Kandi Burruss Responds to Backlash Over Todd Chrisley Pardon Support, Calls Him a “Voice” for Minorities

Kandi Burruss is speaking out after facing criticism for showing support to Todd Chrisley following the news of his presidential pardon.

While attending the 25th Annual BET Awards on Monday, the 49-year-old Real Housewives of Atlanta alum defended her friend Todd, 56, spoke of daughter Riley Burruss‘ new role on Next Gen NYC, and explained why she stands by her decision to leave Bravo.

“When I showed love to [Todd], I did get a little negativity online, and I don’t know why because Todd and I … we’ve been knowing each other since years ago … [So] of course I’m happy for my friend,” Kandi said during a June 9 interview with Entertainment Tonight.

Although Todd’s claims against the prison system and the injustice he reportedly witnessed have been deemed disingenuous by some, Kandi insisted that “he’s definitely a voice” for minorities.

“He always cared about minorities and issues that dealt with minorities. He’s raising a daughter who’s a young Black woman. So those issues, even though it doesn’t affect him personally, it affects him,” she explained. “He was already talking about the issues before he got out of jail, so I don’t want people to try to say, ‘Just because he got out of jail…’ because he was already sending letters and doing things to talk about the injustice that was happening where he was.”

Moving on to Riley’s new show, Kandi shared the advice she gave her.

“I always tell her, whenever you do reality, you gotta be honest because you don’t want them to roll the camera back on you. So I said, ‘Stand on business every time,’” she recalled.

While celebrating 25 years of BET, Kandi revealed her “first appearance ever” was on the network when she was 14 or 15, and recalled it playing her music videos with Xscape.

“BET was the first network to give us a shot and give me an opportunity to be on TV,” she noted.

During another interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Kandi admitted she’s been “extremely blessed” since leaving her role on RHOA.

“When you make a big decision to move on from something that’s been a part of my life, obviously, I was on [RHOA] for 14 seasons. That’s a very long time, and to make the decision to step away was really hard, but I’m glad that I’ve been able to do all the other things that I’ve been doing in this past year,” she shared. 

According to Kandi, it was the success of Othello, a Broadway show she co-produced, that really solidified her decision.

“For us to break records and make history, that was kind of one of those things that told me, ‘Girl, you’re doing the right thing.’ Even last summer, I was on tour while the girls were shooting this season of [RHOA], so the Xscape and SWV Reunion Tour did crazy numbers. We did amazing things together. [And] I’ve been on a lot of different shows, including The Chi,” she continued.

Her exit from RHOA has also allowed more time to focus on family.

“It’s a lot to juggle, and before, [RHOA] was taking up a lot of my time,” she stated.

Then, after noting that she wants the show to continue, Kandi confessed to getting tea from Shamea Morton, 43.

“I be getting the tea, honey … Shamea be calling me, ‘What should I do?’” she laughed.

The Real Housewives of Atlanta season 16 airs Sundays at 8/7c on Bravo.