Candiace Dillard Bassett is entering a bold new chapter, balancing music, acting, podcasting, and motherhood all while reflecting on her unforgettable experience inside The Traitors castle.

During a recent interview alongside Olympic icon Tara Lipinski and figure skating legend Johnny Weir, the trio looked back on the close friendships they unexpectedly formed while competing on the hit reality series. Although alliances shifted throughout the game, Candiace admitted she couldn’t bring herself to betray those she had grown so close to.

Originally hoping to be selected as one of the Traitors, Candiace confessed she entered the competition ready to play strategically. However, as the weeks progressed, the emotional bonds she built with her castmates made the game far more difficult than she anticipated.

“I wanted to go all in,” she shared, laughing that she was prepared to “murder people” in the game. But once genuine friendships developed, the thought of deceiving those closest to her became emotionally overwhelming. Looking back, she says leaving before the finale may have been for the best, admitting she would have struggled to eliminate friends she truly cared about.

Throughout filming, Candiace credits Tara and Johnny with making life inside the castle much easier. From sharing laughs and music-filled moments to offering emotional support during the intense competition, their friendship became one of the highlights of her experience.

Away from reality television, Candiace is pouring her heart into new music. The singer revealed that much of her upcoming EP was written while she was pregnant, allowing her to create from a place of honesty, vulnerability, and emotional growth. She describes the project as deeply personal and says it’s one of her most authentic bodies of work to date.

Leading the release is her new single, “Pretty Ain’t Perfect,” an emotionally charged anthem exploring the realities of love, marriage, sacrifice, and the complicated moments that often exist behind seemingly perfect relationships.

The multi-hyphenate is also enjoying the success of her podcast, Undomesticated, where she and bestselling author Michael Arceneaux dive into everything from pop culture and politics to relationships, money, reality television, and current events. Known for her candid opinions and quick wit, Candiace joked that she occasionally says more than she probably should—often hearing about it from her mother afterward.

Adding another impressive credit to her résumé, Candiace is starring in the stage production I’ve Cried the Blues, a moving drama set during the Jim Crow era. She portrays Miss Lily, an ambitious woman determined to overcome life’s obstacles, in a story that blends powerful performances with music, dance, resilience, and hope.

Whether she’s captivating audiences on stage, recording heartfelt music, or sharing unfiltered conversations on her podcast, Candiace Dillard Bassett continues to prove she’s much more than a reality television favorite—she’s an artist confidently stepping into her next era.