Riley Burruss


Riley Joyce Burruss is an American reality television personality, musician, and entrepreneur. She is best known for her appearances on the Bravo reality television programs Real Housewives of Atlanta and Next Gen NYC. Burruss is the eldest daughter of singer and television personality Kandi Burruss.

Early Life and Education

Riley Burruss was born in Atlanta, Georgia to Kandi Burruss and Russell “Block” Spencer on August 22, 2002. Her father was largely absent during Burruss’s upbringing and did not play an active role in her day-to-day life; however, the two reconciled once Burruss became an adult. In 2014, her mother married Todd Tucker, who became Burruss’s stepfather. Through this marriage, Burruss gained a stepsister, Kaela Tucker, and her mother later gave birth to a half brother, Ace. In 2020, the family welcomed a final child, Burruss's half sister Blaze, into the family via surrogacy. In November 2025, her mother announced that she and Todd Tucker were divorcing.
Burruss graduated from New York University in 2024. Burruss originally studied nutrition but graduated with a bachelor's degree in music business. Burruss was a first generation college student. Burruss has long aspired to become an attorney. In 2019, Burrus worked as an intern for a law firm in New York. In 2025, Burruss announced that she was studying for the LSAT.

Career

Television

Burruss first appeared on The Real Housewives of Atlanta with her mother, Kandi Burruss, during the show’s second season when she was 7 years old. Her storylines on the series included her childhood friendship with Ariana Biermann, which became estranged after their mothers began a feud; her relationship with her father; and her attempt at building a music career.
In 2021, Andy Cohen announced a special on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen called "Real Housekids of Bravo," which featured Burruss with other children of Real Housewives, including Brielle Biermann, Gia Giudice, Brooks Marks, Avery Singer, and Portia Umansky, among others. The special aired on Mother's Day in 2021.
Burruss was invited to BravoCon 2022, where she participated in a "Kandi & the Gang" panel with her family.
In April 2025, Bravo announced that Burruss would be starring in a new reality series Next Gen NYC, which follows young adults navigating life and friendship in New York City. The series premiered as the most-watched Bravo episode of all time. Burruss’s involvement and cameos by her family were major highlights during the promotion of the show. Burruss was cast along with her former childhood best friend Ariana Biermann, which became a central storyline in the first season as the pair made plans to end the feud between their mothers. Burrus was additionally lauded for calling out racial microaggressions from her costars on the series. Burruss frequently featured her mother on the show as she asked for advice.
Burruss was considered by producers to be a breakout star of the first season. For their involvement in the show, Burruss and Biermann were named among Us Weekly’s Top Reality Stars of the Year for 2025. In October 2025, the series was renewed for a second season. Although Burruss revealed she initially planned to quit the series ahead of the second season because of her plans to pursue higher education, but she was announced to return with the rest of the cast.
Burruss attended BravoCon 2025, where she participated in a "Thank U, Next Gen" panel with other cast members of Next Gen NYC.

Music

Burruss was inspired to pursue a career in music while growing up seeing her mother’s experiences in the industry. Burruss released her first single, titled “Better Late Than Never,” in February 2017. The song, inspired by her complicated relationship with her father, was featured on The Real Housewives of Atlanta. Burruss indicated she hopes to become involved in developing and supporting the Atlanta music scene.

Personal life

Burruss has a particularly close relationship with her mother, Kandi, and her maternal grandmother, “Mama Joyce” Jones. Burruss has described her mother as strict, revealing that she used to have to sign contracts as a child to earn toys, which Burruss stated is a reason she became interested in the law. Burruss cites both her mother and her grandmother as sources of inspiration for her. Her mother supports Burruss financially, including allowing a $14k per month credit card spend limit, while Burruss becomes fianncially stable after college. Burruss presented her mother's Wifetime Achievement Award at BravoCon 2025.
Burruss has been open about facing body image issues stemming from growing up on television. During her teenage years, Burruss became the target of significant online bullying due to her appearance on Real Housewives of Atlanta, including false pregnancy rumors After the negative comments made by fans about her body, Burruss lost over 50 pounds.