Season 16 of The Real Housewives of Atlanta will be a totally different vibe. Without Kandi Burruss in the mix, many fans are wondering how the series will survive without its marquee player. But the 2x Grammy winner hasn’t thought a bit about RHOA. In fact, she was more than excited to spread her wings and fly.

Kandi isn’t looking back on her decision to leave RHOA…

During her time on Andy Cohen’s Sirius XM radio show, Andy Cohen Live, the longtime peach holder said choosing to leave the Real Housewives franchise has given her a feeling unlike any other. “I feel totally free, actually,” she said.

Although Kandi is leaving, there will be a few familiar faces in Season 16 — specifically Porsha Williams, who exited after Season 13. “I mean, you know, I already knew that Porsha was, you know, thinking about coming back when I was thinking about leaving because we both talked to each other about it,” Kandi said. However, “Cynthia [Bailey] told me that I’m not gonna feel it until the show is on air.”

“She said right now, I’m living my best life. Right? So, she’s like, ‘I’m not really gonna care,’ but she says when the show starts airing, I’m gonna feel like, ‘Oh man, I’m not there with them.’”

Cynthia departed the series in 2021 after an epic run full of shade, nasty reads, and themed Bailey events.

Who else is returning for Season 16?

Aside from Porsha, the network has also revealed that Kenya Moore would return for Atlanta’s Sweet 16. Shereé Whitfield has been rumored to return, but no official statements have been released.

Marlo Hampton confirmed her departure, saying she was looking forward to spending the next chapter of her life focusing on raising her nephews. Sanya Richards Ross, who held a peach for two seasons, also shared the news she wouldn’t return. “I always knew when I started Housewives that it would probably be for a short time because I do so many things, and I say yes to life, and it was a wonderful opportunity. I really enjoyed it,” she said.

News of Drew Sidora’s fate has also been kept sealed. However, she provided much drama to the last few season’s biggest storylines, so getting rid of her seems like the wrong move. But, of course, we won’t know until we know.

Stream previous seasons of The Real Housewives of Atlanta on Peacock.