Music mogul and reality TV veteran Kandi Burruss is an amazing woman with multiple talents and sundry incomes. From singing onstage with ’90s girl group Xscape to commanding the small screen on “Real Housewives of Atlanta,” the mother of two has quite the life story. Here are five things you might not have known about Burruss.
Dated Jermaine Dupri
In 2017, while on Andy Cohen‘s “Watch What Happens Live,” Burruss confirmed that she and music producer Jermaine Dupri had hooked up during their Xscape days.
Both the “RHOA” star and Dupri denied that their relationship was the reason Xscape broke up years later.
Ex-Boyfriend Dated Tiny Harris
The 43-year-old entrepreneur was engaged to Ashley “A.J.” Jewell during her first season on “RHOA.” The pair dated for several years, but called it quits in August 2009, a few years before A.J. died.
Burruss dated A.J. all the way back during her Xscape days, even when he was involved with her group mate and now bestie Tameka “Tiny” Harris.
Her Brother Died
The mother of two’s brother, Patrick Burruss, died in 1991 after a car crash in Mexico, an apparent head-on collision.
Burruss was 15-years-old at the time of her brother’s death. He was 22 when he was killed.
Owns a Cosmetic Line
In July, the Grammy Award-winning songwriter launched her makeup line Kandi Koated Cosmetics. The collection’s makeup shades range from deep espresso and bold reds and purples to brilliant metallics and buttery nudes.
According to an interview with Beauty Packaging, Burruss said her makeup line was designed for “those seeking to express their authentic selves — who know they’re worth and want to look and feel confident on their own terms.”
Songwriting Career
After Xscape broke up in the late ’90s, Burruss went on to write songs for Mariah Carey, Faith Evans, Pink, Whitney Houston, Alicia Keys and many more. She won a Grammy for writing TLC’s “No Scrubs” in 1999. She was also nominated for writing Destiny Child’s “Bills, Bills, Bills,” but did not win.
