Kandi Burruss may be a proud mom, but she’s not easily impressed when it comes to her daughter’s dating life. The “Real Housewives of Atlanta” star recently admitted that Riley Burruss’ new boyfriend surprised her in the best way possible — because she genuinely likes him.
The reality star and Grammy-winning musician opened up about Riley’s mystery man during a recent appearance on “Sherri,” alongside her daughter, who stars on “Next Gen NYC.”
Kandi Burruss Approves of Riley’s Boyfriend: ‘I Actually Like This One’
Speaking to host Sherri Shepherd, Kandi revealed just how different Riley’s current relationship feels from the others. “I like him a lot … I love him because he’s smart, and he’s like really pushing [Riley] to do better,” she said. Kandi explained that the young man has a positive influence on her daughter, especially when it comes to encouraging financial responsibility as Riley pursues her goals post-graduation.
“I think that helps when you have good influence around you, somebody who sees great things for you, and he has his own thing going on,” Kandi continued. “He’s educated, he’s doing big things.”
Riley, who graduated from NYU and is currently pursuing her career ambitions while filming “Next Gen NYC,” agreed that her boyfriend stands out from the crowd. “A lot of men nowadays are rough, but he is really amazing,” she said. “He’s a great man. His parents are amazing, and they raised a really amazing young man.”
The family seems fully on board with the romance, with Kandi and Riley laughing that “he’s a part of the family now.”
Riley Burruss Keeps Her Relationship Low-Key — But Fans Have Seen Glimpses
While Riley hasn’t revealed her boyfriend’s name, she soft-launched the relationship in July 2025. The reality star posted a playful photo from Beyoncé’s “Cowboy Carter” tour, showing her mystery man kissing her on the cheek as she rocked a cowgirl hat and denim cutoffs.
She later shared another snapshot of them kissing but strategically kept his face hidden. During a July 15 episode of “Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen,” Riley said they had “known one another for a while” and became official earlier in the year. “I think everyone knows I like to keep my life private,” she explained. “But now, you know.”
Kandi also reiterated her approval during that same interview. “I love him,” she said. “And I think he’s really nice.”
In August, Riley celebrated her 23rd birthday with her boyfriend by her side, posting a few sweet photos on Instagram. Kandi jumped into the comments with heart emojis, while fellow Bravolebs Ariana Biermann and Brooks Marks chimed in with praise.
