ESSENCE’s October cover features singer and Real Housewives of
Atlanta star Kandi Burruss – her first ESSENCE cover!
The singer, songwriter restaurateur,
entrepreneur, Real Housewives of Atlanta star and mother lets ESSENCE in
on the art of the hustle and how she’s surviving drama while building a
legacy.
The issue goes on-sale Friday, September 22
COVER QUOTES
On the frailty of fame: “It’s a
very humbling moment when your songs aren’t on the radio anymore. I didn’t
appreciate what that success was when we had it. I remember feeling like, when I
get things back the way I want them to be, I will never take anything for
granted again.”
On how public betrayal made her rethink doing
RHOA: “…I honestly had a lot of times when I just cried.
There were moments when I really wanted to say, ‘You know what? I’m done with
this!’ I was vindicated in front of millions, which helped me to feel
comfortable again…”
Comparing single motherhood to her current blended
family: “…as Riley got older, I saw that there were things
she did miss, not having her dad really there. Now this is even better. We’re a
whole family—we’ve got Riley, Kaela [Tucker’s 21-year-old daughter from a
previous relationship] and Ace [the couple’s 21-month-old son.]”
On “grinding like she’s broke” and building and
empire: “Some of us are doers and some of us are just
dreamers. I’m both. I’m trying to build so that I can set up my children to have
great futures. All of these different companies that we have, I would love for
them to be passed down from generation to generation. I want my kids to be
leaders.”
RHOA Executive Producer Andy
Cohen on Burress’ reality
TV career: “She’s lived through so much in front of the camera
and she’s had an incredible amount of drama, but through it all she’s been
exactly herself.”
