Kandi Burruss is feeling just peachy about The Real Housewives of Atlanta's brand new cast.
In fact, after recently exiting the Bravo series earlier this year after an impressive 14 years on TV, the former Xscape singer is revealing what she really thinks about the newly revamped season 16 cast.
"I'm excited," Kandi exclusively told E! News May 17 at the 90th Annual Drama League Awards celebrating Broadway's latest theater season. "I'm excited for Shamea [Morton Mwangi], who is our friend. I'm glad it's announced so I don't have to keep secrets anymore. I'm gonna be watching because my friends are still on the show." (Watch E! News tonight, May 20, at 11 p.m. for more exclusive celebrity interviews from the Drama League Awards.)
In addition to Shamea being promoted to a full-time castmember, Kandi is also thrilled over alum Porsha Williams' return to the show after taking a two-season break.
"I already knew she was going back before she announced it," the 48-year-old revealed. "We both had talked about our decisions, what we were thinking about doing. I was telling her I didn't know if I was going to go back. She was telling me how she was thinking she might go back. So we knew. I am excited for her."
Rich Polk/Bravo via Getty ImagesJoining Shamea and Porsha for season 16 are newbies Brittany Eady, Kelli Ferrell and Angela Oakley, plus returning RHOA Housewives Kenya Moore, Drew Sidora and alum Cynthia Bailey, who will be a friend-of.
Of course, that means Marlo Hampton, Sanya Richards-Ross and Shereé Whitfield will not be back next year.
Kandi even teased some behind-the-scenes season 16 drama which she recently heard about through the grapevine.
"I'm not necessarily gonna miss that stress," she admitted. "They started filming this week. I was talking to one of them—I can't say who it was—but she was like, 'Girl, it's just a lot.' I was like, 'Yeah, I don't know if I missed that part.' I forgot about that first stress of getting the ball rolling when you're meeting new people."
As for what Kandi will miss about being part of the cast?
"You don't necessarily miss the stress or the work, but you miss the camaraderie part," she added, "and knowing that you are part of something great. Because at the end of the day, no matter how much drama it was, my 14 seasons on that franchise a lot of great things came from it."
Hear more from Kandi tonight on E! News at 11 p.m. And keep reading to see where she lands on E!'s official ranking of every Real Housewife ever.
Adam Olszweski/Bravo152-155. The Real Housewives of D.C.
Bravo's ill-fated attempt at highlighting our nation's capital brought together four women so forgettable you'd be forgiven for erasing them from your memory—though their names are Mary Amons, Lynda Erkiletian, Cat Ommanney and Stacie Scott Turner—and one so desperate for fame that she gate-crashed a party at the White House. More on her later.
Chris McPherson/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank151. Kimberly Bryant, The Real Housewives of Orange County
Who?
Matthias Clamer/NBCU Photo Bank150. Tammy Knickerbocker, The Real Housewives of Orange County
Vaguely familiar, but...
Virginia Sherwood/Bravo/NBCU Photo Bank149. DeShawn Snow, The Real Housewives of Atlanta
Once upon a time, DeShawn starred on the same TV show as NeNe Leakes. Surprising, we know.
Yavir Ramawtar/Bravo148. Elizabeth Lyn Vargas, The Real Housewives of Orange County
This one-season Housewife brought nothing to the Orange County table.
147. Jennie Nguyen, The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City
Utah's newest season two Housewife went out with a bang (and not in a good way). In January 2022, Jennie was fired after "offensive" and racially insensitive old Facebook posts resurfaced online. Jennie later apologized but the damage was done.
Kelsey McNeal/Bravo/NBCU Photo Bank146. Quinn Fry, The Real Housewives of Orange County
Her defining trait was "cougar."
Tommy Garcia/Bravo145. Jen Armstrong, The Real Housewives of Orange County
The Orange County doctor was never a source of drama during season 16 and her brief marriage troubles with eternally shirtless husband Ryne (or Ryan?) were less than riveting. However, we will never forget Dr. Jen getting absolutely wasted on wine during the Dubrows' insanely awkward—yet wildly entertaining—dinner party.
Bravo144: Annemarie Wiley, The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills
The nurse anesthetist's flop first season can be summed up in one cringe-worthy word we hope we never hear again: Esophagus-gate.
Tommy Garcia/Bravo/NBCU Photo Bank143. Katie Rost, The Real Housewives of Potomac
Katie loved to talk about her charity work, but...didn't do much else on screen. She was one and done, only to come back and not contribute much as a friend. Leaving the cast trip early? A Housewives no-no.
Tommy Garcia/Bravo/NBCU Photo Bank142. Charrisse Jackson Jordan, The Real Housewives of Potomac
Her marriage problems were on full display the two seasons she was a full-time Housewife...that and her champagne room are the two memorable things about Charrisse.
Alex Martinez/Bravo/NBCU Photo Bank
