Podcrushed - Candice King

Episode Date: June 25, 2025

Candice King (The Vampire Diaries, The Originals, Juno, Deadgirl) joins the pod today to share about her early days in a girl group, what it was like growing up as the creative kid in a household with an engineer mom and a doctor dad, and her favorite memories from the set of The Vampire Diaries. And preorder our new book, Crushmore, here: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Crushmore/Penn-Badgley/9781668077993      Want more from Podcrushed? Follow our social channels here: Insta: https://bit.ly/PodcrushedInsta TikTok: https://bit.ly/PodcrushedTikTok  X: https://bit.ly/PodcrushedTwitter   You can follow Penn, Sophie and Nava here: Insta: https://www.instagram.com/pennbadgley/  https://www.instagram.com/scribbledbysophie/ https://www.instagram.com/nnnava/ Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@iampennbadgley  https://www.tiktok.com/@scribbledbysophie  https://www.tiktok.com/@nkavelinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lemonada My mom was an engineer and my dad was a doctor. So they luckily, like, trusted me and believed in me enough. I don't think they ever anticipated the pivot into acting. They were terrified when I mentioned that. And when I told them, like, I booked a pilot. And it's like this vampire show. They were like, hmm, this is, do you need to come home?

Like, they were very concerned. And then now, like, all these years later, I mean, I don't know. I feel like even last summer I was like, I'm filming a show. And they're like, are you? Are you okay? Do you need help? Welcome to Podcrushed. We're hosts.

I'm Penn. I'm Nava. And I'm Sophie. And I think we could have been your middle school besties. Coordinating our outfits to match our mood rings. Welcome to Podcrushed. I'm joined by my co-hosts. Navakana and Sophie Ansari.

Welcome, welcome, welcome. How are you both today? Hot. We are in the dog days of summer. Hot, H-O-T or hot H-A-W-T? Unfortunately, H-O-T, it is the dog days of summer. But I do want to know, do you guys have a summer jam, like a song that you like to listen to every summer?

I prefer strawberry, although if the toast is extra crispy, I think I like raspberry. This should be a fall song, but I really love the song September. And just that first, like, do you remember? I just start, like, around May, I start playing September. Really? Yeah. And it gets me through the summer.

Yeah. And then I think in September, I stop playing it. You're like, you have to remember. You got to remember. I got to remember. Yeah, yeah. Yeah. That's my summer jam.

The first song that came to mind when you asked that was summer breeze by Seals and Crofts. I don't know if I listened to it so much, but it always is like on the tip of my tongue. I'll sing it. The song that came to mind because I was talking. about actual jam is a song a brilliant song actually truly one of my favorite songs and if I think

about it it's like it's a very very welcome to the space jam no not at all it's Starfish and Coffee by Prince it's it's Starfish and coffee maple sip in a jam perfect wow I don't think I've ever

heard that song if I remember correctly it's on oh god what record is it on it's on It used to be my favorite, the sign of the times, I believe. Yes, it is, 1987. And it's like, it's a great song. It's a really good song. I have to look that one up.

You know, who else is great? Our guys today. Has a lot of jams. Yes, I'm sorry. International pop star, Candice King. Today we have actually an old friend of mine. Candice King, an actor you may know and love from her time planning. named Carolyn Forbes on the CW's The Vampire Diaries, as well as the originals.

And then films like Juno and Dead Girl. So she's got a new show called We Were Liars, which is streaming now on Prime. Based on a book, it's a huge success, I think. Let's be honest. We know what to call it. It was a great time having Candace back in the sphere for a bit on the pod. She's now an old friend of the pod already. love this one. Stick around.

