Candice Glover

April 2024 Issue
Photography submitted by Candice Glover

Candice Glover
Career: Performer, writer, producer, director
Hometown: Beaufort, South Carolina
Claim to Fame: American Idol Season 12 Winner

Candice, the last time we caught up, we were at the largest Pink Partini ever held throughout 19 years. It was the largest, because you were taking center stage that evening. In fact, you were center stage! More than 4,000 people came out to Tanger Outlets in Bluffton to not only celebrate your monumental win of Season 12 American Idol, but also to hear your beautiful, powerful voice. 

That was 2013 and over the 20 years of Pink’s existence, your win is one of the biggest, most positive things Beaufort County has experienced. In the last 11 years, we have seen you grow and blossom. We’ve gotten to meet your wonderful mother, Carole, and participate in her big event. We are thrilled for your success, and we are excited to let everyone know what you’re currently up to and where your journey has led you so far! So, Candice, please fill us in!

Candice, what is the most exciting thing you’ve experienced or done since winning American Idol in 2013?
The most exciting thing that I’ve experienced in my life thus far would have to be the traveling I’ve gotten to do. I got to spend about 7 months traveling between all of New Zealand, Australia, Alaska, Hawaii, and the French Polynesian Islands. Some of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen! To travel out there and perform for the international fans has been so rewarding and humbling. 

What are you doing now? Tell us what your typical work day is filled with these days. 
A typical day for me: I wake up, feed my toy poodle, Prynce, and take him outside for some fresh air. I sit down to have some breakfast and look at my workload for the day. I am one of the music coordinators and directors at SCAD (Savannah College of Art and Design) so I move between campuses a lot. I graduated from there with a degree in Dramatic Writing for Film and Television and started my career there the same year. We have a campus in Savannah, Atlanta, Hong Kong (closed recently due to the pandemic) and Lacoste, France. I put on some of the biggest concerts at the university and work with the executive ensemble as a vocal and performance coach. My band is also based in Savannah, so I’ve hired them to work with me at SCAD as well as on my personal shows. I’m going on a small tour with Ruben Studdard in the summer, and I’m also doing the Gullah Geechee Festival coming up this weekend in Richmond Hill. So, although I travel the world, I still remember my roots and come close to home very often!

We gain wisdom through learning from others, as well as sheer experience and age. What do you know now that you wish you would have known from the start?
I know now that every growth is not linear. There will be many ups and downs along the way but all of it is part of the journey. I know now that there’s no single path to success, and that success is not the typical TV appearances and album releases, but rather the simple happiness and contentment you feel by doing what you love. Every day I wake up, I know I am making music that day, in some way, shape or form. And that fulfills me in ways I could never explain. Being a little girl and wanting nothing more than to be a performer. I achieved that dream.

Given the path your life has taken from St. Helena Island to Hollywood and beyond, what are you most proud of so far? 
I’m proud of myself for sticking to what I know is my purpose. I’m proud to still be doing what I love. I’m proud I’ve learned the ins and outs of the industry and apply that to my career, but still remain true to myself and keep the authenticity that got me this far. Lots of people fall victim to the inauthentic ways of Hollywood. I’m proud to say I have not. I’ve stuck to my guns and followed my heart and it’s gotten me so many blessings along the way.

You live in Atlanta now.
What do you miss most about your home town of St. Helena Island? 
I miss my mom and grandma’s cooking. I miss going outside and feeling the fresh air (when there are no gnats outside, haha). I miss walking across a huge yard with grass and trees for some exercise, or just because I feel like being outside. I miss watching TV with my dad and talking for hours with my grandma. I still get to do these things occasionally! But I miss it a lot when I’m not there.

You grew up singing gospel at church. Do you have a favorite Bible verse?
Psalm 118:22. The stone that the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. This speaks volumes to me and is a part of my testimony. To be rejected is a hurtful and sometimes traumatic experience. But I know through God that all things work together for the good, and although I may have been rejected while following my dreams, his plan was still carried out, and I became a winner. I became exactly what God had in store for me. And although I’m still striving every day to reach my goals, I thank God that He placed His hands on my life and allowed me this platform to share the gift that He gave me. I wouldn’t be here if it was not for God’s grace, and I’ll tell my testimony no matter where I go.

