Candace Cameron Bure – In Her Own Words

FEATURED PHOTO: Candance Cameron Bure | CREDIT: Eric Michael Roy

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CM: You have done it all – author, actress on TV and film, producer, speaker, talk-show host, reality contestant – which “role” of your professional life has been the most rewarding? The most challenging? Why?

Candace: Everything I have done has been so rewarding in its own right and holds a special place in my heart. Professionally, being an actress and author feel the most rewarding because I hear immediate feedback from those who have watched my programs or read my books and hear how it has affected their life. Those personal notes of encouragement and interactions with fans move me to continue to do the types of movies I star in and produce and continue to write meaningful books because they inspire people in some way, and that’s always the goal.

The most challenging job was being a talk show host on “The View.” I loved many aspects of it and it had its rewards, but the difficulties often out-weighed the joys of the job.

The most personally rewarding are the things the viewers and fans don’t see, but behind the scenes producing and directing.

CM: You are one of the most-loved and most-recognized Hallmark stars. Of the movies you’ve made so far, which character did you best identify with and why? What do you most like about being part of the Hallmark family?

Candace: I most identify with my character, Noelle, in “A Shoe Addict’s Christmas.” The faith thread that was woven through that film really came from me, Surprise! One of the themes in the movie was that Noelle thought life was probably better because she was comfortable, even though it may not have been the best life she dreamed of or could be living. Her guardian angel, Charlie, was challenging Noelle to listen to the nudges God was giving her. Sometimes we have to set aside our fears in order to step outside of our comfort zone and be challenged, knowing that we might be put on the Earth to do greater things. I can definitely relate to that.

Hallmark has been an incredible company to work for because they are so supportive of women, working mothers and family. Bill Abbott, Michelle Vicary and everyone at Crown Media are the kind of people you’d imagine and hope they’d be, representing one of the world’s largest heartfelt family brands. In addition, all the actors on the network support each other and we all prop up and promote each other’s movies and shows because we see the value in our growth together at the network. I don’t feel nearly as competitive, but rather supportive and like a cheerleader with everybody. We truly are like a family, and I haven’t found that to be the same on other networks. I think that makes us strive as actors and producers to do our best for Hallmark. They have given us an amazing platform to be on.

CM: What does it mean to you to be a part of Hallmark’s Christmas?

Candace: I felt it the most this year. I recently went my parent’s house for my dad’s 75th birthday. Their friends in their 60’s, 70’s, and even my 95 year old grandma all wanted to talk to me about my Hallmark movies. They even said to me, “You know you are a Christmas tradition now. It’s not the same without watching one of your movies.” There’s been a consistent and gradual growth over the years, but now that my 7th Hallmark Christmas movie released, I feel that it is true. Not only are Hallmark movies a part of people’s tradition, but in some homes I am their tradition. It is the most flattering and wonderful thought that I bring so much joy to people. It tickles me to death!

CM: What projects do you have coming up?

Candace: On December 17th, a special I executive produced called “Christmas Across America” will air on Hallmark. We highlight how different cities all across the U.S celebrate Christmas in their own unique way! I also have my new line with Dayspring which includes t-shirts, aprons, phone cases, necklaces, a new kindness journal, and more. “Fuller House” season 4 will be on Netflix on December 14th! I will also have three Aurora Teagarden Mystery movies coming out in 2019. I recently released my first children’s book “Candace Center Stage.” I am currently working on my next children’s book.

CM: Can you share any behind-the-scenes stories with us?

Candace: A little behind the scenes story from “A Shoe Addicts Christmas” is that we were filming it in Winnipeg, Canada and on September 28th we were filming the horse and carriage ride scene outside. The weather didn’t say it was going to snow (we usually always use fake snow), but it actually started snowing out of nowhere! It created a bit of chaos for our crew because we weren’t expecting so much snow, but it made that scene so beautiful. I felt like that was God giving us a little blessing on the day. It was the only day it snowed that hard during our shoot and it just so happened to be on the horse and carriage ride day, (which I should mention that it wasn’t even supposed to be filmed on that day to begin with. It got moved last minute due to some scheduling issues.) It worked out beautifully!

CM: Who has been your favorite co-star so far? Why?

Candace: I can honestly say I have not had a bad co-star. I have loved working with everyone on my Christmas movies. However, Jean Smart really took it to another level with her talent. I enjoyed working with her SO much. It was such a treat for me. Not only was I able to learn from her process and saw what she brought to her character every day that wasn’t written in the script, but on top of that she is a funny and delightful woman. Alan Thicke was another special co-star for me. Not only did he play my brother’s father on “Growing Pains” all those years, but I had known him for so long. Now that he isn’t with us anymore, it feels even more special that I had the chance to work with him and have him play my dad in a very loved Christmas movie.

