Today we’d like to introduce you to Candice Coke.
Hi Candice, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I was always an odd creative child. I made my own clothes, painted and wrote poetry in my closets and danced around the living room on Saturdays with my family. When I was in HS, my band teacher asked if I wanted to be in the School production of Once Upon a Mattress as The Jester… I was hooked! I earned a Diving Scholarship to NYU after winning States my senior year, and I knew that following that path would expose me to New York and all the Artful gifts it had to offer. While attending school, I needed to make money. There was an add-in Backstage to become a Knicks City Dancer and I thought to myself, “that could be fun!”. It was. That’s when my dance career started. I wasn’t a trained dancer, but I met some extraordinary women along the way who taught me the ropes. I crashed a Michael Jackson audition….and that was the beginning of it all. From there it was Prince, Biggie Smalls, Ricky Martin, national commercials and independent films, etc.
Soon I found a manager who guided me into film and television, and then I became bi-coastal, splitting my time between NY and LA.
When the time was right, I took the chance and moved to LA… From that point on, everything kinda feels like a blur! It feels like it’s been a lifetime of ups and downs, but at the same time I’m like, ” Where has the time gone?”. No matter what the circumstance, I always hustled and stayed persistent as a student of life and my craft. I’m Jamaican and Polish, a New Yorker and an Aries….No one can ever call me lazy, lol. I focused on acting mostly and have had some wonderful opportunities along the way. I just recently wrapped Kevin Can F Himself on AMC and filmed a movie in Louisville… I’m excited to see what the future holds because I’m just getting started!
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
This business is surely challenging at times, but what journey isn’t? I think one of the hardest parts of being an artist is when you want it so badly, but you only have 20 bucks to your name, and you want to do big things, but you feel hopeless and unseen. But at the same time… That’s the gift isn’t it? It was the motivation I sometimes needed to always keep going.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am an actress with a strong dance background. I can also sing a mean Karaoke song, and just took up Fencing! I would say I’m versatile and always willing to try something new at least once. I’m also the one who will always try to keep you laughing on a job. I try not to take myself too seriously unless it really matters. I’m most proud of how I show up to work. At the end of a job, it’s always nice to hear that when I showed up to set, people felt good.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
My favorite thing about this city is The Hollywood Bowl! It’s a must if you come to visit. But (I know people will think I’m crazy) It’s hot here all the time, and I miss the 4 seasons.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: candicecokeofficial and or Therealcandyland for more personal thoughts.
Image Credits
Main photo is Teren Oddo
