Riley Burruss Shares Kandi’s Reality TV Wisdom & If Mama Joyce Tunes In to Bravo Show

Riley Burruss is currently capturing attention on Next Gen NYC, a Bravo reality show that shines a spotlight on the children of The Real Housewives series stars.

As the daughter of Kandi Burruss, a Grammy-winning artist and prominent personality from The Real Housewives of Atlanta, Riley has grown up in the public eye. The new series Next Gen NYC offers her a fresh stage to express her own unique character.

“It began with Brooks [Marks] and me,” Riley explained in an interview with Deadline, discussing her relationship with her co-star, who is the son of Meredith Marks from Real Housewives of Salt Lake City. “Brooks approached me first, and things just progressed from there. I felt it was the right time to step into reality TV after I graduated from school, and soon after, everything fell into place. I thought, ‘This is exciting. A new chapter. Why not?’”

Having a mother experienced in reality TV, Riley had a role model and a guide to help her navigate this new environment.

“She always told me to be truthful, not to fabricate or exaggerate for the cameras, but to just be myself,” Riley recounted the advice from her mother, Kandi. “She didn’t want to coach me too much; she preferred that I find my own path and learn some things on my own.”

In Next Gen NYC, Riley is reunited with her childhood friend Arianna Berman, daughter of Kim Zolciak of RHOA. Despite a past fallout between their mothers, the series has rekindled their friendship.

“Before reconnecting with Arianna on the show, I was uncertain about how we would get along after nearly a decade apart,” Riley shared about their reunion. “Thankfully, our personalities clicked right away, and we’ve been close ever since.”

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She added, “We consciously avoid discussing our parents’ past disputes. Both our mothers have moved on from those days and encouraged us to do the same. They both support our friendship, so we’ve left the past behind and are focused on building our new bond.”

Kandi, Riley’s mother, follows Next Gen NYC closely and, despite initial worries, feels proud of how Riley portrays herself, recognizing her maturity.

Real Housewives of Atlanta fans are familiar with Riley’s grandmother, Mama Joyce, known for her dynamic appearances on the show. Riley is unsure if her grandmother has managed to watch Next Gen NYC yet, but she plans to show her how to stream it on Peacock.

Unlike her co-star Brooks Marks, who tends to avoid confrontations, Riley is not shy about expressing her opinions and standing her ground on the show. “Brooks is more reserved, but he’s getting there. We’ve all advised him on expressing his feelings openly. He has good people around him, and it’s fine to take things at his own pace,” she explained.

Looking ahead, Riley is enthusiastic about the possibility of continuing with Next Gen NYC. “I hope this isn’t just a one-and-done experience,” she said. “I’m looking forward to seeing what the future holds, and I’m keeping my fingers crossed.”