Kandi Burruss announces 'break' from 'Real Housewives of Atlanta': 'I'm not coming back this year'
Kandi Burruss is closing her chapter on "The Real Housewives of Atlanta" following Season 15.
The Bravolebrity, 47, revealed on the Grammys red carpet on Sunday that she's "going to take a break" after appearing on the franchise since 2009.
"I decided I'm not coming back this year. It's been 14 seasons and they allowed us to sit around for a little too long," Burruss told Variety, referring to the time since Season 15's finale in August. "During that time I had started working on a lot of other things."
The Grammy-winning singer-songwriter added: "I got some nice big projects coming soon, so I’m super excited about those things."
Burruss said during her time away from the show, a friend had her reflect on why she continues to film "RHOA."
"I think because I've just been doing it for so long, it feels weird to think not to do it?" she recalled telling her friend. "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.'"
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Bravo executive producer and "Watch What Happens Live" host Andy Cohen reflected on Burruss' "incredible run" on Monday's episode of SiriusXM’s "Andy Cohen Live."
"She was always very true to herself. She wanted to be the best. She has been one of my favorite people to work with in my whole time first as an exec at Bravo, and then as an EP of 'The Housewives,'" he said, adding, "I love how competitive she is. I love how thoughtful and smart she is."
Cohen noted that Burruss not only contributed to the show as a cast member, but she would offer advice on marketing and how the network "could be conducting business differently that might be just more inclusive, more positive, more meaningful."
"That's a partner. That's someone who's like, 'We are in this together. We have a long history. This is what I'm seeing that's going on. This is how it could be better,'" Cohen said of Burruss' implementation of change at Bravo.
He concluded: "I know that she's going to continue being a success in everything she does."
Burruss first appeared on "RHOA" in Season 2. She has since become the longest-serving cast member, outrunning NeNe Leakes, Porsha Williams, Phaedra Parks, Kenya Moore and other notable women who had long stints on the show.
Outside of her appearances on reality television, Burruss has been a staple figure in R&B as a co-founding member of Xscape and has songwriting credits for TLC, Destiny's Child, Usher and more. She is also a restauranteur, owning Atlanta spots Old Lady Gang as well as Blaze Steak and Seafood.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Kandi Burruss leaving 'Real Housewives of Atlanta,' announces 'break'
