When Riley Burruss graduated from New York University in May 2024, she expected her mother, Kandi Burruss, to cut her off. After all, Kandi had issued a clear, public ultimatum: get your life together or lose the financial safety net. But on October 1, 2025, during a candid appearance on Sherri, the syndicated talk show hosted by Sherri Shepherd, Riley revealed the truth — she’s still on the payroll. And the reason? She’s not giving up on school. Not yet.
The Night That Changed Everything
It started with a single night out. In early 2025, during Season 1, Episode 5 of Next Gen NYC, Riley and her friend Ariana Biermann were caught on camera spending more than $14,000 on bottle service at a New York City nightclub. The footage shocked viewers — and especially Kandi Burruss, who watched from her Atlanta home. "It better not be on the card I pay for," she snapped during the episode. "You’ve got too much money to burn. You really need to figure out your finances, honey." That moment became the tipping point. Kandi, 48, a Grammy-winning R&B artist turned entrepreneur who built The Kandi Factory from scratch, had spent decades preaching financial discipline. Her empire includes a line of sex toys, a restaurant in Atlanta, and decades of reality TV stardom — all self-made. She didn’t grow up with privilege. So when her daughter, born Riley Joy Burruss in August 2002 in Atlanta, blew through $14,000 in one night, it wasn’t just reckless — it felt personal.The Ultimatum and the Deadline
After Riley’s graduation, Kandi gave her one year. No more handouts unless she had a concrete plan. "Figure out what you’re doing," she told her. "Or I’m done." Riley didn’t panic. She didn’t disappear. Instead, she doubled down — on school. While most 2024 graduates were job-hunting, Riley was studying for graduate entrance exams. By July 2025, during a live appearance on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen, she confirmed the ultimatum was still active — but she had a loophole. "No, she didn’t cut me off," Riley told host Andy Cohen, 56, executive producer of the Real Housewives franchise. "Because I’m still going to get my Master’s." Kandi, ever the proud (and slightly anxious) mom, chimed in: "Yeah, so y’all pray for my baby that she pass, and gets high scores on her test."Why the Master’s Degree Was the Key
Riley’s plan wasn’t vague. She’s preparing for the LSAT or GMAT — aiming for law or business administration. She won’t name the schools yet, but she’s studying daily. That’s the concrete plan Kandi demanded. And it worked. In a People magazine interview published October 2025, Kandi revealed something even more telling: Riley graduated from NYU without financial help. "She applied and graduated... did everything herself," Kandi said. "Now she’s doing what she said she’d do. She graduated in four years and has her own TV show — and it’s a hit." That’s the real story here. It wasn’t just about money. It was about proving she could stand on her own — and she did. The $14,000 mistake? A wake-up call. The Master’s pursuit? A redemption arc.
Still on the Card — But Not for Long
As of October 8, 2025, Bravo TV’s The Daily Dish confirmed Riley remains financially supported — but only for graduate school expenses. Kandi’s support isn’t unlimited. It’s conditional. "She’s still learning," Kandi admitted on Sherri. "The way her bank account is, right now, she just ran through it." That’s the twist: Riley’s not being coddled. She’s being coached. Kandi isn’t handing her cash for parties or shopping sprees. She’s funding textbooks, exam prep, and tuition — the kind of investment a real entrepreneur makes. Riley’s response? "I know there is value in a dollar." That line, spoken with quiet sincerity on national TV, might be the most powerful moment of her life so far.What’s Next for Riley and Kandi?
Riley’s graduate exams are scheduled for August 2025. If she scores well, she’ll enroll in a Master’s program in 2026. Kandi has made it clear: support continues as long as she’s making progress. No degree? No more checks. But here’s the quiet victory: Riley didn’t fight her mom. She outsmarted her. She used the ultimatum as fuel. She turned a public scandal into a private comeback. Kandi’s legacy isn’t just music or reality TV. It’s the lesson she’s teaching her daughter — not through lectures, but through boundaries. And Riley? She’s learning it better than most adults ever do.Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Kandi Burruss threaten to cut Riley off financially?
Kandi Burruss issued the ultimatum after Riley and her friend spent over $14,000 on bottle service during a night out, as shown on Next Gen NYC. Kandi, who built her fortune through hard work and financial discipline, saw the spending as reckless and inconsistent with the values she instilled. The one-year deadline was meant to force Riley to take responsibility and define a career path after graduating from NYU.
How did Riley Burruss avoid being cut off?
Riley avoided the cutoff by committing to graduate school. She confirmed on Watch What Happens Live that she was preparing for the LSAT or GMAT to pursue a Master’s in law or business administration. Kandi accepted this as the "concrete plan" she demanded — making Riley’s academic progress the condition for continued financial support, specifically for tuition and exam costs.
Is Riley Burruss still receiving money from her mother?
Yes, as of October 2025, Riley is still receiving financial support — but only for her graduate education. Kandi is not funding her lifestyle or discretionary spending. The support is strictly tied to academic progress, including exam prep and future tuition, with the understanding that funding will end if she doesn’t enroll in a Master’s program by 2026.
What does Kandi Burruss’s support say about her parenting style?
Kandi’s approach reflects a blend of tough love and strategic investment. She doesn’t shield her daughter from consequences, but she also doesn’t abandon her. By tying support to measurable goals — graduation, then graduate school — she’s teaching accountability without withdrawing emotional or financial backing. It’s not about punishment; it’s about preparing Riley to build her own empire, just like Kandi did.
How has Riley’s reality TV career impacted her financial situation?
Being on Next Gen NYC gave Riley visibility and income, but it also exposed her spending habits to public scrutiny. The $14,000 incident became a national talking point, pressuring her to justify her choices. Rather than letting the spotlight define her, Riley used it as motivation to prove she could be responsible — turning her reality TV persona into a platform for personal growth.
What’s the significance of Riley graduating from NYU without parental help?
Kandi emphasized in her People interview that Riley completed her undergraduate degree without financial assistance — a major milestone. It proved she could manage responsibilities independently, which gave Kandi confidence that her daughter was ready to handle graduate school without being coddled. That achievement, more than any reality TV moment, convinced Kandi Riley was ready to earn her next chapter.
