Riley Burruss: Writing Her Story in Real Time

Photographer: Andrew Zaeh

Cinematographer: Jack Mallet

Fashion Stylist: Courtney Cook

Fashion Editor: Chris Sandford

Make-Up: Desiree Easton

Hair: William Edmonds

At just twenty-three years old, Riley Burruss already knows what it means to have the world watching her. The daughter of Grammy-winning singer and Real Housewives of Atlanta star Kandi Burruss spent much of her childhood framed by Bravo’s cameras; her milestones and missteps broadcast to millions. Now, stepping into adulthood, she’s building a life in New York City, exploring herself, carving out space beyond her upbringing, and even letting audiences back in as part of Bravo’s new reality series Next Gen NYC.

Dress & Belt: Laruicci

Bracelets & Rings: Nuda Jewlery

“The biggest challenge growing up on camera was going through maturity and growth while everyone’s eyes are on you,” she tells Bleu. “Of course, with everyone having access to your life, people point out things about yourself you didn’t even notice. That can be hard, but at the same time, it builds so much strength.”

It’s a paradox Riley carries with striking honesty: the experience shaped her both in confidence and in insecurity. For every privilege that came with her mother’s success, there was also the weight of comparison and judgment. “People think it’s all luxurious, but it can be extremely intimidating,” she admits.

As Riley comes into her own, the question of identity looms larger than ever: Who is Riley Burruss as an individual, beyond being the daughter of Kandi? “Having a powerhouse like my mom, there’s always going to be that attachment. I’m really grateful for her and all the work she’s put in, but I'm ready to show my personality more,” she says. “People have had misconceptions about me and how I was growing up, so now I’m able to step out into the world and really show them who I am.”

Earrings: Pdpaola

Necklace: Alexis Bittar

Bracelet & Rings: Nuda Jewlery

Jacket: Helmut Lang

Skirt: Romeo Hunt

Growing up in front of cameras meant the world decided who she was before she could even speak, but now, with a newfound appreciation for her roots, Riley is ready to claim her own voice.

Stepping out of the shadow of her childhood, she admits there’s something magnetic about her new home. “Being in your 20s, NYC is the spot to live in,” she says. Out here on her own, she’s determined to prove herself, not through her last name, but through her own choices.

Shirt: Romeo Hunt

Tie: Honor Coco

Boots: Rick Owens

Rings & Necklace: Nuda Jewlery

Coat: Catou Wear

Jeans: Honor Coco

“I’m really trying to pivot and grow on my own. This is a brand new chapter,” Riley explains. That chapter, she admits, is still being written. With a degree in music business from NYU, she isn’t rushing to fit her life into a tidy blueprint. Right now, she’s less concerned with locking in a career path and more focused on allowing herself room to evolve. “I just want to take this moment in my life to lean into the show, but also grow my education and my work,” she says.

The possibilities remain wide open. Law school, long encouraged by her mother, is one option Riley doesn’t dismiss. “Yes, of course. That’s been something I really tried to grow towards throughout my life, so that will always be one of my passions as well,” she shares. Entertainment law, in particular, excites her—a space where she could merge her love for music with a meaningful career in advocacy.

Sunglasses :Elisa Johnson

Shirt: Margelia

Jeans: Good American

Rings: Nuda Jewlery

Shoes: Marni

When Riley joined the cast of Bravo’s newest experiment, Next Gen NYC, she did so with cautious optimism. “Throughout my life, I’ve wanted to do law and business, so at first, thinking about the show, I was a bit hesitant,” she tells Bleu. “Of course, growing up on TV has shifted my perspective on it, so I wasn’t sure at first, but now, I’m really happy with my decision. I’ve made some really great friends, and I’m so appreciative of the opportunity.”

Dress & Belt: Laruicci

Bracelets & Rings: Nuda Jewlery

Riley and Brooks Marks were the first two to sign onto the show, but it was the addition of Ariana Biermann that gave Riley an anchor in an otherwise unfamiliar space. Both young women hail from Atlanta, and Riley found comfort in their shared background as they navigated New York City together. “I miss the South, so I’m happy Ariana brought that southerness that I really miss here,” Riley shares. Their connection has since grown into one of the most meaningful friendships she’s made on the show. “There’s this bond you grow when going through this process,” she adds.

