Candiace Dillard Bassett is a sassy and savvy 33-year-old former Miss United States, hailing from Atlanta, Georgia. At an early age, the Real Housewives of Potomac star learned what excellence looked like from observing her parents, who served in the United States Air Force and worked in different facets of the medical field. A graduate of Howard University, she 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. She later traded in her suit and heels for the campaign trail, where she served as a staffer for President Obama’s 2012 reelection campaign. In 2013, Candiace won the crown and title of Miss United States and hasn’t looked back since. While she takes pride in her background in public service, she considers herself an artist at heart and is no stranger to performing. Her award-winning independent film debut cast her as the spicy Dr. Nicole St. Claire in Water In A Broken Glass. You can also catch her as Victoria in season two of the web series, Pivot Point and making her lead actor and co-producer debut this summer in a new independent feature called The Cure. This fall, Candiace will guest star alongside Tia Mowry as the spunky Sunita Chanel in Netflix’s Family Reunion. Music is a second language for Candiace, singing most of her life. From talent competitions to choirs to a girl group, her music journey eventually led her to the production of her first single R&B single, I See You. Forthcoming, with the help of Grammy Award winning producer, Chucky Thompson, Candiace will release her second single, the I See You Remix. The go-go hit is an homage to the city that adopted her, Washington, DC, featuring Anwan “Big G” Glover of renowned go-go group, Backyard Band. As an entrepreneur, she is the founder and CEO of Candiace Dillard Pageant Consulting, cofounder of Prima Hair Collection by Candiace Dillard, and co-owner of Chateau Salon Suites. In 2009, she also founded an organization called My Sister’s Keeper, a mentorship and women’s empowerment organization designed to give young girls the opportunity to interact with women in their communities. Candiace is married to her best friend, restaurateur Chris Bassett, whom she met while they were both working at a restaurant in downtown Washington, D.C. When she is not running her numerous businesses, Candiace can be found curled up with a good book, as reading is her favorite pastime. Don’t miss Candiace on season 5 of the Real Housewives of Potomac Sundays at 8PM EST on Bravo TV!