WATCH: Bravo Star Kandi Burruss Talks LGBTQ+ Support, Being Sexually Fluid, And Friendship With Queer Artist Victor Jackson
Since 2009, Kandi Burruss has opened up her life to millions of viewers across the country on the hit Bravo reality show The Real Housewives of Atlanta. But long before she became a crossover success, the Grammy award-winning producer was already a household name among Black audiences as a member of 90s R&B group Xscape. Over the last decade, Burruss has displayed her unwavering public support of the LGBTQ+ community on camera and off, endearing her to legions of Black LGBTQ+ fans—one of whom started as an admirer and has become a frequent collaborator and friend—queer recording artist and choreographer Victor Jackson.
Both Atlanta natives and graduates of Tri-Cities High School of Visual and Performing Arts, Jackson recalls meeting Burruss, whom he jokingly revered as the “patron saint of Tri-Cities,” for the first time.
“We met randomly at her best friend's birthday dinner party. I was a plus one to Derek J, a mutual friend of Kandi and ours. And the rest is kind of history,” he says.
It was at this birthday party that Burruss would see Jackson dance for the first time, and by the time he sat back down, she had extended an invitation for him to become her choreographer, which led to guest appearances on The Real Housewives of Atlanta and the beginning of a beautiful friendship.
“My uncle Ralph, who is second to the youngest, was out and proud. And so before I was even born, my family… on my mother’s side anyway, was very welcoming. And to me, that was normalized in my family.”
The Bedroom Kandi creator tells The Reckoning that her embrace of LGBTQ+ people began years before she ever entered Tri-Cities or met Jackson.
“My uncle Ralph, who is second to the youngest, was out and proud,” she says. “And so before I was even born, my family… on my mother's side anyway, was very welcoming. And to me, that was normalized in my family.”
With Burruss’s familial experience countering the narrative of homophobia being more pervasive in Black communities, her public support and transparency about her sexual fluidity has made an impression on millions of Black viewers who otherwise may not receive positive messaging about Black LGBTQ+ people.
“I think since I came on the show from the very beginning, I've always been very open. I don't mind stepping on toes or making people feel uncomfortable at times if that's what needs to happen. And for me, it's not necessarily an intentional thing,” Burruss says.
“On whatever season that was, it became this whole big conversation about me having sex with a woman. However you want to label me or anybody around me, I don't really care. I don't really care about the whole label situation.”
‘I Got Your Back’
Burruss, who married Todd Tucker in 2014, is the mother of three children (Riley, Ace, Blaze) and a bonus daughter, Kayla, from Tucker’s previous relationship, is open about being sexually fluid. She tells The Reckoning that Generation Z doesn’t care about sexual fluidity.
“The new, younger generation. They don't care anything about people being fluid. They don't care about that. My daughter [Riley] didn't care that I was fluid. That didn't matter to her,” she says.
By being transparent about not just being an LGBTQ+ ally as she is often labeled, but a member of the LGBTQ+ community, Burruss is aware that she’s giving others permission to live in their truth.
“I've actually had people come and say that to me before,” she says. “That's something that makes me happy because I feel like when you can't live in your truth, when you can't feel comfortable to be yourself, and you're hiding who you are, or you're holding it in because you are afraid of what other people think, to me, you're preventing yourself to be totally happy in life.”
For Jackson, who is currently in the middle of a performance residency for his latest EP Man, Muse, Magic, Burruss, is one of the women he credits for pushing his personal and professional trajectory forward.
“I’m really grateful that even through my journey as a choreographer, a creative director, and as a recording artist, Kandi has been there to be like, oh, that’s dope or to be like, that’s wack. It hasn’t been like this constant coddling. It’s been a constant companionship, and it’s been like, I got your back.”
“I wouldn't be alive without Black women, and that is just a literal and figurative truth in my life,” he says.
“I’m really grateful that even through my journey as a choreographer, a creative director, and as a recording artist, Kandi has been there to be like, oh, that's dope or to be like, that's wack. It hasn't been like this constant coddling. It’s been a constant companionship, and it's been like, I got your back. I've always known beyond any shadow of a doubt that Kandi has my back and that other Black women in my life have my back.”
And without missing a beat, Burruss quips back— ”Well, just for the record, I know you’ve got my back too, Victor.”
To watch the full conversation between Burruss and Jackson as they open up about their friendship and professional pursuits, including Burruss’ new role as producer of the new Broadway play “Thoughts of A Colored Man”, adapting to LGBTQ+ terminology, advocating for people living with HIV, and the changing musical landscape inclusive of gay artists, watch below or click here.
Editor’s Note: CNP is an official sponsor of Victor Jackson’s “Man. Muse. Magic. neat.” For more information on tickets for upcoming performances, please visit mrglamrocksoul.com.
(Cover photo of Kandi & Victor by MorrisDe)
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