Baby, This is Keke Palmer – Essence Fest Live with Kandi Burruss: Real Talk and Real Housewives

Podcast: Baby, This is Keke Palmer
Host: Keke Palmer
Guest: Kandi Burruss
Date: August 26, 2025
Location: Essence Fest, Live Recording

Episode Overview

Keke Palmer hosts a dynamic live episode from Essence Fest, sitting down with multi-hyphenate star Kandi Burruss to discuss her expansive career, family life, the realities of being in the public eye, business ventures, and, of course, iconic Real Housewives drama. Together, they dive into what it takes to stay relevant, creative, and steady through the highs and lows of fame, creativity, and personal growth.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Essence Fest and Recent Projects

[00:19–02:48]

• Keke welcomes the Essence Fest crowd, celebrating her first time at the festival.
• Announces her upcoming heist movie “The Pickup” (out August 6th), starring Eddie Murphy and Pete Davidson, where for the first time she plays a villain.
• Shares excitement about playing a themed game with Kandi later in the episode.

2. Kandi's Essence Fest Highlights and Mentoring New Talent

[02:59–03:42]

• Kandi discusses recent highlights at Essence Fest, including her girl group Siren's performance:

  “My girl group that I’ve been producing, Siren, they performed, so I was super excited for them…they’re three young women with a dream.” (Kandi, 03:10)

• Previews a tribute show to Quincy Jones involving her original group Xscape and other artists.

3. Longevity, Versatility, and Passion for Many ‘Bags’

[03:54–05:44]

• Keke asks how Kandi decides which professional direction to pursue, admiring her multifaceted career.
• Kandi on creative variety:

  “We don’t mind trying new things…we don’t mind, you know, collaborating with people…it doesn’t matter…if somebody has to always be a list or anything. We just like trying things. We like being creative.” (Kandi, 05:00)

4. Family, Motherhood, and Raising Kids in the Spotlight

[05:44–07:15]

• Keke notes how Kandi involves her family, especially daughter Riley, in her career.
• Kandi’s philosophy:

  “If they are also busy and doing things, then they respect what we do…we want to set your kids up for greatness, right? And then we also have that mom guilt…But when you can bring your kids to work with you and put them to work, then it’s all good.” (Kandi, 06:13)

• They bond over encouraging their children to work early and the challenges of “mom guilt.”

5. Public Perception versus Reality: Misconceptions About Kandi

[07:16–10:58]

• Keke asks what people get wrong about Kandi.
• Kandi reveals her introverted nature:

  “I’m always doing things on social, but I really don’t like to talk a lot…On a normal basis, I’m very laid back and chill. And if I go to somewhere where I don’t really know a lot of people, I always feel weird and awkward.” (Kandi, 10:03)

• Keke relates, saying her own extroversion stems from handling social anxiety.

6. Maintaining Privacy on Reality TV

[12:45–13:59]

• Kandi on lack of privacy as a public figure:

  “Do we really have any privacy? It’s really hard to…I’m kind of like an open book. And you ask me stuff—I just say it. I go home, my mama be like, now, why did you have to say that?” (Kandi, 12:59)

• Prefers being open over having the media “put her on blast.”

7. Mother-Daughter Dynamics: Amazon Live’s ‘Generation Face Off’

[14:15–15:43]

• Kandi discusses her Amazon Live show with her mother Joyce and daughter Riley:

  “It’s three different generations…my mom and Riley can be like oil and water. Sometimes the shade is so serious, it’s funny.” (Kandi, 14:25)

8. Songwriting Success and Musical Legacy

[16:01–19:52]

• Kandi explains royalty checks from Ed Sheeran’s “Shape of You,” which sampled “No Scrubs,” and other songs like Doechii’s work.

  “Ed Sheeran’s ‘Shape of You’…is the most streamed song in history. And that’s a blessing. Cause he sampled ‘No Scrubs,’ so I’m a writer on that song too.” (Kandi, 16:01)

• Reveals that “No Scrubs” was originally written for her and Tiny’s own artist project before TLC recorded it.
• On writing through adversity:

  “We was going through it at the time…our group, Xscape, was falling apart…How am I gonna pay my bills?…‘No Scrubs’ was one of our own songs we did for us.” (Kandi, 17:21 & 18:25)

• Kandi wrote “Bills, Bills, Bills” and recounts contributing to Destiny’s Child with Tina Knowles commemorating her role in Beyoncé’s growth as a producer.

9. Girl Group Advocacy and Spotlight on Siren

[21:06–21:52]

• Kandi champions the return of girl groups and urges listeners to support Siren’s new EP.

