Check Out Candice Rose’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Candice Rose.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Strangely enough, I was born while my parents lived in the W.C. Fields mansion in Los Feliz, CA. Fearing the impact of smog, mudslides and entitlement, my parents moved the family to Winston-Salem, North Carolina when I was five years old. In 1988, I chose to attend high school at an all-girls boarding school in upstate New York, just 30 minutes from Manhattan, so I could see Broadway shows and take professional acting classes on the weekends. I played leading roles in several stage productions at The Masters School, with the role of Dodger in Oliver being my all-time favorite. In 1992 I moved to the Big Apple, where I was a founding member of The Mint Theatre company, and I earned my equity card in the off-Broadway show: Gender Wars. I began to feel like a sardine stuffed in a can living in NYC, and I needed to get some fresh air. I applied and was accepted into a prestigious two-year acting/writing/directing program at Trinity Repertory Conservatory in Providence, Rhode Island. When I was not in class, I often found myself sitting in the back of an almost empty theatre, watching Viola Davis rehearse one of her main stage shows. I became one of the few conservatory students to get cast in A Christmas Carol alongside Viola and Peter Gerety and was lucky enough to perform in a slew of stage productions, two of which were directed by Richard Jenkins and Dakin Matthews. I joined SAG in 1997 thanks to Law & Order, and went on to perform on several procedurals. I found my niche in character work, portraying a homeless person opposite Craig T. Nelson on The District, a sex worker on Strong Medicine, and then I landed my biggest role as a Guest Star on JAG. My character headshots are featured in the book: So You Want to Be in Show Business. I eventually ended up taking a 13-year hiatus because needless to say, this is a tough career path, and I needed to find other interests and hobbies. I began working in the corporate world, where I gained valuable lessons in business which helped tremendously when I started auditioning again in 2019. I love Atlanta, and wanted to explore the endless opportunities in GA ! I signed with Tay & Christopher, who I adore, at Smith Young Talent and began my second chapter.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It’s been quite the journey with its fair share of ups and downs. Before taking a hiatus, I was completely defining myself through my career, to the point where I had little room for anything else. That was a slippery slope! I took rejection personally and found myself comparing myself to others every day. Without a strong network or industry connections in the late 90’s, I initially navigated the audition circuit through pay-to-play Casting Director workshops just to get seen. Finding the right team—an agent or manager who truly believed in me like I believed in myself—was another huge challenge. Failure has never been an option, and the more I kept at it, the more confident I became which is a big part of what got me to where I am today.

I battled an eating disorder, which was probably my attempt at control during turbulent times, and that took years of therapy and self-compassion to move beyond. Recently, I’ve begun to genuinely feel that I am enough exactly the way I am. I accept the fact that I won’t book every role, but the roles I have landed feel perfectly aligned with my journey. I no longer get discouraged when I don’t get cast—because I know there are so many factors at play in the casting process. As long as I continue delivering my best work, I trust that the right opportunities will find me at the right time.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am an actor first and foremost, with recent credits as a producer and casting director. I am especially proud of the feature film *GAIA*, which I produced, cast, and played a large supporting role in. We were honored to receive the Audience Award for U.S. Narrative Feature at the Gasparilla International Film Festival in March of this year. Filming took place during the strike, and I scrambled to secure some notable talent during a period when production opportunities were limited.

My most recognized role is Mrs. Allen in *Halloween Ends*, filmed entirely in Savannah, Georgia, under the direction of David Gordon Green. I played Chrissy’s mom, Laura Cunningham, in *Stranger Things* (Season 4), Aunt Melanie in *She-Hulk: Attorney at Law*, and Jan in *Ordinary Joe*. Recently, I wrapped production on the feature film *Coyote*, alongside Esai Morales, Dean Norris, and Mel Gibson, directed by Emmy-winning Per Prinz. The film is scheduled for a theatrical release in 2027.

I believe my versatility is what truly sets me apart. One week, I might be embodying a toothless hag, and the next, I’m stepping into the shoes of a glamorous socialite. I’m not afraid to look worn down or broken—if anything, I find it opens up more doors and showcases my range. During my headshot sessions, I make it a point to explore a multitude of looks, because I genuinely want to do it all. Whether it’s gritty drama or high society elegance, I’m here to bring anything and everything to life.

Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
I find excitement and relaxation playing Texas Hold’em poker; it’s truly my happy place. Over time, I’ve built lasting relationships with people from all walks of life through this shared passion, and unexpectedly, it’s become a bright spot in my life. My poker buddies all call me “Hollywood”.
I enjoy thrifting and reselling my exciting finds on-line.
My main side hustle is selling steel for a distributor of industrial metals. It’s amazing how these diverse distractions can be lifesavers, keeping me energized and grounded amidst the craziness of the entertainment industry.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @candiceroseisbusy
• Facebook: Candice Rose
• Other: https://imdb.me/CandiceRose

Image Credits
Matthew Kallish-LA (the black-and-white photos, the main photo with the red top, the blue dress, the smiling off to the side blue top picture)

Casey James-LA (ONLY the green blazer with my hands on my knees, the headshot with the white collar and mesh beige top)