Growing up in front of a camera lens isn't exactly a choice for most kids of reality TV royalty. For Riley Burruss, that lens has been focused on her since she was seven years old. We saw the shy little girl in pigtails on The Real Housewives of Atlanta, often serving as the quiet voice of reason while the adults around her descended into chaos.
But things have changed. A lot.
Honestly, if you haven’t checked in on Riley lately, you’re looking at a completely different person. She’s not just "Kandi Burruss' daughter" anymore. She’s an NYU graduate, a reality lead in her own right, and a young woman who has navigated some pretty heavy public scrutiny regarding everything from her weight to her relationship with her father.
The Next Gen NYC Era
Riley is currently starring in Bravo’s Next Gen NYC, a spinoff that follows the grown-up children of the network's most famous housewives. It’s a huge shift. For years, Riley seemed like she kinda hated being on TV. She was the "reluctant" star. Now? She’s center stage alongside other Bravo kids like Gia Giudice and Ariana Biermann.
Kandi actually admitted to People that she was "scared" about Riley doing the show. Why? Because you can't protect your kids from the edit once they're the ones holding the contract.
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The show isn't just about brunch in Soho, though there is plenty of that. It’s about the "cut-off." In a moment that went viral, Kandi revealed she gave Riley exactly one year after graduation to get her career together before the bank of Mom and Todd officially closes. That’s a lot of pressure when your rent in Manhattan is probably more than most people’s annual salary.
That NYU Milestone (and What’s Next)
In May 2024, Riley graduated from New York University. This was a massive deal for the family because she’s a first-generation college graduate. Think about that for a second. Despite all the Grammys and the business empire Kandi has built, Riley is the first to cross that particular finish line.
- Degree: Bachelor of Music in Music Business.
- The Law Goal: She’s been vocal about wanting to be an attorney.
- Current Status: As of late 2025, she’s been openly studying for the LSAT.
She’s basically trying to merge the two worlds—the creative side she inherited from her mom and the structured, "argue-you-down" side that Kandi says makes her perfect for a courtroom.
The Transformation Nobody Can Stop Talking About
It’s impossible to talk about Riley without mentioning her health journey. It started when she was 15. At the time, she was 5’9” and weighed around 220 pounds. She lost 52 pounds naturally through boxing and strict calorie counting.
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People were mean. Cruel, actually.
The internet trolls didn't hold back because she was a child, which is why Kandi has always been so protective. Riley’s response wasn't to hide; she started a YouTube channel called Riley’s Road to Success to show other teens how to do it without "shortcuts."
There has been constant speculation about plastic surgery or a nose job as she’s gotten older. Riley mostly ignores it. She’s focused on the gym and her career. If you’ve seen her on Next Gen NYC, her confidence is miles away from the quiet kid we knew in Atlanta.
The Russell "Block" Spencer Dynamic
The most heartbreaking part of Riley's story has always been her father. Russell "Block" Spencer was largely absent for her childhood. We watched those awkward, painful phone calls on RHOA where Riley would basically shut down.
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There’s been some movement there, though. By 2025, things seemed a bit more "reconciled," or at least civil. Riley even shared a photo with him on social media that surprised a lot of fans. But the scars are there. She was the one who pushed her mom to go after the back child support, not because they needed the money—Kandi is worth millions—but because Riley felt it was the principle of the thing. She called it "her money" that was owed to her for her upbringing.
What You Can Learn from Riley’s Path
Watching Riley navigate the transition from "reality kid" to "adult professional" offers a few real-world takeaways for anyone trying to build an identity under a shadow:
- Education is the Great Equalizer: Even with a famous name, Riley used NYU to give herself a "Plan A" that doesn't require a camera crew.
- Define Your Own Value: She didn't let the "deadbeat dad" narrative define her worth; she held him accountable and moved on.
- Health is Personal: Her weight loss wasn't about a Hollywood trend; it was a disciplined, multi-year lifestyle shift that she documented to help others.
Practical Next Steps:
If you're following Riley's career, keep an eye on the Bravo Tuesday night lineup for the latest episodes of Next Gen NYC. For those looking to follow her fitness or law school journey, her Instagram (@rileyburruss) is the primary spot where she shares LSAT updates and her "one-year-to-make-it" progress. If you're inspired by her academic path, looking into NYU's Steinhardt music business programs can provide insight into the rigor of the degree she earned.