On the surface, Candy Burruss and Todd Tucker looked every bit the Atlanta power couple. They built businesses, raised babies, and starred on Bravo’s Real Housewives of Atlanta, projecting a life of success and stability. But beneath the glitz and glamour, warning signs flashed for years—signs that, in hindsight, were impossible to ignore. Now, as rumors swirl and social media hints at a split, the truth behind their marriage is coming into focus. And for those who’ve paid attention, none of this should come as a shock.

Red Flags From the Beginning

The story didn’t start with drama in 2025. It began back in 2011, when Todd Tucker joined the RHOA set as a production manager, quietly working behind the cameras while Candy was already a Grammy-winning songwriter and beloved reality star. Todd wasn’t even looking in Candy’s direction at first; it was castmate Phaedra Parks who played matchmaker, nudging Todd to make a move.

That detail—needing a push to show interest—set the tone for everything that followed. When attraction isn’t natural, when chemistry needs encouragement, the imbalance can quietly shape a relationship’s entire foundation.

During a cast trip to South Africa, Todd and Candy finally bonded, spending time away from the cameras and the noise. But even then, Todd wanted to keep things casual. Candy, always intentional and direct, gave him an ultimatum: build something real or walk away. Todd chose to commit. But was it genuine love, or did he see an opportunity?

A Relationship Built on Compromise

There was a complication: cast and crew weren’t allowed to date. Candy encouraged Todd to quit his job, promising they could build an empire together. Todd resigned, leaving his steady paycheck to step into Candy’s world—a world where she held the cards, the resources, and the power.

Almost immediately, the cracks began to show. As their romance went public, Todd’s ex-girlfriend Mela claimed she’d been left for Candy. According to Mela, Todd described Candy as his “golden ticket” into Atlanta’s celebrity scene, called her a “trick,” and even criticized her music. Whether true or not, the allegations raised questions about Todd’s intentions.

Still, the relationship moved forward. In January 2013, Todd proposed to Candy, presenting a diamond ring in front of family and friends. The media reported that Candy’s daughter Riley gave her blessing, but Candy’s mother, Mama Joyce, revealed Riley’s real feelings: she didn’t like Todd. Children often sense what adults overlook, and Riley’s hesitation was a red flag swept aside in the rush toward the altar.

Mama Joyce was vocal, questioning Todd’s intentions and criticizing the engagement ring. She called him an opportunist, worried he’d eventually take Candy’s money, and even feuded publicly with Todd’s mother, Miss Sharon. The tension between families never fully healed, adding another layer of pain to the already complicated dynamic.

Prenups, Power, and Resentment

As wedding plans ramped up, Candy drafted a prenuptial agreement—an ironclad document that protected everything she’d built. If the marriage ended, Todd would get nothing, not even alimony, and have 30 days to leave her property. Todd hesitated to sign, feeling the prenup was unfair. Mama Joyce doubled down, calling him manipulative and the wrong choice for her daughter.

Eventually, Todd signed. On April 4, 2014, Candy and Todd married in a lavish, televised ceremony. But beneath the surface, the foundation was already crumbling. Just months after the wedding, Todd admitted to Candy he felt disrespected by the prenup. That resentment soon manifested in their intimacy: according to Candy, their sex life halted six months into the marriage.

For many men, intimacy is tied to ego, power, and feeling desired. The prenup, while logical, may have triggered deep insecurities for Todd. He entered a marriage where Candy owned the empire, the home, and the spotlight. Feeling emasculated or disempowered can create emotional distance, and for Todd, withdrawing physically became a way to reclaim control.

Candy, a high-achieving, logical woman, felt the emotional distance deeply. Intimacy requires trust and balance, not contracts and spreadsheets. The unresolved tension grew, poisoning the relationship from within.

Family, Fame, and Fractures

Despite intimacy issues, Candy wanted to grow their family. She expressed frustration over their lack of physical connection, but eventually, they worked through it enough to welcome their son Ace in 2016. Their daughter Blaze arrived via surrogate in 2019, but Todd struggled to bond with her, feeling disconnected from the process.

Candy called Todd out for spending too much time outside the house, clubbing just days after Blaze was born. Todd argued he went out because Candy wasn’t giving him enough attention, needing validation in a family where he felt increasingly irrelevant.

Psychologically, avoidance is common when someone feels overwhelmed or unseen. Todd wasn’t getting reassurance from his marriage, wasn’t bonded to his baby, and wasn’t grounded in his identity as a father. Nightlife, clubs, and attention from strangers became his escape.

Candy also worried about Todd’s New Jersey condo, purchased with an ex-girlfriend and used as his home base during New York trips. Allegations of infidelity circulated among Candy’s inner circle, further eroding trust.

As their business empire grew, Candy realized their relationship had become more business than pleasure. During therapy, she admitted their intimacy had faded; the fire was gone. Todd felt unseen, claiming he’d rearranged his life for Candy but hadn’t received the same sacrifices in return. He took on new businesses to prove himself, to appease Mama Joyce, and to satisfy fans who questioned his value. But no amount of success could fill the emotional void.

Desperate Solutions and Public Signs

In a bid to salvage intimacy, Candy and Todd began inviting other women into their bedroom. Threesomes can be healthy for couples with strong foundations, but for a relationship already struggling, it’s a distraction—not a solution. In November 2025, Candy defended their lifestyle, saying there’s nothing wrong with threesomes in marriage. But zooming out, it looks more like two people trying to recapture a spark that’s long gone.

The public signs of a split became unmistakable. At BravoCon, Candy appeared alone—no Todd, no wedding ring. She removed “Tucker” from her Instagram handle and stopped posting photos of him. Todd’s social media shifted to “single dad energy,” with solo shots of the kids and no affectionate captions.

The Final Chapter

None of this is shocking. The signs that Todd was never fully locked in have flashed for over a decade. Their relationship was built on opportunity, timing, and compromises that slowly ate away at its foundation. Candy deserves a love that chooses her without hesitation. Todd deserves peace outside the pressure cooker he’s lived in.

If divorce is on the horizon—and all signs point that way—it’s not a tragedy. It’s a release. Sometimes the healthiest thing two people can do is admit the relationship has run its course, co-parent with respect, and heal individually.