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
Confederate Memorial Day Is A Holiday? Here Are 5 States That Celebrate

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

Black Directors Who Should Have Oscars, But Don't

Black Directors Who Should Have Oscars, But Don’t

As Ryan Coogler could make history at the 2026 Oscars, let’s look back at Black directors whose films deserved more recognition than they got! …
Why Everybody is Suddenly Giving Black Women Their Much-Deserved Flowers!

Why Everybody is Suddenly Giving Black Women Their Much-Deserved Flowers!

From Sterling K. Brown to white folks on TikTok, Black women are finally receiving their flowers for being the backbone of society— and we love to see it …
Black Americans Respond to Possible Boots on the Ground as Iran Conflict Rages Forward

Black Americans Respond to Possible Boots on the Ground as Iran Conflict Rages Forward

Black folks woke up on the last day of Black History Month to military strikes in Iran. Now, they’re voicing frustrations as questions about ground troops arise …
Former Black Inmate Makes History as First Ever in U.S. to Buy a Prison Facility

Former Black Inmate Makes History as First Ever in U.S. to Buy a Prison Facility

Kerwin Pittman becomes the first formerly incarcerated Black man to buy a U.S. prison, transforming a site of confinement into a reentry campus …
Full Timeline of Dwight Howard and Amy Luciani's Rocky 14-Month Marriage Now Headed to Divorce

Full Timeline of Dwight Howard and Amy Luciani’s Rocky 14-Month Marriage Now Headed to Divorce

Folks online who followed Dwight Howard and Amy Luciani’s marriage say its been rocky early on before Howard filed for divorce. Here’s the full rundown …
NBA Shuts Down Atlanta Hawks' 'Magic City Monday' Promotion, Black Twitter Responds

NBA Shuts Down Atlanta Hawks’ ‘Magic City Monday’ Promotion, Black Twitter Responds

The NBA canceled the Atlanta Hawks’ collab with the popular strip club after growing backlash …
Lil Baby is Trying to Save His Atlanta Neighborhood, One Property at a Time

Lil Baby is Trying to Save His Atlanta Neighborhood, One Property at a Time

After gentrification pushed thousands of Black folks out of historic Atlanta neighborhoods, rapper Lil Baby returns to his stomping grounds with a new business plan …
Smoothie King Fired Staff Who Refused MAGA Couple Service— But Here’s the Ironic Double Standard Everyone is Missing

Smoothie King Fired Staff Who Refused MAGA Couple Service— But Here’s the Ironic Double Standard Everyone is Missing

Two Michigan Smoothie King workers were canned after refusing service to pro-Trump customers, meanwhile, Black folks are calling out a double standard …
Howard University Athletes Take a Stand Against New Kneeling Policy for the National Anthem

Howard University Athletes Take a Stand Against New Kneeling Policy for the National Anthem

Since 2020, athletes at Howard University have kneeled to protest the national anthem. Now, a new policy banning kneeling is causing trouble …
Why The New Yorker's Drawing of Wunmi Mosaku Has Fans Furious 

Why The New Yorker’s Drawing of Wunmi Mosaku Has Fans Furious 

‘Sinners’ star Wunmi Mosaku has been riding high off her first Oscar nomination, but one drawing didn’t reflect that and fans are calling it out! …
Locksmith Refuses Service to Black Chick-fil-A Owner – Then Gets Hit With a Reality Check

Locksmith Refuses Service to Black Chick-fil-A Owner – Then Gets Hit With a Reality Check

A Black Chick-fil-A franchise owner went viral after recalling how a locksmith refused to help her because he didn’t believe she was the owner …
How One Black Woman is Saying No to Work and Yes to Unapologetic Rest

How One Black Woman is Saying No to Work and Yes to Unapologetic Rest

After being laid off in 2025, Brandy Walker is launching a one-year sabbatical for all Black women to join! …
You Won't Believe Why Stephen A. Smith Is Not Running For President in 2028

You Won’t Believe Why Stephen A. Smith Is Not Running For President in 2028

The host of ESPN’s “First Take” has been open about possibly running for the highest office in the nation …
Terrence Howard Just Said The Quiet Part Out Loud About Black Boys and Sexual Abuse

Terrence Howard Just Said The Quiet Part Out Loud About Black Boys and Sexual Abuse

Terrence Howard’s painful story exposes a truth we rarely confront. Black boys are vulnerable to abuse but are almost never treated like victims …
Strange New Details Emerge About Suspect in Rihanna Home Shooting

Strange New Details Emerge About Suspect in Rihanna Home Shooting

After shots were shockingly fired at Rihanna’s home on Sunday, the singer and the public finally have some good news …
Tony! Toni! Toné! Drama: Founder's Family Fights Over Disinheritance

Tony! Toni! Toné! Drama: Founder’s Family Fights Over Disinheritance

D’Wayne Wiggins passed away in March 2025 after a year-long battle with bladder cancer …
Alabama Is Set to Execute A Black Man Who Didn't Kill Anyone

Alabama Is Set to Execute A Black Man Who Didn’t Kill Anyone

Three decades after being sentenced for a murder he didn’t even witness, Sonny Burton is now only days away from his scheduled execution …
Beyond Damson Idris:Lori Harvey's Star-Studded Dating Life

Beyond Damson Idris:Lori Harvey’s Star-Studded Dating Life

With Lori Harvey and her ex-boo Damson Idris back in headlines, let’s take a look at the socialite and budding actress’ dating history! …
Pastor Seen Shoving Elderly Woman Down Church Steps on Camera, Speaks out

Pastor Seen Shoving Elderly Woman Down Church Steps on Camera, Speaks out

A California pastor accused of pushing a church elder down a short flight of cement steps and out a metal gate just shared his side of the story …
How Trump's White Female Voters Got Played

How Trump’s White Female Voters Got Played

Opinion: White women thought they were winning under Trump. They did not realize they were just being used …