| [CKCC] Hi Candace! Welcome to the first official interview for CKCC!!! |
| [CKCC] First off, I'd like to let you know that finding info and pictures about you on the internet rather, well, made me feel like a stalker. Which then led me to wonder and pose here as an interview question, have you ever been stalked before and if so, how freaky was the experience? |
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[Candace]
I've
only been actually stalked once. By this I mean I am not counting untoward
advances from people. I consider the term "stalking" to mean someone
bothering you to the point of feeling seriously threatened. This was a
pretty bothersome situation by someone whom I rejected his advances. I
ended up calling the police and they tried to handle it. He has since
backed down, but I worry that he will try to do something again. This is
something that should never be taken lightly and he has made my life
somewhat uncomfortable for the past two years.
|
| [CKCC] People can currently find information about you under three different names; Candace (Candi) Kita, Candace Camille, and Candace Camille Bender. One can only assume that you've been married, and perhaps one is a stage name, can you give us the story behind the three names? Which one do you prefer? |
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[Candace]
My names are all
confusing and this is a good question. My legal given name is Candace
Camille Bender. When I started acting I went by Candace Bender. And for
printwork I went under my first and middle name, Candace Camille. My agent
then thought Candace Bender sounded too much like Candace Bergen the
actress. So I changed to my family name, Kita. I have never been married.
I really still consider myself a Bender, and only use Kita professionally.
|
| [CKCC] Ok, we've seen a couple different stats for you on different web pages. Your birthday is listed as December 27th one place and usually September 24th in other places? What is your real birthday? |
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[Candace]
My real birthday is September 24th. I don't know how it is listed in
December.
|
| [CKCC] Being Asian, do you find that the typical stereotypes of Asian (or specifically Japanese) affects you in your career? Do you think in your case it helps more or hurts more? |
|
[Candace]
Another good question. I think being cast in a role that is
an Asian stereotype is a double-edged sword. In many ways it has helped me
to get jobs if only because there are roles asking for my "look". In other
ways, I feel that it just perpetuates the stereotypes that Asian women are
subservient pieces of Jade.
|
| [CKCC] You appear to be EXTREMELY busy, from doing guest appearances at conventions, modelling gigs, tv and movie appearances, not to mention your work with the deaf, your other interests in yoga and karate, etc... How has that impacted your personal life? Do you find enough time to satisfy a meaningful relationship with all that is going on in your life? |
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[Candace]
I am extremely busy, but I like it
that way. I know eventually I will slow down and I do eventually want to
get married. I never previously wanted children because of my career, but
am beginning to soften in this area. Perhaps one day I will, but everything
has to be just right and I have to be married to a great guy!
|
| [CKCC] What are your short terms (within 5 years) goals in terms of your personal life and your career life? |
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[Candace]
Short term goals include really working as hard as I can for the next few
years to see where this career can take me. I also try every year to be a
kinder, calmer and more generous person. I now that sounds dorky, but
working on the inner person is just as important to me as everything else;
there is always room for improvement. I have always said that life is
short, so I try, try, try to keep a positive mental attitude each day and be
thankful for everyday that I am given.
|
| [CKCC] What are your long terms goals in terms of your personal life and your career life? |
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[Candace]
Long term goals include
marriage, writing, acting, family. I have written one children's book
already that I am currently getting illustrated as we speak. I also have a
comic coming out, Candi Cane. Also, I would like to retire my mom somehow,
somewhere.
|
| [CKCC] A lot of people know you from two main venues; E3 (mostly Tecmo's Dead or Alive's booth) and from your Benchwarmer cards. What was it like working with Tecmo and Benchwarmer? Has your appearances at either venue helped your career dramatically? |
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[Candace]
I love both E3 and Benchwarmer! I' ve always had
positive experiences with both venues and the exposure has been wonderful.
