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
AI Is the New Civil Rights Frontier: Loren Douglass on Wealth, Politics & Power

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

More Telltale Signs that Trump Is Quickly Running Out of Time

More Telltale Signs that Trump Is Quickly Running Out of Time

With Trump facing continuous protests, lawsuits and dissent within his own party, growing pressure could mean a disastrous ending for him …
A Peek Inside Aretha Franklin's 1990s Detroit Mansion, In Honor of Her 84th Birthday

A Peek Inside Aretha Franklin’s 1990s Detroit Mansion, In Honor of Her 84th Birthday

In honor of what would have been her 84th birthday, check out the beautiful palace that the Queen of Soul called home! …
Why Serena Williams' Look in Her Latest Social Media Post Has Her Black Fans Going Off

Why Serena Williams’ Look in Her Latest Social Media Post Has Her Black Fans Going Off

Serena Williams has unfortunately reignited more talks of potential skin bleaching thank to new posts on social media. And folks online are not happy! …
Lamar Odom's Ex Liza Morales Reveals the Tragedy That Ended Their Relationship

Lamar Odom’s Ex Liza Morales Reveals the Tragedy That Ended Their Relationship

While many know NBA star Lamar Odom for his famous relationship with Khloe Kardashian, his teenage sweetheart is finally opening up about their dynamic …
Tank vs. Tyrese: The Ultimate R&B Playlist for the 'Verzuz' Battle

Tank vs. Tyrese: The Ultimate R&B Playlist for the ‘Verzuz’ Battle

“Verzuz” is back, y’all! From “Sweet Lady” to “When We,” Tank and Tyrese are bringing all their hits to the stage. We curated the best playlist to get you ready to sing and slow dance for the show …
Black People Are Asking Why We Didn't Know About Mamdani’s Wife’s N-Word Tweets

Black People Are Asking Why We Didn’t Know About Mamdani’s Wife’s N-Word Tweets

Black folks are pissed after Zohran Mamdani’s wife’s old tweets resurfaced, painting her in a problematic light within the Black community …
The Numbers Don't Lie—Black Women Are Leading and It Has Nothing to Do With Magic

The Numbers Don’t Lie—Black Women Are Leading and It Has Nothing to Do With Magic

From the C-suite to entrepreneurship, Black women have had a record-breaking rise in recent years, even as they battle an uneven playing field …
Why a Comedian's Translation of 'The Lion King's' Iconic Opening Song Just Backfired in a BIG Way

Why a Comedian’s Translation of ‘The Lion King’s’ Iconic Opening Song Just Backfired in a BIG Way

The “Circle of Life” chant is one of the most recognizable sounds in Disney movie history! But right now, it’s the center of a $27 million legal war …
Black America Reacts To The Rise Of Black ICE Agents

Black America Reacts To The Rise Of Black ICE Agents

Reviews are mixed on whether maskless Black ICE agents are causing more harm than good in U.S. airports …
Woman Will Become a Doctor at the Hospital Where She Once Cleaned Floors

Woman Will Become a Doctor at the Hospital Where She Once Cleaned Floors

Shay Taylor-Allen shared a now-viral clip of the moment she learned that she would do her medical residency at Yale Hospital –where she once worked as a janitor …
We Finally Know More About The Usher and Justin Bieber Confrontation

We Finally Know More About The Usher and Justin Bieber Confrontation

Usher and Justin Bieber allegedly got into a ‘heated exchange’ during an Oscars after-party. And now we’ve got insight into what really went down! …
Boston's 'Best Social Justice Advocate' Learns Fate After Stealing $224K From the BLM Movement for Vacations, Dinners

Boston’s ‘Best Social Justice Advocate’ Learns Fate After Stealing $224K From the BLM Movement for Vacations, Dinners

Monica Cannon-Grant, named “Bostonian of the Year,” stole donations and rental aid while illegally collecting unemployment as she organized BLM …
Black Woman Charged With Murder For Taking Abortion Pills

Black Woman Charged With Murder For Taking Abortion Pills

In a shocking turn of events, a Republican judge and DA both agreed a woman’s arrest after taking abortion pills in Georgia was “problematic.” …
'How Long Not Long' – The Promise and Warning of Dr. King's Montgomery Speech Six Decades Later

‘How Long Not Long’ – The Promise and Warning of Dr. King’s Montgomery Speech Six Decades Later

Today, 61 years ago, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his famous Alabama speech, “How Long, Not Long,” reminding us that the arc of the moral universe bends only when we bend it …
Yung Miami Reveals Why She Stood Up for Diddy's Character During Trial

Yung Miami Reveals Why She Stood Up for Diddy’s Character During Trial

Rapper Yung Miami, one half of the rap duo The City Girls, was romantically linked to Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs from 2021 to 2023 …
Why Michael B. Jordan's Oscar Win Isn't Feeling the Love From Judge Joe Brown

Why Michael B. Jordan’s Oscar Win Isn’t Feeling the Love From Judge Joe Brown

While many are ecstatic over Michael B. Jordan’s long-awaited Oscar win, Judge Joe Brown says it’s not all it’s cracked up to be …
A Year After Eaton Wildfires Devastated this Historic Black Neighborhood, a Full Investigation Begins

A Year After Eaton Wildfires Devastated this Historic Black Neighborhood, a Full Investigation Begins

Calif. AG Rob Bonta is investigating whether systemic racism impacted how emergency responders reacted to devastating Eaton wildfires …
Don Lemon Shares His Frightening Connection to Rihanna Shooting Incident

Don Lemon Shares His Frightening Connection to Rihanna Shooting Incident

Don Lemon, who recently celebrated his 60th birthday with Rihanna, is opening up about the eerie connection he had to her home shooting …
New Twist in Nia Long's Allege Stalker Drama

New Twist in Nia Long’s Allege Stalker Drama

‘The Best Man’ actress seeks court protection for her family following a two-year pattern of alleged harassment and a terrifying weekend encounter …
What J. Cole Says About Drake and Kendrick Will Surprise You

What J. Cole Says About Drake and Kendrick Will Surprise You

J. Cole said he was “disgusted” that the world turned on Drake during his beef against Kendrick Lamar …