ATLANTA , Georgia ( CNN ) -- Why would an award-winning singer , songwriter , producer and single mother want to tack reality TV star onto her long list of accomplishments ? Kandi Burruss says she is happy to join the `` Real Housewives of Atlanta '' cast . For Kandi Burruss , the newest member of the Real Housewives of Atlanta , the answer is simple : `` I was a fan last year . I love the show . '' The second season of Bravo 's hit show is set to premier on Thursday with Burruss replacing cast member DeShawn Snow . Burruss is well-known in the music industry as a former member of the platinum-selling R & B girl group Xscape and co-writer of such hits as Destiny 's Child 's `` Bills , Bills , Bills '' and TLC 's `` No Scrubs , '' for which she won a Grammy . The Atlanta native almost ended up on another reality show with former group mate and writing partner Tameka `` Tiny '' Cottle , who is the fiancée of rapper T.I . and now stars on BET 's `` Tiny & Toya '' alongside Antonia `` Toya '' Carter , the ex-wife of Lil ' Wayne . The deal for that show did n't work out and Burruss said she was more than happy to sign on with Bravo 's wildly successful southern edition of the `` Housewives '' franchise , which chronicles the lives of a group of affluent African-American women in the ATL . Burruss was already friendly with cast mate Lisa Wu Hartwell , whom she met through their mutual friend Cottle . Having watched the show -- which last season enraptured viewers with a mix of constant infighting , lavish lifestyles and a healthy dose of drama -- Burruss said she was more concerned with being thrust into the public eye than she was with getting along with the cast . `` The only thing that made me hesitant about wanting to be a part of the show is the fact that people are so critical of the show , '' she said . `` Just dealing with people on the outside judging you . That part is going to be something that I am going to have to get used to . '' The artist has already had to get acclimated to people smearing her personal life on the Internet . Watch Burruss discuss her time on the show » . Newly engaged to a father of six children , Burruss has watched him get attacked in blogs and is protective of the man who she said even her mother is n't thrilled about her marrying . `` [ The show ] has been very , very stressful on the relationship , '' she said . `` I guess [ people ] could n't find anything bad [ to say ] about me , so they wanted to go in on my fiancé . '' Her caring nature and laid-back personality make Burruss special in the industry , said rapper Rick Ross . `` She 's a very humble person , maybe one of the most humble people among the biggest songwriters in the industry , '' said Ross , who collaborated with Burruss on a track for a new solo album she has in the works . `` It 's good to be around the greats and she most definitely is one of the greatest in the industry . '' Her home music studio attests to that . The walls are covered with gold and platinum records for her work with several high-profile artists including Alicia Keys , *NSYNC , Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston . Being part of a girl group helped prepare her for the drama of dealing with the other housewives ' personalities , Burruss said , though she admitted clashing with outspoken cast mate NeNe Leakes during filming . `` I was a fan of hers last year , '' Burruss said . `` All that wild and crazy stuff she says to people , when you 're watching it , it 's funny , it 's hilarious ... but when it 's directed at you , it 's not funny anymore . '' Burruss got along better with aspiring singer Kim Zolciak , who Burruss will assist in achieving her dream of breaking into the industry . Last season , fans of the show -- and some of the other housewives -- slammed Zolciak for her less-than-stellar voice . `` Everybody loves to hate on Kim . But what I have to say is that Kim is actually cooler in person than she came off on the show , '' said Burruss , who in 1999 won top songwriter of the year from the American Society of Composers , Authors and Publishers . `` I wanted to help her out because I love helping the underdog . '' The busy artist said she has no idea if she will be invited back for another season . Appearing on the show , which Burruss said is not scripted , was fun , but she is busy with an upcoming album and with caring for her daughter , Riley , she said . She doubts she will be addicted to appearing on reality TV like she is addicted to music , Burruss said . `` It 's just another way for people to get to know you and hopefully they see me in a good light , '' she said . `` You always hope that it does n't backfire . ''
Burruss is the newest member of BET 's ` She 's a very humble person , maybe one of the most humble people among the biggest songwriters in the industry , '' An accomplished singer/songwriter/producer , she was last season . Burruss confirms she and cast mate Burruss did n't get along . The single mother hopes fans will see her in `` a good light ''