Everyone has been nice and I've also made friends with the other girls I've
worked with over the years.
|
| [CKCC] You've been doing some import car shows in the last couple of years. One thing that we've noticed is that while many of the other car girls try to dress as skimpy and as whorish as possible, to garner attention, you tend to drift to a much more wholesome, classier look that shows sophistication. However, the models that most people walk away remembering are the ones that dressed (or undressed) to show the most skin. First off, to what do you attribute your much more stylish attitude to? Second, what are your opinions regarding the other types of girls and their outfits at the show? Does it bother you at all? |
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[Candace]
I have also had positive experiences at
the car shows. I started off hosting a series called Street Fury. I can say
that I've never had a bad experience with the other girls yet. Aiko Tanaka
is awesome, super nice! And I think you should wear what you are
comfortable wearing. I don't really judge the other people and hope they
are not judging me.
|
| [CKCC] What is your typical fan reaction when they see you at a show or on the street? Do you get asked for autographs more or get asked out more? Where have most of your fans seen you from? |
|
[Candace]
I've had people approach me from seeing me in
different venues; TV, print and signings. I really consider it a compliment
and am quite surprised when this happens. Two days ago an older Asian man
approached me and had seen me on TV and asked me to sign something. I was
really honored. He said he remembered because he always remembers when he
sees someone Asian on television. Regarding which happens more often,
getting hit on or getting recognized, probably the former. I get hit on far
more, but I guess I should consider it a compliment. Most of my fans have
seen me from the Benchwarmer trading card series and a children's show I was
on for two years.
|
| [CKCC] What do you consider your best personality asset in general? |
|
[Candace]
I am a pretty calm person and I love to listen
to other people.
|
| [CKCC] What do you consider your best physical asset? |
|
[Candace]
My smile.
|
| [CKCC] We've read that you started your career as a professional CLOWN. How did that come about and how did that lead into modelling and acting? |
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[Candace]
I was able to pay my way through grad.
school as a clown. I loved it and did it for four years. A great way to be
seen as other than myself for a bit too!
|
| [CKCC] One of your earlier gigs was in the US version of Masked Rider. How was that experience for you? |
|
[Candace]
Masked Rider was a
wonderful experience. I was a series lead for three seasons, two years.
Some of my best friends are from this show and I talk to them and see them
every week.
|
| [CKCC] As a model and actress, most of your income is drawn from your appeal to the public. Since the society is primarily based upon looks more than anything else, how would you say this has impacted you as a person? Has this changed how you view society and life in any negative aspects? |
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[Candace]
Gosh, another great question! I think about this
all of the time really. Most of my appeal is physical in this industry. I
often wonder who this effects and also how this effects me personally. I
also know how to leave work at work and separate my personal and public
life. My friends, I believe, like me for me, not for how I look. And on a
personal level, I try to be the best person I can be and try to treat
everyone how I would like to be treated. I am very thankful for what I have
been given and I realize I have been so blessed in so many ways.
|
| [CKCC] In a world that is drowning in negative forces so often, you seem always able to be upbeat and smiling. What do you consider your center of peace in your life that keeps you moving and driven? What would your advice be to someone looking for the same inner peace that you seem to have found? |
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[Candace]
My inner peace always comes from God. God has given me so much in my
life I really cannot complain. My advice to anyone is life is short; live
your dreams now, don't stress because everything is already taken care of,
and treat people the way you would like to be treated, with love.
|
| [CKCC] We are only on this earth for the total alotted time of our lifespans. When you are gone, what do you hope to be remembered for the most? |
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[Candace]
I
think of the poem, "Ozymandias". No matter how great we think we are, we
are all mere specks in time. I don't worry about being remembered. The
truth is I probably won't be remembered. What matters is now and how you
impact other people living now. Leave the future to the next generations to
come.
|
|
Thank you, Candace, for the time you took to answer our interview!!!
I met a traveler from an antique land Who said: Two vast and trunkless legs of stone Stand in the desert. Near them, on the sand, Half sunk, a shattered visage lies, whose frown, And wrinkled lip, and sneer of cold command, Tell that its sculptor well those passions read, Which yet survive, stamped on these lifeless things, The hand that mocked them, and the heart that fed, And on the pedestal these words appear: "My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings: Look upon my works, ye Mighty, and despair!" Nothing beside remains. Round the decay Of that colossal wreck, boundless and bare The lone and level sands stretch far away. -Percy Bysshe Shelley 1792-1822 |