Kandi Burruss and Tamar Braxton’s Feud, Explained

For years, the two R&B and reality stars have gone back and forth in the public eye.

Kandi Burruss, Tamar Braxton Image: Getty Images Photo by Manny Carabel/Getty Images / Photo by Derek White/Getty Images for CLEO TV

Will Kandi Burruss and Tamar Braxton ever see eye to eye? Not likely. The two reality TV icons and music legends have been in a feud for what seems like ages now, dating back to their days on “Celebrity Big Brother” together to just this week, when Braxton was on “The Breakfast Club,” once again trying to decipher why the two just can’t seem to get on the same page.

Video will return here when scrolled back into view
Tramell Tillman Talks Sparring with Tom Cruise and Bringing That Severance Heat to Mission: Impossible

While Burruss has stepped away from “The Real Housewives” and is busy producing some of the biggest hits on Broadway, Braxton is also enjoying continued success, including the return of her family’s massively popular reality series “The Braxtons,” as well as her music career. While we have no idea if or when these two may finally be able to bury the hatchet, we’re breaking down every moment that led us to this point, from their time together on CBB to today.

Two Big Names in R&B

Image: Getty Images Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images Image: Getty Images Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images

As we mentioned, both Burruss and Braxton came up together around the same time, with Kandi’s band Xscape and Tamar’s The Braxtons (consisting of Tamar and her sisters Toni, Tawanda, and the late Traci), appearing on the charts in the 90s at the same time.

Running in the Same Circles

Image: Getty Images Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for 2017 ESSENCE Festival Image: Getty Images Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for 2017 ESSENCE Festival

The music industry, like most, is small, and the two for sure ran in the same circles, as Braxton confirmed while on “Celebrity Big Brother.” The two have known each other officially for over 30 years, Braxton confirmed on The Breakfast Club. It was a professional endeavor, however, that seemingly changed the course of their relationship forever.

The Great Xscape Reunion Tour

Image: Getty Images Photo by Maury Phillips/Getty Images Image: Getty Images Photo by Maury Phillips/Getty Images

From what we can gather, things really took a turn during 2017’s “The Great Xscape Tour,” which saw the band embark on a nationwide tour alongside Braxton and Monica. While it was not common knowledge that by the end of the tour there was tension between Xscape and Braxton, when the two appeared on “Celebrity Big Brother” in 2019, everything came to a head, and an audience of millions got a front-row seat for this feud.

Celebrity Big Brother Fallout

While on the popular reality series, Braxton claimed the tour was “horrible” for her amid marriage and career woes. She also claimed Burruss “personally interjected” herself into Braxton’s issues, saying she was “talking crazy” about her when she should have “just said nothing.” She said to Burruss, “From my perspective, it was totally, utterly disrespectful and unprofessional.”

Burruss, however, was not having any of it. “Tamar thinks that our group was purposely trying to be mean to her, we were purposely trying to mess up her set,” she explained in a confessional. “But the bottom line is we would not do all of those things on purpose to make her life bad on the tour. We were happy that she was there. So whatever she’s thinking is clearly a misunderstanding.”

Braxton was not backing down, going so far as to call Burruss and her group “unprofessional.” When Burruss started laughing, the situation got even worse, with Braxton getting upset at her chuckles. Ultimately, what happened was a classic case of she said, she said, and we may never know exactly what went down to get these two to such a point of no return.

Years Later, the Feud Continues

Years after their time on “Celebrity Big Brother,” their feud began once again, this time after Burruss claimed that former “RHOA” producer Carlos King was attempting to make an Xscape biopic without her or the group knowing. Since the story became a hot topic, Braxton talked about it on Dish Nation, but defended King, saying that she doesn’t agree with Burruss calling King “a thief.”

Tamar Shades Kandi’s Singing

Image: Getty Images Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for Essence Image: Getty Images Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for Essence

Braxton then found herself in the comments of The Shade Room, taking yet another dig at Burruss. “Imagine having the biggest ego for the most non singing a** person in the music industry,” Tamar wrote in the comments. “Stream my new hit song #changed where I pay homage to the AMAZING swv!!”

Tamar Claims a Real Housewife of Atlanta ‘Threatened’ Her

Image: Getty Images Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for BET Image: Getty Images Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for BET

Months later, things took yet another turn, when Braxton took to her Instagram with a pretty serious claim. The “Love and War” singer wrote, “I was threatened by a [peach emoji] and they man…. It’s BEEF and it’s a REAL BEEF cause yo HUSBAND stepped to me! Periodt!” Naturally, everyone assumed the peach was Burruss, referring to her role as a Real Housewife of Atlanta, and the man her husband, Todd Tucker.

