Kandi Burruss

Grammy-winning songwriter Kandi Burruss used RHOA not for fame, but for brand amplification. With her ventures in restaurants, sex education, theater, and e-commerce, Burruss is proof that reality television can be a launchpad for legacy-building—if the portrayal allows for nuance.

However, Burruss wasn’t spared from media harm. A false accusation that she plotted to drug and assault a cast member threatened her business, brand, and safety. Despite its resolution, the moment reveals how quickly narratives around Black women can shift toward criminalization—especially when rooted in stereotypes of hypersexuality and deviance.

Still, Burruss chose vulnerability. Her openness about surrogacy challenges stigma in the Black community. Her leadership on and off the show makes her a powerful example of how ethical branding and personal narrative can co-exist in reality TV.