Although she’s a mainstay on “The Real Housewives of Potomac,” Candace Dillard is often in Los Angeles as she continues to work as a recording artist.
On February 9th, the Maryland-based reality star singer, 37, was invited to sing the national anthem and perform the black national anthem “Lift Every Voice and Sing” at a Lakers game to commemorate Black History Month. it was. People who attended historically black colleges and universities.
Dillard herself, a graduate of Howard University in Washington, D.C., invited Page Six along for the ride and gave us an exclusive look at the hard work she’s putting in to prepare for this exciting career milestone. He gave it to me.
“It takes a lot of preparation,” the “Drive Back” songstress admits. “But I love that people can see what happens in her one little performance.”
Living life as a strong performer is not easy. From hiring a Grammy Award-winning songwriter to lead you through intense vocal exercises to making physical sacrifices like cutting out cheese and cocktails for weeks to keep your umbilical cord clear! — Dillard doesn’t mess around.
But, of course, there will also be fun times, such as getting something attractive and choosing what to wear. Below, the artist reveals a side of his Bravolebity that fans don’t usually get to see: his CANDIACE of the artist.
tea time
Dillard begins his performance day with a heavy dose of Throat Court Tea to ensure his pipes are in place for his consecutive a cappella performances.
“This tea has become a big part of my prep routine,” she said from inside her suite at the Kimpton Everly Hotel in Hollywood, which she often uses on trips to the City of Angels. “I have at least two glasses.”
Lounging in a Beyoncé Renaissance Tour T-shirt and refreshing her eyes with a matching purple gel patch, Dillard talks about the origins of her music career and how “RHOP” ultimately inspired her to pursue her passion. Let’s look back at what prompted this.
“When I was preparing for my wedding, I wanted to perform a song for someone. [my husband] Chris [Bassett] at our reception,” said the Georgia native, whose wedding to Bassett was featured on the first season of the unscripted series in 2018.
“It was always in my head, but at first I wanted it to be a Toni Braxton song, because she’s my sister in singing and she’s a Maryland girl,” she said. explain in detail. “Of course, by that time I was on ‘Potomac Housewives,’ and they said, ‘You can do Toni’s song, but you might not be able to perform it because it’s not really a clear song.’ Ta.”
She was then encouraged to compose an original song, and the romantic ballad “I See You” was born.
That experience ignited the musician’s passion for songwriting, and she has since released two versions of her beloved album Deep Space and currently works with the production team Triangle Park (Bebe Rexha) He is currently working on a follow-up EP with a number of notable collaborators, including . , Teyana Taylor, girlfriend).
“I’m very, very grateful for the platform I’ve been given at Bravo. They’ve supported me so much in my music career, my acting career, and just my love of expressing myself as an artist.” she raved. “They gave me the space to sit down and talk about my love for the industry.”
Still, she teases that an escape from the world of Housewives is inevitable, even if she’s still not close to fully immersing herself in showbiz.
“All good things must come to an end. I’m happy for now. I’m happy to continue sharing my life on the platform. It means so much to me as a woman, as a wife, as a daughter, as a human being. “He did a great job,” she says. “You learn a lot about yourself in this crazy space. That’s why I’m here until I get bored.”
get attractive
dillard tap Makeup artist Tisharah Wright Her clients include rap icon Saweetie, among others, to give her a winning beauty look.
“The safest thing is neutral. So neutral eyes still open my eyes, lighten my eyes, open them up,” she says, adding that she usually “doesn’t look like someone on ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race.’ He pointed out that he wanted beats that “look like they’re in it.”
The lights highlight and convey Dillard’s sparkling brown eyes and enviable frame. But the former pageant queen, who reigned as Miss United States in 2013, admits she can take care of her own beauty routine in a pinch.
“No matter what, I always take my own makeup with me. Even if I hire a real makeup artist, because I could get abducted by aliens, get lost, or just not show up.” ” she says with a laugh. “What should I do? Do your own makeup!”
Ms. Dillard said she was interested in beauty from an early age and that her love of the face-altering art was directly influenced by her mother, Dorothy Watts.
“I remember watching my mom do makeup when I was really young,” she recounts. “So it’s always been natural to me and it’s always been fun.”
vocal warm up
Next up for Dillard is a session via FaceTime with vocal coach Anthea Burchett. (Burchett is not only a pro at helping her clients open their diaphragms and reach their full potential. She has worked with countless A-listers including Justin Bieber, HER, and Beyoncé.) He is also an accomplished songwriter and producer.)
Mr. Dillard certainly values Mr. Burchett’s expertise. She coaches the “Fine Vienna” entertainer through a number of physically demanding warm-ups, including breathing exercises with squats, before his Lakers debut.
But even the simplest rituals have great results. Dillard’s favorite is the quick vibration “trill” on the tongue that improves airflow.
“I think what’s special about being a vocalist is that I have an instrument. My instrument is in my body, it’s a part of me,” she explains. “Vocalists can’t walk away from our instruments, so we have to do all the gentle exercises like trills.”
choose the perfect outfit
Dillard is never boring when it comes to fashion. With the help of her stylist Brian Adrian, she decided to wear a figure-hugging black bodysuit, paired with a pleated denim skort and thigh-high boots.
But the only question is which jacket to combine with the ensemble.
Page Six For the latest on reality TV…
A Versace jean number is on deck, but Dillard and Adrian ultimately agree that a structured black Mugler moment is the perfect fit.
“This is the look. We’re doing this!” she says of the outfit. “I love how it works on my butt. [skort]. You know my butt is getting bigger because I’m working out. ”
directions
Dillard will leave the hotel in a luxury SUV and take us to the Crypto.com Arena, where she will sing in front of approximately 20,000 basketball fans.
“I feel good. I want to keep that insecure energy about me because it’s the energy of someone who’s ready to do it. All my confidence comes at the 11th hour.” Because it’s like I can’t even think about it anymore,” she explains her pre-performance feelings.
“I can’t get attached to it anymore, so I’m excited to go ahead and do it with confidence.”
The multihyphenate’s performance comes in poignant moments. A day earlier, a statue of the late Lakers legend Kobe Bryant was unveiled outside the famous downtown venue where he spent most of his career.
“You’re definitely thinking about that when you’re singing,” she says of the NBA great’s enduring legacy.
Oh, can you sing?
It’s finally time for Dillard to show the Lakers what he’s capable of.
as the team’s star player, LeBron James, listens intently as she performs “Lift Every Voice and Sing” followed by the Star Spangled Banner, with the crowd cheering every time she hits a high note. It’s like she’s on a cloud, her voice echoing through the arena, 9.
After thunderous applause, Dillard returned to his courtside seat with a big smile on his face.
“I feel good. I’m relieved that it’s over, but I also feel like, ‘It’s over, it’s over!’ I want to do it again. But it felt good! The energy was amazing,” she says. “I heard people cheering at the end!”
But what Dillard didn’t realize was Jay Shetty, Will Ferrell, Anthony Kiedis of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, and most importantly, one of her musical idols, Kelly Rowland. There was a group of celebrities who were part of the audience, including: .
She never expected her whirlwind day to end like this. “I can’t handle it!” she screams.
Deep Space and Deep Space Deluxe are available now. “The Real Housewives of Potomac” airs Sundays at 8pm ET on Bravo.
