Kelly Rowland Recalls Writing Destiny’s Child Songs With Kandi Burruss

During an appearance on Andy Cohen’s “Radio Andy” show, Rowland reflected on what it was like working with Kandi Burruss on some of the girl group’s chart-topping hits.

While promoting her opening slot on Brandy and Monica’s “The Boy Is Mine” reunion tour, Rowland spoke with Cohen, who also happened to be Burruss’ boss for 15 years on the Bravo network, about what it was like working with the reality star during the ’90s and early 2000s as part of Destiny’s Child.

For those unaware, Burruss helped pen some of DC’s biggest songs, like “Bills, Bills, Bills,” which reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and also earned two Grammy nominations.

Clearly, Rowland looks back on those moments with fondness, telling Cohen that she remembers “everything” about their unique sessions, from the smell of the studio to hearing Burruss pitch a new song idea for the first time.

Rowland noted that Burruss’ talent was so extraordinary that she’d often come into the studio, sing a melody, and the women would collaborate to finish the track.

According to Rowland, Burruss was like a “big sister” in the studio for herself and her bandmates, including Beyoncé. “[She] was one we could really bounce off of in a really beautiful way,” she added.

The love Rowland expressed for Burruss didn’t stop there. She even admitted she used to get frustrated with past episodes of “RHOA” when Burruss was at the center of the drama.

“I had a couple of moments when I got really mad at other people on the show, because, like, don’t mess with Kandi,” Rowland joked. “That was my thing—don’t mess with Kandi.”

Burruss has also spoken openly about her experience working with Destiny’s Child, including the time one of their most recognizable songs was almost scrapped.

Bravo’s The Daily Dish reported that the iconic girl group’s single, “Bug A Boo,” was almost pulled because some of the group members—especially Beyoncé—weren’t convinced it would do well.

“When we first played the track ‘Bug A Boo’ to Destiny’s Child, I remember, they were kinda looking like, ‘Eh, I don’t know about this,” Burruss said. “If you can remember what the track is like, it was like really fast. At the time people weren’t really singing over those types of tracks. You’d look at it as something they’d rap over.”

At one point during the session, Burruss overheard Beyoncé telling her group members to be honest about their feelings toward the song. However, before they could express their true feelings, Burruss jumped in to save the day, singing a demo for the ladies that they eventually loved.

“They were like, ‘OK.’ At the time I think I only had like a verse and the hook kinda together. It wasn’t all the way together. It was just like a little bit of where I thought it could go. And they were like, ‘OK.’ And then we finished it together,” she said.

Burruss concluded, “So, it’s funny because had I not spoken up and said, ‘Hey,’ then that song would never exist.”

When she’s not in the studio recording her own music or penning songs for some of the world’s biggest artists, including Ed Sheeran, Burruss is filming reality TV projects with her “RHOA” co-stars and her family members, including her daughter, Riley, her mother, Joyce, and her soon-to-be ex-husband, Todd Tucker.

According to an earlier report from The Blast, Burruss announced her split from Tucker in November 2025 with an emotional statement.

“I’m stepping into a new chapter pouring into my work, my family, and my own growth. I’m grateful to everyone who supported us throughout the years, and I ask for privacy, grace, and understanding as we navigate this transition with our family,” she said.