The animosity between Real Housewives of Atlanta stars Kandi Burruss and Phaedra Parks only seems to be getting stronger as the two former friends continue their ongoing feud. But what caused the once wonderful friendship to turn sour? Well, it all comes down to Apollo, money, and cheap shots.
Picking Sides: Apollo’s Motorcycles Cause A Rift
It seems much of the drama between Phaedra and Kandi stems from the belief that Kandi wasn’t very supportive during Phaedra’s divorce, storing ex-husband Apollo Nida’s motorcycles at her house and criticizing her friend for not taking her kids to see Apollo in prison.
During season eight, the two discuss what Phaedra felt was a lack of support. “Let me tell you what really tripped me out, when a stranger came up to me in the grocery store and said, ‘I want to buy some of Apollo’s stuff that is sitting up in Kandi’s property.’ When I’m like, ‘Huh! What do you mean?'” she said. Phaedra admitted it hurt to find out that her close friend was holding onto her ex-husband’s things, but Kandi argued that storing a few motorcycles was no reason for a bad attitude.
Phaedra went on to call out Kandi for questioning why she hasn’t taken her sons to see Apollo in prison, but it seems the discussion went nowhere.
Workout Money: Todd Tucker And Phaedra’s Workout DVD
Money for Phaedra’s workout DVD is another point of contention for the two. Kandi’s hubby Todd Tucker produced the video, but payment became an issue when he only received two-thirds of the $25,000 he was owed. Phaedra told Todd he’d receive the rest of the money when she received the DVD. Eventually, things worked out, but money issues still put a damper on Kandi and Phaedra’s relationship.
Feds Come A-Knockin’: The Government Pays Kandi A Visit To Seize Apollo’s Ducati
Just a few days after Kandi admitted on camera that she was holding Apollo’s motorcycles, the Feds appeared to pick up his Ducati. TMZ reported that the FBI was searching for the motorcycles and Kandi’s admission was just what they needed. Initially, many of the housewives believed Phaedra may have tipped them off, but she maintains she had nothing to do with it.
All About The Babies: Phaedra And Kandi Can’t Seem To Agree On Phaedra’s Sons’ Relationship With Apollo
Kandi believes that Dylan and Ayden should have a better relationship with Apollo, but Phaedra doesn’t want her kids to see their father locked up. Of course, drama ensued. “Even though it’s up to her what she does, whhen I did see the kids come from their visit, I felt like it was sad that Dylan doesn’t even know his dad,” Kandi said during the season eight reunion.
Phaedra went on to share her side of things, adding, “Apollo made the decisions he made and if you choose to go out and do something that takes you away from your children, you have to realize that you made a choice.”
Don’t Talk About My Mama: Phaedra Fires Shots At Mama Joyce And Kandi Isn’t Having It
Following the bomb scare at Phaedra’s office, Mama Joyce was a bit worried about the Atlanta attorney and interested in finding out what was going on. But soon, Mama Joyce was firing shots at Phaedra too, which led the attorney to make a few comments of her own. “Well you know I think Mama Joyce is obsessed with me, because when you’re destined for greatness, people will be obsessed with your spirit and your aura,” Phaedra told The Daily Dish. “So she’s attracted to me, like most people, her attraction just went into the level of obsession. My life is full enough that I don’t have to bother with worrying about others because I’m doing things that interest me — and she doesn’t actually interest me.”
Obviously, Kandi was not here for those comments. She told Atlanta’s 94.5, “You talkin’ about her blog? Cause she ain’t talk to my mama crazy to her face. She talks about everybody in her interviews or she makes sly remarks at the reunion, maybe, but she never really says it in their face. Y’all never noticed that?”
A Rocky Marriage And Rumored Affair: Did Phaedra Cheat On Apollo?
Kandi and Phaedra’s feud escalated when Kandi accused Phaedra of cheating on Apollo before he even went to jail. During season nine’s seventh episode, the ladies decide to meet up for lunch and hash thing out, but their little lunch isn’t so smooth.
After Phaedra shares that it’s a struggle raising kids while going through a divorce with a man who’s currently serving time, Kandi admits that she understands her struggle, but isn’t here for Phaedra’s complaints about her marriage. “We both know that you were counting down the days ’til he went away, anyway. He relieved you because really he was giving you drama at the time and you were ready for him to go,” she said. Despite her feelings about Apollo at the time, Phaedra added that she still went through a ton of emotions when he left.
Well, that opened a whole can of worms. “Let’s stop because I don’t even want to say anything crazy to you,” Kandi replied. “I’m making it light because you made it light to me. You were already talking to other people before your husband even went to jail. When we would talk, you were already planning to marry somebody else by the new year. So, it really was a stress off your back at the time.” WELP!
It’s quite clear that Kandi and Phaedra’s relationship is pretty much beyond repair. We have no idea what the rest of the season holds, but we know for sure the season nine reunion is definitely going to be messy if Phaedra and Kandi are still butting heads.
Tangled Web of Lies: Phaedra Accuses Kandi of A Planning To Drug And Rape Porsha
Things finally erupted between Phaedra and Kandi during the Real Housewives of Atlanta season nine four-part reunion.
The finale picked up right where part three left off, Porsha revealing that Phaedra was the one who told her that Kandi tried to drug her. The revelation quickly halts production as Kandi, understandably shocked, hurt, and upset, leaves the stage. Even host Andy Cohen is left shaken by the news.
Once the ladies return to their seats, it’s time for Phaedra to tell the truth. However, the attorney is tight-lipped and meek, telling Kandi and Porsha that she shouldn’t have repeated the rumor, despite the fact that she told Porsha she heard Kandi say it herself.
And as the women shout and question why Phaedra would start such a rumor, all the attorney can do is mumble under her breath, “So now I’m the dang-gone villain.” Um, yes, Phaedra, you are!
Porsha apologizes to Kandi and Phaedra eventually does so as well, although, her apology isn’t as sincere.
The possibility of Kandi and Phaedra ever being friends again is out of the window, irreparable damage has been done and it seems the Real Housewives of Atlanta will never be the same.
Real Housewives of Atlanta airs Sundays at 8 p.m. EST on Bravo.