Does anyone else ever get that nagging feeling that their dog might be bored? And do you also feel like super guilty about it? Well, one way that I combat that feeling is I'm making meal time everything it can be for my little boy, Louis. Nom Nom does this with food that actually engages your pup senses with a mix of tantalizing smells, textures, and ingredients. Nom Nom offers six recipes bursting with premium proteins, vibrant veggies and tempting textures designed to add excitement to your dog's day. Pork potluck, chicken cuisine, turkey fair, beef mash, lamb, pilaf, and turkey and chicken cookout. I mean, are you kidding me? I want to eat these recipes. Each recipe is cooked gently in small batches to seal in vital nutrients and maximize

digestibility. And their recipes are crafted by vet nutritionists. So I feel good. knowing its design with Louis' health and happiness in mind. Serve nom-nom-nom as a complete and balanced meal or is a tasty and healthy addition to your dog's current diet. My dogs are like my children, literally, which is why I'm committed to giving them only the best. Hold on. Let me start again because I've only been talking about Louis.

Louis is my bait. Louis, you might have heard him growl just now. Louis is my little baby, and I'm committed to only giving him the best. I love that Nom Nom's recipes contain wholesome nutrient-rich food, meat that looks like meat, and veggies that look like veggies because, shocker, they are. Louis has been going absolutely nuts for the Lamb-P-Laf. I have to confess that he's never had anything like it, and he cannot get enough. So he's a lamb-pee-luff guy.

Keep mealtime exciting with Nom-Num, available at your local pet-smart store or at Chewy. Learn more at trinom.com slash podcrushed, spelled trinom.com slash podcrushed. Why do we do what we do? What makes life meaningful? My name is Elise Lunin, and I'm the author of On Our Best Behavior and the host of the podcast, Pulling the Thread. I'm pulling the thread, I explore life's big questions with thought leaders who help us better understand ourselves, others, and the world around us. I hope these conversations bring you moments of resonance, hope, and growth. Listen to pulling the thread from Lemonada Media wherever you get your podcasts. So what we do here, we start at 12 years old, because we believe it's a really special, special time of life.

You know, it's the formative years in so many ways for so many reasons. So just give us a sense of who you were at 12 years, how you were seeing the world and what was dated. day life like at 12 I was I'm like that's middle school right yes I had a girl group and we were named girl zone you mean like a girl singing group yep we were in multiple years into the group and we would perform at the like convention center during like anywhere that my my mother or my vocal coach could slide us in. And, you know, just my whole life was music. So, I mean, I guess at 12, I was, like, taking dance classes and I was out of my competitive

cheerleading phase, which I'm sure my mother was very happy about. And I was just, yeah, really focused on becoming an international pop star. One girl's own rehearsal at a time. Wow. Did you enjoy Girlzone? Like, was, did it feel like the dream come true? or was it, like, really hard work? It was, it was very hard work.

We were doing cover songs of the Spice Girls and, but also, like, some throwbacks, you know, like, singing like lollipop, you know, like, different, it was, we were mixed genres. I'm no, it was a very, like, funny thing. Like, I desperately want to get my hands on these videos of me as a kid. Yeah, you have to. I know. We would. You don't feel like you would just, you know, cringe and die?

I would, but also, like, that's, I, I cringe and die more at, like, my, like, like, 19, like, the years that I would have, like, known you is my cringe and die years. Like, 12, I give her a lot of grace. Oh, that's sweet. That's nice. Yeah. Can't relate. But I know, I was really, like, happy. Like, I was, we would perform at, like, all these cheesy places, and I was just constantly, like, singing and dancing and just, and, you know,

I'm like, what was that? This was post, you know, millennium. The music was so great. Like, these were some solid, fun years. I didn't have braces yet. I think I had a Herps appliance, which I don't know if anyone ever had one of those. Is it the head? It's like internal headgear.

So it's like a hinge of metal inside your mouth to help realign your bite. So if I, like, yawned too big in class, my mouth could get, like, stuck open like oh my god so yeah you know she just was a 12 year old Floridian in her group girl's own just trying not to sing or yawn too loudly and taking life one day at a time

you know it makes sense because in Florida I feel like so much of the pot there's like Mandy Moore backstreet boys and sink all of this stuff was kind of coming out of Florida right Lou Pearlman that was kind of his like terrain but looking into you and your family if the internet is to be trusted it sounds like you're

That is a thoracic heart surgeon. Your mom was like an environmental engineer. And I'm curious how they felt about like a budding performer Candace. Yes. My mom worked for many years as an environmental engineer and then shifted to be a stay-at-home mom when my brother was born. And my dad is still, he says he's retiring this year. We have yet to see it.