10. Decade Plus on Real Housewives of Atlanta—Triumphs, Drama, and Boundaries

[22:00–25:41]

• Kandi’s tenure: 14 seasons straight, the longest unbroken streak on RHOA.

  “At the time I left, I was the longest running housewife of any franchise…It was tough, but I wouldn’t change it.” (Kandi, 22:21 & 22:14)

• On meeting her husband Todd on the show and seeing her daughter grow up on TV.

The Phaedra Parks Conflict

• Kandi firmly stands by her decision not to speak with Phaedra:

  “There’s no reason for us to communicate. We just don’t interact… I do not care to bring it up no more.” (Kandi, 24:46–25:20)

• Refutes online narratives about the controversy’s origins, directly saying “it was not the producer.”

Kenya Moore Support and Friendship

• Kandi backs Kenya after promo decisions, expressing loyalty in friendship:

  “My friend could be wrong…but I can still have a conversation with her separately and not have to drag her publicly…Why she don’t get that chance now?” (Kandi, 26:38–27:36)

11. Broadway Productions and Business Expansion

[28:03–29:53]

• Kandi outlines her Broadway production history:

  “That was my fourth production on Broadway…we broke history. We made history with Othello…especially thankful for Brian Moreland, who is my mentor and my friend. We produced all of our shows together.” (Kandi, 28:17 & 28:46)

• Emphasizes the difficulty for people of color in Broadway and her mission to “make space for more of us.”

12. Film and Television Ventures

[30:05–31:09]

• Candid chat about her and Todd’s film productions, including “The Pass” (now on Tubi), and an upcoming project, “Don’t Bring Your Man to Atlanta” starring Shamea.

13. Entrepreneurial Endeavors

[31:07–31:14]

• Promotes Candy Coated Cosmetics and other Amazon products.
• Keke enthusiastically supports Kandi’s growing empire.

14. Interactive Game: ‘Pick Up or Put Down’

[32:01–34:44]

• Keke and Kandi play a live game with the audience, rating pick-up lines as a fun, lighthearted segment.
• Audience reacts to their delivery—with Kandi’s sultry delivery drawing laughs and cheers.

  “You know I’m sexy. So I’d be like, oh, you talking about me?” (Kandi, 32:50)

• Keke jokes: “My game is goofy. I laugh them out their draws.” (Keke, 33:51)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Creative Multiplicity:

  “I don’t want to stay in one lane…as long as I can do both, I’m gonna do both.” – Kandi (05:00)

• On Public Perception and Small Talk:

  “I really don’t like to talk a lot…you can talk to me because I’m cool, but I ain’t that friendly.” – Kandi (10:03)

• On Family and Reality TV:

  “To have that history on film…my family, we can always go back and see it.” – Kandi (24:10)

• On Boundaries and Old Drama:

  “There’s no reason for us to communicate…If people feel how they feel. I feel how I feel. I ain’t change it, so.” – Kandi (25:20)

Timestamps of Key Segments

• [03:10] – Kandi recounts Siren’s Essence debut
• [05:00] – Views on career reinvention & creative variety
• [06:13] – Discussing kids in the business, setting up for greatness
• [10:03] – Kandi addresses misconceptions, her laid-back nature
• [12:59] – Privacy and authenticity in public life
• [14:25] – Amazon Live’s Generation Face Off generational banter
• [16:01] – Songwriting royalties, Ed Sheeran sample
• [18:25] – “No Scrubs” origins during Xscape’s breakup
• [22:14] – Kandi’s 14-season Real Housewives run
• [24:46] – On never reconciling with Phaedra Parks
• [26:38] – On supporting Kenya Moore
• [28:17] – Broadway productions and breaking barriers
• [30:05] – New films coming soon
• [32:01] – ‘Pick Up or Put Down’ game fun

Episode Tone

The episode is upbeat, candid, and full of mutual admiration and laughter. Keke’s energy is infectious, blending goofiness and genuine curiosity with Kandi’s warmth, charm, and straightforward wisdom. Both women approach tough topics with humor and honesty, making complex themes feel accessible and relatable.

Summary Takeaways

This Essence Fest live episode brings together two powerhouse Black women discussing longevity, legacy, and loyalty. Kandi shares concrete advice on career versatility, the realities of raising public children, and lessons learned from decades in music, television, and business. Candid reflections on reality TV’s highs (encountering life’s milestones on camera) and lows (enduring conflict and misconstrued narratives) create an inspiring—and often hilarious—blueprint for succeeding in entertainment while staying true to oneself.