When Kandi Burruss told the Bravosphere she wasn’t returning to Real Housewives of Atlanta for Season 16, it left a sour taste in everybody’s mouth.

The news came in early February when Kandi was attending the 66th Annual Grammy Awards. “I decided I’m not coming back this year. It’s been 14 seasons, and they allowed us to sit around for a little too long, but during that time, I had started working on a lot of other things, and I got some nice big projects coming soon, so I’m super excited about those things,” she said.

During an interview on Sherri, the singer/songwriter/Broadway producer/and mega-millionaire said her announcement came out of the blue. “I wasn’t sure how I was going to tell people at the time, right? But it was kind of boiling inside of me. My friend asked me on the red carpet … and [saying it then] was the best way because it was my way.” The Bravo vet said saying it publicly meant she couldn’t change her decision.

Kandi says she has a close friendship with Andy Cohen…

It’s no secret that Bravo loves them some Kandi. She’s had several spinoffs and tons of specials and gets a HUGE bag whenever she signs a contract with them. Of course, her pal Andy Cohen had to give her a call when she decided she wasn’t returning.

She explained that Andy called to tell her he was saddened by her decision to leave. “At first, I was fine until he called,” she said. “Then he started saying all of these things about what he was going to miss and how much he loved our relationship.” Kandi said their conversation made her “teary-eyed.”

“It made me feel, like, ‘Wow.’ I’m glad we have this relationship, and I didn’t leave on a bad note. We still have that relationship.” She said they still support each other, and she feels they have a “friendship.”

“I’m glad it’s that way.”