The Real Housewives of Atlanta’s Kandi Burruss is putting on a brave face following her separation from her husband of 11 years, Todd Tucker, and explaining the reason why.
The Grammy Award-winning musician took to Instagram on Dec. 3, publishing an emotionally charged reel of some of her most prized moments of late. The pics ranged from family moments to rubbing elbows with big-name stars, but the common denominator in each was that they portrayed Kandi living her best life, something she challenged in the caption.
“This is what I look like when I’m going through something,” she wrote. “I show up for my family, I show up for my friends, I show up to handle my business, & I show up with a smile, all while on the inside I’m emotionally broken.”
In the caption, Kandi maintained that every accompanying photo (including a few with Todd) hid her “inner stress and sadness” as those around her remained unaware.
“This is not being fake. This is just how I deal with things,” Kandi explained. “I internalize and deal with it alone. I am the poster child for the saying, ‘Check on your strong friend because you never know what they are going through.’ I normally don’t like to share stuff like this, but I was listening to this old song that I wrote years ago & felt like it perfectly described how I feel.”
To drive the point home, Kandi shared an original ballad from years ago, claiming the tune encouraged her to be so candid. She sang, in part, “I haven’t shed a tear, not even a whimper since December. I haven’t broke my cool or lost my temper, I’m censored.”
Many jumped in the comments to lend their support, including fellow RHOA castmates Drew Sidora, Shamea Morton, and Cynthia Bailey.
Related: Todd Tucker Makes an “Exciting” Career Move Amid Kandi Burruss Divorce (DETAILS)
Why are Kandi Burruss and Todd Tucker divorcing?
Kandi, who shares two kids, Ace Tucker, 9, and Blaze Tucker, 6, with Todd, announced she filed for divorce on Nov. 21, explaining to People that “being the best mother” was her primary focus. Of course, Kandi is also the mother of Next Gen NYC’s Riley Burruss and a stepmom to Todd’s daughter, Kaela Tucker.
Related: Kandi Burruss Sheds New Light on Her Broadway Career Amid Divorce: “Trying to Stay Focused”
“After deep thought and a lot of prayer, I’ve made the decision to move forward with a divorce,” the Wifetime Achievement Award-winner revealed. “This is a difficult and emotional time, but my focus remains on protecting my peace, being the best mother I can be, and co-parenting with love and respect.”
Kandi vowed to enter “a new chapter” with the help of family and work, later admitting that the decision to exit the marriage had “been brewing for a while.” Still, she claimed to have “no regrets” over their 14-year relationship.
Where Kandi Burruss and Todd Tucker stand today
All things aside, the parents remain cordial, showing up on several occasions to continually prioritize the kids, whether they’re celebrating Blaze’s birthday or Todd attending “Daddy Day Care.”
“Let me just say, no matter what Todd and I are going through, we are parents together,” Kandi said last month. “We are co-parenting together. We have beautiful children together. So, we are trying to make this transition as smooth as it can possibly be for our kids.”
Learn how they spent the Thanksgiving holiday as a family.
