Kandi Burruss Interview 2015: 'RHOA' Star Talks Sex, NeNe Fighting Claudia & Male Bashing [EXCLUSIVE]
Kandi Burruss seems out of place. As one of the headlining stars of Bravo's blockbuster reality show Real Housewives of Atlanta, the Grammy winning singer-songwriter and founder of the adult-theme sex toy company Bedroom Kandi doesn't fit the notorious series' uber ratchet reputation. No, you won't find Burruss angrily snatching the weave off of a cast member's hair or plotting the demise of a frienemy. In fact, so far the major drama surrounding Kandi and her husband Todd Tucker this season has been the couples' so far unsuccessful (and at times humorous) attempts to have a baby.
EnStars caught up with the bubbly personality to discuss such topics as her calming role on the Housewives franchise's most successful spinoff, the jaw-dropping war-of-words between NeNe Leakes and Claudia Jorda, her come-up as the ultimate sex expert and why Queen Beyoncé rules.
EnStars: So let's start with a topic that seems to be burning up social media--the fight between NeNe Leakes and Claudia Jordan. You were on hand for their over-the-top exchanges in which NeNe shockingly called Claudia a half-breed. Is there anything that shocks you on RHOA anymore?
Kandi: Not really [laughs]. There's always an argument that breaks out. Now I wasn't expecting for them to start arguing like that. I didn't expect it to go to that level with NeNe's "half-breed" comment. The whole thing was more funny to me than anything else. But I'm sure Claudia didn't think it was funny.
You and your husband Todd have perhaps the most functional, no-drama storyline on Real Housewives of Atlanta. How hard has it been to keep your family's relationship away from the usual reality-show ratchetness?
It can be very stressful to have your family on TV. Todd has been the talk of many conversations. The years in which my family wasn't the focus those were the easiest years for me on the show. But in the last two years, me and Todd's relationship has been more in the public eye. That's when things really got real because my mom always makes her opinion be known, on or off camera [laughs]. Certain things that Todd may say or my mom may say, those two will never know about because I'm not going to tell them. But because we are on TV they automatically are going to know what the other one has said! You instantly have to discuss what is being taped on camera.
Can you speak on the evolution of your Bedroom Kandi sex toy business? What have you learned about yourself, your critics, and your customers since establishing your adult aimed line?
Through my customers I have found out that I have a lot of fans out there who support me. The curiosity of it all is cool because at the end of the day we do have a good product. But I've also learned that a lot of people can be very judgmental. In the beginning when I first decided that Bedroom Kandi was something that I wanted to do people were telling me, "Girl, I don't know if this is something you should be doing. That's not good for your brand to be talking about sex in public." But you know what? It's not really that much of an issue to me. I'm glad I listened to myself because it has turned out to be a successful business for me.
There are some really blush-inducing products in the Bedroom Kandi line.
But I believe it's all something that people can benefit from. Not only did we decide to do the products and the toys, but then I wanted to do the at-home party networks. My whole thing is lets make money together. Women can make more money if we team up instead of always hating on each other. So I put that whole perspective in the business side. With our at-home party side of Bedroom Kandi it has become massive. We have over 1,000 women now who are consultants.
You have an online series called Kandi Koated Nights where you and guests talk pretty open and graphically about relationships and sex. Is there a dream guest that you would love to see bare it all on your show?
I think [the rapper] Kevin Gates would be hilarious [laughs]. But if I had to choose someone that would be my dream guest that would be Oprah [Winfrey}. I know she would never do it, but I would love to know her best bedroom advice. Because when we look at Oprah we don't think of her doing anything like that. I'm sure she has some tricks that we may not know about.
Following your time with the platinum R&B group Xscape, you went on to have a successful career as a songwriter. You wrote two of your early noteworthy hits "Bills, Bills, Bills" and "Bug A Boo" for Destiny's Child. What are your earliest memories of working with Beyoncé and what is your take of her evolution as a solo icon?
Beyoncé was very determined and motivated, even back then. I remember her and Destiny's Child coming into work on their second album and Beyoncé's dad telling us, "Well, I don't know if we will be working with you guys." They were kind of iffy on us because in his mind he had already determined who the girls were going to work with. So I asked them could I sing them the concept I had for the song "Bug A Boo." After I sung a verse they liked it.
Even at that point, Beyoncé knew what she wanted. She had a leader personality. Beyoncé would help vocally produce the girls. She was very driven, honest and her voice was super dope at that age, but I think it's even better now. Beyoncé doesn't do as many runs as she did back then. She has made her sound more refined.
Over the years you have gotten a reputation for writing what some people call male-bashing songs, most prominently TLC's landmark single "Scrubs." Is it safe to say that your husband Todd should be walking on eggshells?
[Laughs] I used to catch that man-hating flack all the time. But I always say it's not me, it's the people. Because the songs that blow up are the ones that end up being the quote, unquote male-bashing records from Pink's "There You Go" to "Scrubs." I've written a lot of songs that were love songs or happy songs. But the ones that people go for are very hardcore.
You mentioned Pink. She has been able to switch musical genres from R&B to rock to pop. What is your take on Pink's career arc?
She has always been willing to take risks. I love the change and I love her new sound. I used to see Pink in a girl group that was first signed to LaFace Records. But I always thought she was dope. I'm glad she has decided to take those risks.