Tamar Confirms the ‘Housewife’ was Allegedly Kandi

Braxton eventually said that it happened to Andy Cohen, the big Bravo boss, himself on Watch What Happens, Live! “It really did happen, I’m not lying,” she told the host. “Like, I’m not looking for attention or drama or anything like that, but that s–t really happened, it was not cute.”

Kandi Claps Back

Image: Getty Images Photo by David Livingston/Getty Images Image: Getty Images Photo by David Livingston/Getty Images

After Braxton’s appearance on WWHL, Burruss took to Instagram, seemingly shading Braxton once again. Burruss shared a clip from “The Addams Family,” when Wednesday Adams refers to another girl as being a “victim all her life,” before pushing her in a pool.

Tamar Doubles Down

Image: Getty Images Photo by Leon Bennett/Getty Images for BET Image: Getty Images Photo by Leon Bennett/Getty Images for BET

In a swift response on Instagram, Tamar doubled down, saying that the alleged moment “obviously happened” and that she is “done talking about it.” She wrote in the now-deleted post, “kandi wants to deflect and condone her man’s behavior by calling me a ‘victim’ (smh)….it’s abusive and disrespectful and it’s NEVER OK FOR A MAN TO STEP TO A WOMAN!!! Fans don’t have to agree!! PERIODT!!”

Kandi Addresses Resurfaced Tamar Comment

Image: Getty Images Photo by Leon Bennett/Getty Images for ESSENCE Image: Getty Images Photo by Leon Bennett/Getty Images for ESSENCE

Now, nearly two years after their last back and forth, the two seem to be at it again. In a recent interview with Entertainment Tonight, Burruss was asked if she would bring Tamar to appear on a reboot of her series, “Kandi and the Gang,” especially after a resurfaced clip of Braxton disparaging Burrus’ Atlanta-based restaurant has gone viral online.

When asked if she can still believe that Tamar is “still on her,” Burruss replied, “I’m not playing games with clowns. I’m not about to be in the circus with [her]…never again.”

Tamar Breaks Down Feud on The Breakfast Club

Image: Getty Images Photo by Derek White/Getty Images for CLEO TV Image: Getty Images Photo by Derek White/Getty Images for CLEO TV

On Friday (March 28), Braxton reacted to the “clown” comment from Burruss, and attempted herself to finally break down what exactly got them to this point. “I’m not gonna really get into it because I don’t want to muster up the situation,” she explained while adding that they “wouldn’t be here” if she “wasn’t lied on.” “That’s my thing. I can deal with anything, but don’t lie on me.”

She added, “She chose to call me a clown, and that pissed me off…But what I don’t want to do is continue that conversation and take away from all the hard work that I have been doing these past couple of years and make it about a beef I don’t have, personally, currently.”

Straight From The Root

Sign up for our free daily newsletter.

Latest from The Root

List of Trump's Allies Who Are Turning Against Him...

List of Trump’s Allies Who Are Turning Against Him…

Trump relied on far-right podcasters and close Republican politicians to win his second term, but now alliances are quickly forming against him …
The Best and Worst Wax Figures of Black Celebrities

The Best and Worst Wax Figures of Black Celebrities

Kevin Hart is the latest celebrity to have their likeness adapted into a wax figure—and let’s just say it’s got plenty of people talking! …
Everything You Need to Know About The WNBA's Historic New CBA Deal After Year-Long Labor Dispute

Everything You Need to Know About The WNBA’s Historic New CBA Deal After Year-Long Labor Dispute

After 17 months of heated negotiations, the WNBA avoided the first work stoppage in league history by reaching a historic deal with its Players Association …
How the Real Rickey Smiley Stepped in to Help a Miami Woman Scammed Out of Cash by a Fake One

How the Real Rickey Smiley Stepped in to Help a Miami Woman Scammed Out of Cash by a Fake One

As a Miami woman sought donations for her charity, she said she was scammed out of $1,200 to meet comedian Rickey Smiley. Now, he’s making it right …
March Madness Is Full of Black Athletes. But Where Are The HBCUs?

March Madness Is Full of Black Athletes. But Where Are The HBCUs?

