Introduction to Kandi Burruss
Kandi Burruss, a 49-year-old star from the popular reality TV show Real Housewives of Atlanta, is set to return to the Broadway stage later this year. She will be joining the cast of the Tony-nominated jukebox musical & Julia, a modern interpretation of Romeo and Juliet featuring popular pop songs from songwriter Max Martin’s catalog.
Broadway Debut and Upcoming Role
Burruss will take on the role of Angélique, Juliet Capulet’s close friend and nurse, starting December 11th, with her last performance scheduled for March 8, 2026. She is thrilled to return to the Broadway stage, stating, "As a songwriter myself, I’m a huge fan of Max Martin’s genius, and returning to Broadway with this joyful musical celebrating his work is a dream come true."
Background and Experience
The Grammy-winning reality TV star is no stranger to Broadway, having made her debut in the hit musical Chicago in 2018 during her long-running tenure at Bravo’s RHOA. Burruss has also been involved as a producer on several shows, including Thoughts of a Colored Man, The Piano Lesson, The Magician, and Othello. She recently joined the production team of Debbie Allen’s upcoming Broadway directorial debut Joe Turner’s Come and Gone, alongside Taraji P. Henson and Cedric the Entertainer.
Rise to Fame and Music Career
Burruss first rose to prominence as the lead singer of the 1990s R&B girl group Xscape, which she founded in 1990 with Tameka "Tiny" Cottle, LaTocha Scott, and Tamika Scott. The group achieved multi-platinum status and became known for hits such as "Just Kickin’ It", "Who Can I Run To", "Understanding", and "My Little Secret".
Reality TV Career and Decision to Leave
In 2009, Burruss joined RHOA, where she endeared herself to fans over the course of 14 seasons before leaving the show in early 2024 to pursue an acting career. She remains the series’ longest-serving cast member. Burruss stated that she wanted to be able to audition for more significant roles and decided to leave the show to focus on her acting career, saying, "I no longer wanted to be able to just be a guest star. I wanted to be able to audition for a role that was more important, no matter what the project was."