That solidarity mattered even more when the show took a heavier turn. For Riley, one of the most challenging moments came when she faced racial microaggressions from fellow cast members. These painful, subtle comments, damaging labels, and dismissive remarks left her grappling with both her emotions and how to respond effectively. “Reliving it was pretty difficult,” she admits. “Of course, we filmed last summer, so rewatching it and feeling how emotional that situation made me all over again brought back a lot of feelings.”

Necklace: Alexis Bittar

Dress: Laruicci

Rings: Nuda Jewlery

These microaggressions were more than uncomfortable exchanges; they reflected the everyday biases that Black women encounter in society, often minimized or ignored. As painful as it was, Riley is proud that the moment sparked a broader conversation. “I think, of course, it was really difficult having to show my emotions in that way. Nobody ever wants to be so vulnerable publicly, but I’m very glad that we were able to have that conversation and bring awareness to it on this platform,” she tells Bleu. “I was proud to be able to show people how common this is for Black women around the world to experience.”

Shirt: Romeo Hunt

Tie: Honor Coco

Boots: Rick Owens

Yet while those moments of prejudice weighed heavily, Riley has also been carving out spaces of joy and self-discovery. Fashion has become one outlet, as she’s grown more confident experimenting with her style. “I’ve been trying to grow my closet and figure out what my style really is, but these past few months I’ve really enjoyed being able to try new styles and outfits and getting out of my comfort zone,” she shares.

Rings & Necklace: Nuda Jewlery

Coat: Catou Wear

Jeans: Honor Coco

Shoes: Simone Rocha

That same spirit carries into embracing her natural hair, a journey that’s become empowering since cutting it nearly all off during the pandemic. “Everyone has their own opinion on wearing your natural hair,” she explains. “I’ve been trying to really play with it and discover what styles I like the most. I’ve just been diving into it and seeing what works for me.”

Outside of the show, the reality star has had to navigate another arena where criticism often hits harder: the internet. Hate comments are something Riley has faced for years, but now she approaches them with resilience. “Growing up, I’m so used to having different opinions and perspectives. I dealt with it so much that now I just let it roll off my shoulders, brush it off, and move on.”

That mindset is matched by a more profound conviction in her own worth. “I’m growing up and living life. I can’t let other people dictate how I should feel about myself,” she shares with Bleu. In those moments when doubt creeps in, Riley turns to the one person who has always given her the unvarnished truth: her mother. “I always go to my mom for advice. She knows so much and has gone through so much. I’m really appreciative that she has my back and she’ll always keep it real and honest with me.”

Necklace: Alexis Bittar

Dress: Laruicci

Rings: Nuda Jewlery

Boots: Rick Owens

For Riley Burruss, the beauty of this moment lies in its openness. She’s fully invested in Next Gen NYC and the community she’s built there, but she isn’t closing herself off to other paths. Whether it’s continuing her education, exploring entertainment law, or discovering new passions, Riley approaches the future with curiosity rather than certainty. “Going back into reality TV was a big pivot for me,” she says. “Right now, I’m just trying to grow.”

Her growth is happening both in front of the cameras and away from them. While she once imagined a future as a DJ, she now enjoys this as a personal outlet rather than a career pursuit. “I’ve been a music lover my whole life. I enjoy matching up different sounds and beats, but that’s more of a hobby for me now,” she admits. Music, however, still forms the soundtrack to her journey. If she had to score her life today, Riley would choose Victoria Monét’s “How Does It Make You Feel,” Beyoncé’s “Energy,” and “Anybody” by Nicki Minaj and Young Thug—a mix that speaks to her self-reflection, ambition, and boldness.

That growth extends into her personal life as well. Quietly, away from the spotlight, Riley has found happiness in a coupling she treasures deeply. “This relationship is really special and close to my heart,” she shares of the Atlanta native she met through her sister. “He’s in his own world, I’m in mine, and we just like to come together,” she tells Bleu, choosing to keep that part of her life sacred, away from public scrutiny.

If the gaze of others defined her childhood, her adulthood is becoming defined by intention: what she chooses to share, what she chooses to protect, and how she chooses to grow. Social media offers glimpses into her world, but it’s her work, her relationships, and her evolving sense of self that tell the fuller story.

For now, she isn’t rushing to write the ending; she’s savoring the chapters as they come. And as Riley Burruss continues to grow, learn, and pivot, one thing is clear: the story unfolding is finally, entirely, her own.