Black players got the spotlight. Black schools lost the stage …
Jay-Z is Up to Something Big, Now We Have an Idea What it Is

Jay-Z is Up to Something Big, Now We Have an Idea What it Is

After nearly a decade since Jay-Z’s last album, rumors about new music are circulating from fans gearing up for his first performance in years …
Niecy Nash-Betts Shares How She Was Saved on Her Wild Mexico Birthday Trip

Niecy Nash-Betts Shares How She Was Saved on Her Wild Mexico Birthday Trip

Nicey Nash-Betts’ recent birthday trip to Mexico took an unexpected turn thanks to inner-city violence. Now, we finally know how she ended up back home! …
Why Black Folks' Reactions to Teyana Taylor's Oscars Behavior Is Problematic

Why Black Folks’ Reactions to Teyana Taylor’s Oscars Behavior Is Problematic

Teyana Taylor’s behavior at the Oscars has prompted a lot of online discourse and criticism. But it may be unfairly targeted towards her. Let’s talk about why! …
Jasmine Crockett Speaks On Her Former Security Guard Killed by Dallas SWAT

Jasmine Crockett Speaks On Her Former Security Guard Killed by Dallas SWAT

Under the alias “Mike King,” one Black man landed a job working for Texas Rep. Crockett before being killed in a standoff with police …
The Chilling Rise of the 'Alpine Divorce,' Where Men Take Their Wives to Hike— Then Purposefully Abandon Them

The Chilling Rise of the ‘Alpine Divorce,’ Where Men Take Their Wives to Hike— Then Purposefully Abandon Them

Inside the dangerous relationship trend you’ve never heard of: Alpine divorces, where men desert their partners on hikes to break up …
MacKenzie Scott Makes Major Donation to Small NC HBCU

MacKenzie Scott Makes Major Donation to Small NC HBCU

School Chancellor S. Keith Hargrove Sr. announced that MacKenzie Scott has donated $42 million to Elizabeth City State University …
Is Trump Mocking People With Disabilities His Lowest Blow?

Is Trump Mocking People With Disabilities His Lowest Blow?

Adding to Trump’s history of offending people with disabilities, the president took aim at Gov. Newsom, who has dyslexia …
Story Behind Michael B. Jordan's Viral In-N-Out Stop

Story Behind Michael B. Jordan’s Viral In-N-Out Stop

From the red carpet to red, white and yellow burger chain, Jordan’s humble stop celebrated celebrity accessibility and Hollywood tradition in all the right ways …
New Study Reveals RFK Jr's Health Policies Are a Danger for Black Americans

New Study Reveals RFK Jr’s Health Policies Are a Danger for Black Americans

An analysis from Protect Our Care and American Public Health Association found RFK Jr.’s “crusade against vaccines” especially harmful for Black Americans …
5 Black Women Dominating College Basketball’s NIL Earnings

5 Black Women Dominating College Basketball’s NIL Earnings

These Black women are putting up numbers on the court and off the court in the business world …
Woman From Coldplay CEO Scandal Reveals Shocking Fact to Oprah About Viral Moment

Woman From Coldplay CEO Scandal Reveals Shocking Fact to Oprah About Viral Moment

Kristin Cabot, the woman at the center of the infamous July 2025 CEO Scandal at a Coldplay concert, is opening up to Oprah and sharing new details! …
Black America is Trying to Decode Obama's Cryptic X Post About “Unfinished Business”

Black America is Trying to Decode Obama’s Cryptic X Post About “Unfinished Business”

After Obama posts cryptic message online, Black folks are divided on what this means for the future of the country …
Experts: Why Black America Needs to Embrace Bankruptcy To Protect and Grow Wealth

Experts: Why Black America Needs to Embrace Bankruptcy To Protect and Grow Wealth

Slutty Vegan founder Pinky Cole broke the internet— and bankruptcy stigma. Discover how Chapters 7, 11 and 13 can protect Black wealth without shame …
Rihanna Home Shooting Suspect Did This Wild Thing Just Months Before Committing Crime

Rihanna Home Shooting Suspect Did This Wild Thing Just Months Before Committing Crime

More information about the woman charged with shooting at Rihanna’s home have been released and it’s truly disturbing! …
Jack Harlow Said He Got 'Blacker' and the Internet Is Outraged

Jack Harlow Said He Got ‘Blacker’ and the Internet Is Outraged

Rapper Jack Harlow is causing a stir online with his latest admission, and some folks aren’t feeling what he’s sharing! Let’s get into it …