But he's a cardiovascular surgeon. So, you know, he like actually saves lives. So whenever I'm like, you know, this is this is not that high stress. Yeah. I can get through today. I'm like, his job is actually stressful. For both of them, they grew up in the Midwest. Neither of them, you know, for what my mom went on to do in the 80s and not only like pay her way through college and also help support my dad as he was paying his way through medical school, like their version of becoming a singer or a pop star was the fact that my mom was an engineer and my dad was a doctor. So they were supportive from. day one, and are still that way. I'm very, very grateful. Sweet. Yeah. So they, it wasn't, I know, I always look back and I go, that's really cool. Of course, there are different things where I'm like, wow, they were really true. It was a different time, you know, like I moved to L.A. when I was 16. I was like, alone. Very young. My mom came

with me and then started traveling back and forth until I was 18. But I mean, I was a kid in a very adult business. But they luckily, like, trusted me and believed in me enough. I don't think they ever anticipated the pivot into acting. They were terrified when I mentioned that. And when I told them, like, I booked a pilot. And it's like this vampire show. They were like, hmm, this is, do you need to come home? Like, they were very concerned. And then now, like, all these years later, I mean, I don't know. I feel like even last summer, I was like, I'm filming a show. show. And they're like, are you, are you okay? Do you need help? And I'm like, no, but it's with Julie. They're like, oh, okay. They know Julie. They're like,

now, okay, our baby girl's fine. She's fine. I heard you say as an adult, you feel like the mom of your friend group sometimes. And I was curious if that has any, like, did you see seeds of that in your middle school self as well? Is that showing up? Um, I think, I mean, I, the only way that might show up is I feel like people usually, I would travel with my parents a lot as a kid. So I was very young in a lot of like very grown up places in the sense that it'd be like nice dinners and nice meals. And I'd usually kind of be left to myself to like, you know, I'd shake hands, but I found it all to be quite boring. So I'd usually if we were at like a restaurant that had a piano player, I would go and like ask the piano player to like, hey, play the song

so I can sing or it's like, hey, bartender, give me another Shirley Temple. So, you know, everyone gave the, like, you're very mature for your age. But I guess the mom in the friend group is also just a little bit now I'm thinking probably from being, even though Florida isn't the South, but like I am still like the person who plans the itinerary. Like earlier this morning, I was already on the phone with the hotel that I'm going to for the wedding this weekend just to confirm like what is close by. I've already emailed my friend's wedding planner just to check on the itinerary of the shuttle service.

Like, I'm type A in that way that, yes, I can kind of mom people a little bit. I'm very concerned about everyone wearing sunscreen, you know, stuff like that. I am the youngest daughter in my family, and I've been seeing now a lot about eldest daughters of youngest daughters, what that's like to be, to have to be the eldest daughter of someone who was not at all type A, was taking care of their whole life. And I'm so scared for my, for my daughter. I feel so bad for what her life is going to be like. Oh, she's got it. I know it is. The birth order thing is very funny. I see it so clearly. And my daughters and then their older sisters who I've known since they were seven and nine, you know, the oldest would always be there on time, like always like

check before she leaps. And whereas like the younger one would just like leap off the monkey bars and expect someone to be there to catch her and more often than not someone would show up to get someone was there. One of us was there. And I even see that with my nine-year-old and my four-year-old now where I'm just like, oh yeah, she is just leaping off the stairs. And we all, it is very funny. But yes, I'm like a very typical eldest child that, you know, kind of takes care of a lot of things. Yeah. That makes me curious about your your little brother and your relationship with him. And this is maybe like a, I don't know if it's a weird question, but I've never asked anyone before. But I'm curious, was he ever embarrassed when you went into performing? Like I can just picture a little brother being like, oh my God, this is so weird that my sister's doing this. And I'm wondering if there was any of that. Yeah, I think probably there might be some of that. You know, we are two very, very different people. And we've had to very very. different kind of, you know, walks through life. And, and so I think it is, I think it's, I think it's, I think it is difficult when you have someone in the family that is more visible publicly. And I think it could

