Candiace Dillard Biography
Candiace Dillard Bassett is an American television personality, singer, actress, and podcaster. She is best known for winning Miss United States 2013 and starring as a main cast member on Bravo’s The Real Housewives of Potomac from Season 3 to Season 8 (2018-2024). She is currently a cast member on Peacock’s The Traitors Season 4 and stars as Syleena on ALLBLK’s Hush.
Candiace Dillard Education
Dillard attended Howard University, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Communications & Broadcast Journalism in 2009. She also earned her Master of Business Administration in 2022 from Howard University in Washington, D.C. In addition, Candiace worked on her MBA while she was still filming RHOP Season 7.
Candiace Dillard Career
Biloxi, Mississippi, is where Dillard was born and later brought up in Atlanta, Georgia. From observing her parents, who were Air Force physicians, she learned what excellence looked like. Additionally, she has served a tenure in the White House Offices of Public Engagement and Intergovernmental Affairs, where she liaised between the White House and the African American community for President Barack Obama. In 2012, during President Obama’s reelection campaign, she served as a staffer.
She won the crown and title of Miss United States in the year 2013. For a number of years, she has been a contestant in the pageant industry and holds top placements in the Miss United States pageant systems, Miss District of Columbia USA, Miss Maryland USA, Georgia Miss American Coed, National Miss American Coed, and National American Miss. In addition, she is no stranger when it comes to performing as she considers herself an artist at heart. In the award-winning independent film “Water in a Broken Glass” she debuted, and in the sitcom Family Reunion, she guest-starred alongside Tia Mowry as the spunky Sunita Chanel.
She released her debut album this summer following the success of her R&B single “I See You” (the remix). Furthermore, in her career as an entrepreneur, she is the founder and CEO of Candiace Dillard Pageant Consulting, co-owner of Chateau Salon Suites, and cofounder of Prima Hair Collection by Candiace Dillard. Additionally, she also founded an organization called My Sister’s Keeper in 2019, which is a mentorship and women’s empowerment organization designed to give young girls the opportunity to interact with women in their communities.
Candiace Dillard Acting Career
In 2022, Dillard Bassett made her scripted series regular debut as Syleena Gibson on ALLBLK’s provocative drama Hush. Created by Angela Burt-Murray, Hush follows top marriage and sex therapist Dr. Draya Logan (Joyful Drake), who becomes entangled in lies, and murder. Dillard Bassett plays trophy wife Syleena Gibson, who keeps her marriage to high-powered attorney Terrell Gibson (Lanre Idewu) spicy by fulfilling his fantasies. The 8-episode first season premiered December 1, 2022, with Dillard Bassett returning for Season 2 in 2023. The series also stars Caryn Ward Ross, Erica Mena, and TS Madison.
Candiace Dillard Music Career
Music has always been Candseco’s second language, and she began singing when she was 4 years old. She was a gospel choir background singer in church. In addition, she has done live performances on Bravo, Howard Homecoming, and the Essence Festival. Furthermore, she has also performed at a number of charity events, singing the National Anthem.
Candiace released her first album in 2021, titled Deep Space. The album debuted at #24 on the Top 25 Current R&B Albums chart. The album had 11 tracks, which were executively produced by her husband Chris and producer Teek.
In 2021 she debuted her album Deep Space, and it ranked at #24 on the Top 25 Current R&B Albums chart. In addition, the albam received praises from Toni Braxton, Anita Baker, and Nicki Minaj. Furthermore, the album features singles such as Drive Back, Is It Enough, Fine Wine, and Insecure. For this album, she was made a member of the Recording Academy (Grammys) for the class of 2022.
Later in 2022, she released the deluxe edition of her album Deep Space. In this edition, she added new songs and duets. In addition, she also featured gospel star singer Isaac Carree and Q. Parker of 112. Her singing style is R&B and soul music with gospel roots.
Candiace Dillard Podcast
Dillard is the podcast co-host of Undomesticated alongside Michael Arceneaux since 2024, when they began the podcast. On the 31st of December 2025, she addressed concerns about her return to The Real Housewives of Potomac. Candiace stated that she does not have any plans to return to Potomac at the moment. However, she also said that she is a firm believer that one should never say never. Dillard is not part of RHOP seasons 10-11.
Candiace Dillard Net Worth
Dillard has an estimated net worth of about $4.5 Million as of 2026.
Candiace Dillard Salary
Dillard earns an anuual salary of about $47,000-$120,000.
Candiace Dillard The Real Housewives of Potomac Journey
Dillard Joined RHOP in back in 2018, while it was in its 3rd Season. While on the show, she was known for feuds with Gizelle Bryant, Robyn Dixon, Ashley Darby and Monique Samuels, plus her music storyline and marriage to Chris.
However, on March 25, 2024, Candiace announced her exit after ending Season 8: “As I embark on a new chapter after six remarkable years with The Real Housewives of Potomac, I am filled with gratitude… This is not a farewell, but a ‘see you later.'” Furthermore, she later disclosed that she left because she had decided to pursue IVF. In addition, she also stated that she did not feel that RHOP was a safe space during her fertility journey.
Candiace Dillard Age
Dillard was born on December 14, 1986, in Biloxi, Mississippi, United States. She is 40 years old as of 2026, and she celebrates her birthday on the 14th of December every year.
Candiace Dillard Height and Weight
Dillard stands at a height of 5 feet 3 inches (1.60 m) tall. However, information about her weight will be updated when available.
Candiace Dillard Family
Dillard’s mother is known as Dorothy, and both her parents were Air Force physicians. She has two siblings known as Chris and Crystal. However, there is no information about her father; hence, this information will be updated when available.
Candiace Dillard Husband
Dillard is married to Chris Bassett, whom she met while they were both working at a restaurant in downtown Washington, D.C. Chris was her manager at the restaurant, and she was a server. They became friends for a number of years, and their friendship blossomed into an undeniable love. In addition, they got engaged in May 2017, and on August 11, 2018, they had their wedding ceremony at the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium in D.C.
Candiace Dillard Son
Candiace announced her pregnancy on April 15, 2024, via an Instagram post, days after her RHOP exit. She conceived with the help of IVF. On October 3, 2024, Dillard and Chris welcomed their son Jett Maxwell Lee Bassett. In addition, while on an interview with PEOPLE, Candiace stated that “Jett is just the cutest little thing… He’s brought such joy to our lives.”
Furthermore, they named their son Jett, meaning “excellence and abundance” in Hebrew. In 2025 interviews with ET and Essence, she opened up about postpartum complications. She stated that she had a blood clot in her ovary that required 8-10 weeks on blood thinners. In addition, Candiace also shared that her biggest fear was her son never knowing her if she had died at all.
In addition, she is also the stepmother to Chris’s 3 children from his previous marriage: Owen, Mateo, and Naia, who are in their 20s.