Kandi Burruss' First Essence Cover!

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.

Quotes from the article:

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.”

Photo Credit: Miller Mobley

Click Here for more