be, I mean, I see it even with my own kids now. You know, sometimes it's like, oh, this is cool and fun and fun. And we get to do this really fun activity. But, you know, and then other times it just feels like a lot, I guess. So I would imagine it felt like that for him. But I don't know. Yeah, family dynamics, man. You know, my four-year-old says when people, because, you know, I'm going through a phase where, you know, in New York City, and I'm quite recognized what does happen quite a lot. And, you know, I'm with him all the time outside. And so that is a really interesting management thing for life that we'll learn about um but one of the in the last six months he's just started to you know become more vocal in general obviously and he's just like noticing things

and i remember i can't remember exactly when it was like it might have been as many as six months ago and developmentally at this age that's like a lifetime but he but somebody had come up taken a picture and I had been in the habit of saying well those are friends I would try to ask them their name and and and he would ask who they are and I'd be like well that was um Chris and a man and then and then I stopped doing that after walk but it was like I think it just it seemed maybe disingenuous or something but then he just you know people often say like oh I love you you know which you think

about it is like to a child they're yeah love you and then I remember we're walking in the stroller, and he just goes, why do people love you so much? And I don't remember what I said, but I just thought, man, this is going to be really interesting as we progress. Yeah, it is an interesting dance. I know I've definitely gotten, you know, she'll ask, like, well, why doesn't anyone want to? So my nine-year-old got to be in an episode of, like, the Vampire Diaries trilogy. So the third and final spinoff was called Legacies.

And my character was still alive, and I got to go back and be part of the final, final episode. And part of this spinoff is, if you don't watch the show, my character was pregnant in the Vampire Diaries and gave birth two twins. And so this final show, The Legacies, is about these twins and other kids from the other shows that all go to this magical school. And so I got to go and, like, be a part of the final episode of it. And I asked, like, you know, our writers and producers who I'm also dear friends with at this point, if my nine-year-old could come be in it because, you know, Julie Pleck always likes to joke that, you know, Candice had a baby and I got a spin-off. This was, like, the gift we gave each other. And so she got to go be in it. So she's in, like, one of the final shots of the show, you know, because she was the whole reason that they even wrote twin babies because I threw them for a looping, like, surprise.

I'm pregnant. Oh my gosh, that is crazy. Yes. So, but she gets upset when we're out, and she's like, do they not recognize me from legacies? She's like, Mom, I got paid. Like, they, I was in the show. I'm the reason for it.

I'm the whole reason for it. That is so funny. Yeah. No, it's like, I think they're too intimidated, babe. That's why. Candace, you're here in part to promote a show called We Were Liars. And it made me curious, what is the craziest lie, if you recall, that you ever told in middle school or high school that you got caught telling? Oh, God.

I'm like, what to them? I'm trying to think, in high school or middle school. I know I definitely, like, I feel like lying to my dad. I think there was a night that I was, like, coming home from a party. And, like, I had a friend who was, like, a very big track runner. So she was always designated driver, which turned out great for irresponsible little old me. And so she was driving home, and I was already supposed to be home. And, like, my dad was literally driving in front of us.

And I think I had her, like, parks so we could, like, sneak into the house as if he didn't see. And I pretended to be sleeping. But a lot of, like, yeah, I'm just a, you know, Kim's house down the street. Oh, I think, oh, I know one. My parents were selling their house, and I remember after prom one year, my friends and I, we didn't even have a party. We weren't even cool enough to get invited like a party, but the three of us like went back to my parents' house and like stayed there. And we were after, it was empty.

Yeah, empty house. And now I look back being like, I wonder if they sold it. And like people were like the fact that no one just like walked in to like move their stuff in. I was pretty good back in my Florida days. It was really, things got a little spicy. but when I got to L.A. But it was still very fun. I was pretty good as a teenager.

That's cute. That is literally a storyline from the summer I turned pretty. They go after the house is sold. