'GET RID OF THAT': KANDI BURRUSS SAYS HER POST-DIVORCE IDENTITY KEEPS ALL HER KIDS CONNECTED, BUT CRITICS PUNCH A HOLE IN HER EXPLANATION. (PHOTO)

 'Get rid of that': Kandi Burruss says her post-divorce identity keeps all her kids connected, but critics punch a hole in her explanation

Kandi Burruss-Tucker explained that she intends to keep her hyphenated surname following her split from Todd Tucker, emphasizing that the choice is about maintaining a visible connection to her children. 

With her son Ace and daughter Blaze carrying the Tucker name, and her eldest daughter Riley using Burruss, she said it was important for all of them to feel their mother is tied to them through her name. 

While she continues to use “Kandi Burruss” professionally, she noted that in personal settings like school events she’s comfortable being addressed as Tucker.

Her comments sparked debate online, with some fans supporting her reasoning while others criticized the decision. 

Detractors argued that a name doesn’t define the bond between a parent and child, suggesting that presence and care matter more than shared surnames. 

Others questioned whether keeping Tucker’s name was appropriate after divorce, pointing to her blended family and Riley’s different surname. 

The discussion highlighted how names can carry symbolic weight beyond tradition, especially in public families.

The divorce itself has drawn significant attention, given Burruss and Tucker’s long relationship that began on The Real Housewives of Atlanta set in 2011. 

Married in 2014, they built a blended household and shared business ventures before Burruss filed for divorce in late 2025. 

The settlement finalized in March 2026 included a lump sum payment to Tucker but no ongoing support, with joint custody agreed upon. 

Burruss has since embraced a fresh look and announced her one-woman show, Kandi: I Do, I Did, I’m Done, framing her name choice as part of redefining family identity while moving forward creatively and personally.