For Kandi Burruss, family is forever.
The former Real Housewives of Atlanta star became a first-time mother in August 2002 with the birth of her daughter Riley, whom she shares with ex Russell Spencer. In April 2014, Kandi’s family grew when she wed her husband Todd Tucker, becoming a stepmother to his daughter Kaela.
Two years later, Kandi and Todd welcomed their first child together, Ace, in January 2016. Their younger daughter Blaze arrived in November 2019 via a surrogate.
The Xscape singer’s children have followed in their mom’s footsteps.
In 2024, Riley obtained her bachelor’s degree in music from New York University, and she will soon star on Bravo’s Next Gen NYC alongside fellow kids of Real Housewives stars Brooks Marks and Gia Giudice. Meanwhile, Ace is a child actor and host of his own YouTube channel.
Here’s everything to know about Kandi Burruss’ kids: Riley, Ace and Blaze.
Riley Burruss, 23
On Aug. 22, 2002, the “No Scrubs” writer welcomed her first baby, Riley, with her ex Spencer.
Like her mother, Riley is no stranger to the spotlight. During her mother’s 2009 introduction to The Real Housewives of Atlanta, Riley also made her reality TV debut. Nearly a decade later, she released her first track, “Better Late Than Never,” in 2017.
After graduating high school in 2020, she left home to attend New York University (NYU), where she initially studied nutrition before switching majors to music. After school, Riley ultimately wants to “work in the music industry, on the business side.”
“I feel like I’m in my rebranding era, to be honest,” she said on the In The Know web series in October 2022, noting that her mother’s career in the entertainment undoubtedly “played a huge role” in her love for the music industry.
“Just seeing her do everything by herself and just killing it is what inspired me,” Riley added.
When she graduated from NYU in May 2024, she honored the achievement with a heartfelt post on Instagram.
“As a first generation college student, I am so proud of myself for reaching the finish line and staying on track to receive this degree,” Riley penned in part. “I am so grateful for everyone that came to celebrate me and those that have supported me.”
Now, Riley, who splits her time between Atlanta and New York City, will be featured in a reality TV show. Next Gen NYC, which premieres on June 3, 2025, follows a group of friends in their 20s — all raised in the spotlight — as they navigate the trials and tribulations of early adulthood.
Riley will appear alongside Marks, Giudice and Ariana Biermann. The cast also includes Ava Dash (daughter of music mogul Damon Dash), model and influencer Emira D’Spain, it-girl Georgia McCann and crypto trader Charlie Zakkour.
While Kandi departed The Real Housewives of Atlanta after 14 seasons in 2024, she is excited for her daughter to appear on-screen.
“My daughter, Riley, she’s on a show that’s coming up at the top of the year, so she’s going to be doing reality,” Kandi told PEOPLE in October 2024. “So, I’m still there. I’m still part of that family.”
Ace Tucker, 9
Kandi and Todd’s first child together, Ace, was born on Jan. 6, 2016.
During the eighth season of The Real Housewives of Atlanta, the singer shared that she and Todd conceived Ace via in vitro fertilization treatments (IVF).
“My husband and I, we went through the IVF process to get Ace, so of course that was very emotional,” she told PEOPLE in June 2018. “I definitely cried when Ace came out.”
At 9, Ace is already involved in the entertainment industry. He’s the host of his own YouTube channel, Ace Plays And Giveaways, where he has over 20,000 subscribers.
In December 2020, the Reasonable Doubt star announced on Instagram that her son had booked his first acting gig.
“I’m so proud of my Acey Pooh! He got his first role in a movie & they had their first table read today,” Kandi wrote. “He’s excited & we’re excited for him! My little superstar.”
The mother-son duo joined forces professionally in April 2023 with their own KFC commercial. In the spot, they promoted the fast food chain’s chicken nuggets while looking back on one of Kandi’s Real Housewives of Atlanta scenes.
Blaze Tucker, 5
Kandi’s third child, Blaze, arrived via surrogate on Nov. 22, 2019.
After undergoing a high-risk pregnancy with Ace, The Masked Singer winner opened up about her decision to welcome a baby through surrogacy during season 11 of The Real Housewives of Atlanta.
The married couple settled on using a surrogate after Kandi’s OB-GYN, Married to Medicine’s Dr. Jackie Walters, introduced them to a woman named Shadina Blunt, who eventually carried Blaze.
While thankful to have another child, she shared on The Real Housewives of Atlanta that their “whole situation” felt “strange” at times.
