We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Candace Abdul-Raheem a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Candace, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today I’m sure there have been days where the challenges of being an artist or creative force you to think about what it would be like to just have a regular job. When’s the last time you felt that way? Did you have any insights from the experience?

At this time, it’s 50/50. I’m happier as an artist /creative at the same time, I would like more for myself, more and bigger opportunities, to the point where I am my own brand, I get paid and booked for being me, that’s where I would like to me. I’m currently juggling my entertainment job along with my regular job, been doing both for almost two years. Holding down both jobs isn’t for the weak. I’m following my dreams at the same time, making sure I can support myself as far as my finances, and investing into myself. There are times that I have declined bookings that might’ve sound good (the exposure that I will receive) , but it will hurt me later on because the pay for bookings isn’t consistent, and all my bills will fall behind. I often think how my life would be if I dropped it all and just did my regular job, even move back to my hometown (Baltimore,MD) , let all of my accomplishment fade away, and just let it be a fantasy or memory in my mind. When I snap out of it those erratic thoughts, I realize that I truly don’t vision myself doing a regular job within a few years, or at least the rest of it. I don’t enjoy it as much I enjoy acting and model bookings. So I hang on, and keep striving (not matter how difficult it may be), telling myself it will all pay off in God’s time. I came this far for a reason.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I am an upcoming actress, entertainer, and model. It all started off originally with dance at the age of 3. Throughout elementary school, I was always apart of something. Doesn’t matter how small it was,I was apart of it, and always on stage. I’m known for being extremely shy, but once I finally get out of my shell, I’m told that I’m pretty talented, and most of all, very funny. I may be introverted, but I let any talent I have speak for me, when I’m ready to present it. I’ve done school choirs, drama clubs, dance recitals, one talent show (just for fun), a few fashion shows, and even step shows. At one point, I was step captain for the team. Let’s also add public speaking and debates onto the list. Fast forwarding to now at age 26, I’m currently known as the random cry-baby on “P-Valley” Season 2 (episode 8), currently streaming on the STARZ app or channel. The day that episode aired, I posted my personal BTS footage , made it a tiktok post, which went viral right away, currently at 1.3 million views. I literally had the surprise post as a secret , sitting in my video drafts for almost a whole year. That role was only background/extra however, the viewers wanted to see more of me and asked if I had my own storyline. I kindly appreciated the love and stated that it’s up to the writer and production of the show. My performance was that well, I admit and I’m impressed with myself. Another thing I’ve been known for was being roasted by DC Young Fly on VH1’s “WILDN’ OUT” Season 18, episode 23. I was just an audience member by the way, just happened to be randomly cracked on at the end of the show. Both shows (I was blessed to have camera time on) were aired on two different channels during the same week. Although I’ve recently ended my background acting days (after 1.5 years) , I have more things in the works, they just haven’t aired yet. I am currently taking acting classes, submitting for audition, so I can move up to speaking roles, and hopefully star as a main character one day. Will work on having an agent on board when it’s time. Along with acting, I do print modeling as well, I even pick up modeling gigs here and there for music videos, but that’s if I get picked, and able to squeeze it in between the other things I’m doing. Just a simply girl from Maryland that chose to chase her dreams.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

Going based the potential somebody has, and not by their popularity or how many followers on social media they have. I often get overlooked or turned away because I only have 2k followers on Instagram. I have the talent, potential , and I’m professional (very easy to do business with) , I just do not have the big amount of followers. Meanwhile on the other hand , someone can have 200k followers and lack talent, have a large ego, and can be very difficult to work with (professionally). Let’s give people with potential and willing to work a chance, no matter how many followers they have.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

It may seem small to others, but being acknowledged In person by people I never met before without me needing to say what things I’ve done. I hope more people recognize me more as time goes on, and maybe I’ll tell my life story to inspire others.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.tiktok.com/@shescandace1?_t=8WA7vatjTEA&_r=1
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/shescandace
• Linkedin: https://linktr.ee/1shescandace

Image Credits
@jp.shotit @gioelegantphotos @heronlyfan