CM: Is there a role you would love to play? Why that character or story?

Candace: I have never done a western! That is one that I would like to do sooner than later though because I want to kick some butt while riding a horse, before I get too old.

CM: When I interviewed Donny Osmond I was shocked to learn he felt his time on “Dancing with the Stars” was perhaps the most challenging “role” in his career due to the physical demands. What are your feelings on your time on the show?

Candace: Yes, I would agree with Donny. It has definitely been one of the most challenging events in my life. So much so that I wrote a book about the experience, “Dancing Through Life,” and shared all the lessons I learned that built and strengthened my character. I loved my time on the show so much, but it was mentally challenging most for me. I was sick to my stomach every week before the live show. I had psyched myself out so much to the point that I was blacking out mid-dance forgetting everything. They even sent me to a therapist during one show which was actually really helpful. I absolutely loved learning and I liked performing, but it scared me to death! I would say it had the most impact on me in terms of pushing myself and sticking with it to cross the finish line. I realized I was able to do more than I could have imagined because truthfully I was scared out of my mind and wanted to quit everyday. No matter what the circumstances are in life, when you have something that is challenging, but see it through to the end, you will come out a much more confident person (at least I did). I felt like I could take on any challenge after that show.

CM: What role does faith play in your life? How does it impact your career?

Candace: Faith plays a huge part in my life because it is the foundation of who I am. It has certainly impacted my career because I have never been shy to speak about my faith, despite early career advice. In that way, I believe it has actually helped my career. When I was on “The View,” they wanted that person who wasn’t afraid to talk about it and I felt it was a really unique opportunity. I think most people who do watch me know that I love sharing my faith, but it is not something I try to push on people or ever want them to feel less respected by me if we don’t share the same worldview. I have always tried and strive to be the person open to having truthful and honest conversations about God, the Bible and faith but without judgement, a safe place. Do I hope you’ll take something away from our conversation that points you to God? Of course! But I wouldn’t love you or respect you any less if you didn’t. That has been a pretty wonderful part of my career. I feel like God has really blessed it because I have never been ashamed to share my love for Him.

CM: You married early in life and have been married for quite a while now – is there anything you’d like to share about married life? About being a working mom?

Candace: It is important to remember that there are seasons of life. I really believe that you can do it all, you just can’t do it all at the same time. It is really about prioritizing. My husband and kids understand that I have had busy years, and they are supportive of it and patient. Then there were years that I knew I had to pull back because of my children’s lives or my husband’s career. Things have to balance out. It is always a good perspective and reminder to remember that nothing is going to stay the same way forever.

CM: You are known to be philanthropic. Which charity is closest to your heart?

Candace: I have been on the board of Skip1.org since it’s conception. They help solve hunger one “Skip” at a time. You basically skip something that you wanted to buy, and donate what it would have cost to Skip1.org. 100% of your donation goes to feeding children across the world. They build kitchens in schools in impoverished areas, and help the homeless right here in the United States.

I also work with Compassion International. I have sponsored children through Compassion for over 10 years! Compassion is a child-advocacy ministry that pairs compassionate people with those who are suffering from poverty. The ministry releases children from spiritual, economic, social, and physical poverty. The goal is for each child to become a responsible and fulfilled adult.

CM: Who has most inspired you in your life?

Candace: There are so many people who have inspired me, but I would say my parents have been the biggest influences. I have aspired to be like parents with their Christ-centered lives and philanthropic spirit, my mom a wife and a mother and my dad in his work ethic and humor as well as grow my relationship with my husband they way my parents have for the last 50 years and still going. I want to continue to build the type of relationship with my family like they did with us four kids growing up and as adults. I model a lot of who I am after my parents. There are many other people along the way that have inspired me. Sometimes they are people that I don’t even know. I love watching people succeed in whatever challenges that may come before them, despite their circumstance. I am not only talking about business, but everything in life. Some days my inspiration comes from Facebook, some days it comes from someone who passes me by on the street, sometimes it is at work, and sometimes it is right in my own living room.

A Few of Her Favorite Things…

Favorite food? Japanese Food

Favorite drink? Fiji Water or a glass of Bure Family Wines

Favorite movie? WIZARD OF OZ

Favorite TV show? “Friends” or “The Office”

Favorite book? “Becoming Mrs. Lewis”

Favorite band or singer? New Kids on The Block and John Mayer

Favorite song? “Leaving Heaven” by Matthew West

Favorite time of day? Either early morning (getting it all started), or that 5:00 hour when your day is winding down!

Favorite quote or verse? Verse: Esther 4:14. Quote or Family Motto: Excuses are for losers

Do you prefer cats or dogs? Dogs! I have a dog named Boris

How would you describe yourself in 3 words? Good Natured, Tenacious, Competitive.