on other projects after being left in limbo with Bravo for “too long.”
“I’m not really keeping up right now. I’m not keeping up. I already said it, so I’ll tell you, I decided I’m not coming back this year,” Kandi confirmed to Variety. “Well, it’s been 14 seasons and they allowed us to sit around for a little too long because they was making a decision.”
As RHOA fans may have heard, rumors of a reboot began swirling shortly after the conclusion of season 15, which featured Kandi, Sheree Whitfield, 54, Drew Sidora, 38, Kenya Moore, 53, Marlo Hampton, 47, and Sanya Richards-Ross in full-time roles and Courtney Rhodes and Monyetta Shaw in friend roles. And earlier this month, Kandi admitted to being frustrated with the delay.
“During that time, I had started working on a lot of other things and I’ve got some nice big projects coming soon so I’m super excited about those things,” Kandi continued on Sunday.
But there was more to her decision to walk away.
“It’s just like, after you really have time to think, and 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 so long, it just feels weird to think not to do it.’ So I was just like, ‘You know what? I’m gonna take a break. I’m gonna take a moment,’” Kandi explained. ” I’m not coming back this year. I don’t want to say never because we’re still going to do things together.”
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Kandi Burruss says she’s not returning to “The Real Housewives of Atlanta.”
♬ original sound – Variety – Variety
After announcing her departure, Kandi shared a series of photos of herself at the Grammys, along with a message about her future.
“I’m looking forward to all the blessings that are manifesting in my life!” she wrote in the caption of a February 4 post on Instagram.
In the comments, a number of fans, and a few Bravolebrities, weighed in.
“You will be missed,” wrote Tamra Judge, 56, as Garcelle Beauvais, 57, shared a series of pink heart emojis.
“Love you [Kandi Burruss],” added B. Scott, 42.
“I’m so proud of you and excited to see what’s to come,” said a fan.
“I’m sad you’re leaving RHOA. I won’t be watching but congratulations on your new projects,” added another.
“We love you Kandi … onward and upward,” said someone else.
“I get it but I’m still bummed. You’re my favorite. The [goat],” another person applauded.
Others spoke of Kandi’s future, with one saying, “QUEEN I’M GOING TO MISS YOU ON RHOA … I KNOW YOU GOT SOME HEAT COMING.”
Then, after Monyetta said Kandi was “looking amazing” in her pics, another IG user wrote, “I’m going to miss you on RHOA but I know you’ll grace my TV on other platforms and I can’t wait to see what you have in store!”
Although Bravo has not yet confirmed when filming will begin on season 17, the Jasmine Brand reported back in November that filming would get underway this spring. They also claimed Bravo would be keeping just three of its current stars.