People say you’re their Idol!
What does it mean to you to know your talent emotionally moves people? 
It still shocks me! I remember days where I’d sit in front of my laptop for hours just recording videos to upload onto YouTube. To go from that to having people literally look up to me and see me as an inspiration to them, it just reminds me of when I was in that position and makes me want to keep going! I also know what it’s like to be emotionally moved by singers and their voices. It says a lot when music moves you that way. To be in that company is wild. It’s something I have yet to wrap my head around. 

What music emotionally moves you? In other words, you’re driving in your car, traffic is light and it’s a beautiful day…what’s blaring from your playlist?
I love every genre of music. I love everything from Brandy to Miley Cyrus back to Lucky Daye and Sza. Ariana Grande, Don Toliver, Charlie Puth, Drake, Travis Scott. I can appreciate people’s ability to just create sound and movement in music. The idea of that is what moves me in and of itself. Pop music inspires me and makes me happy, and R&B touches me from an emotional and vocalist perspective. But also, most likely the music playing in my car is a playlist I made to send to my band for us to rehearse with. (Hahaha) I make music for a living, even if that means reimagining music that is already out there. I am a creative, so somehow, all of what I listen to is incorporated into my work. 

In all the other seasons of Idol, who has been your favorite winner? Why?
I’ve always been a huge Fantasia fan. Ruben Studdard is a good friend of mine, and I also love Kelly Clarkson. She’s the OG winner of the show and has the most beautiful, soulful, deep, voice that touches me so heavily! She does covers on her talk show, and it’s always better than the original! I love her. She can do no wrong in my eyes! 

You were on American Idol when Randy Jackson, Nicki Minaj, Keith Urban and Mariah Carey were judges. What advice and from whom do you remember today that has made a positive difference for you?
Mariah Carey was always in my corner letting me know when to react and when to take things with a grain of salt. She always struck me as a real woman who has been in the industry and knows when things are not what they seem. I appreciate her for putting me up on game when it came to things like that. 

Who has been a constant positive influence on you in your singing career? How about life in general?
My family has always been supportive of me from day one. I still call my mom and dad every single day and talk to them about everything whether it’s a good or bad day. They always keep me lifted in prayer and have been the driving force behind my ability to face the world with no fears and no regrets. 

What’s the biggest life change you’ve experienced since stepping into the spotlight?
The biggest life change is probably how much I travel ALONE. I have been across the globe just me, myself, and I. If I told 11-year-old Candice that she would be catching a plane to Vancouver and hopping on a vessel to Alaska to sing, she’d probably laugh, LOUDLY! (Hahaha) 

What would you say to others who have a dream (whether it be singing, starting a business, writing a book, or whatever) who don’t believe it can happen to them?
Believe it. You have to literally be delusional about your craft. If you don’t believe in it, who will? Every day you wake up, do something toward that goal. Put something toward that dream. It adds up. I promise.

What’s three cities/locations you have loved experiencing the most and why?
I loved Tauranga, New Zealand. I love the water, and there was an all- natural water park there, where I experienced some of the best thrills of my life. I also loved Wellington, New Zealand. I made some friends out there, and they took me to the best pasta spot I’ve ever been to. I had a lot of fun in Brisbane, Australia, Auckland, New Zealand, and even Bora Bora. The water is as clear as it looks in the photos!

What’s next for you Candice? What are you looking forward to in the near future?
In the near future I’m looking forward to getting on the road and touring a couple cities. Live performances have always been my favorite form of expression through music. There’s nothing like a live band and a live audience. I thrive off that energy. I have music written I want to record, but for now, I’m enjoying the ride as an entertainer and producer. Who knows what the future holds!

What are you currently roaring about?
I have always been passionate about higher education and mental health! I am looking into getting my master’s in psychology and counseling. I believe everyone has a right to be heard, and I am anxious to learn more about the human mind and why we operate the way we do. Maybe one day I will open a practice and help those close to home! I have so many passions and talents, and I want to put them all to use in some way. I’ll be taking over the world here soon. Just watch.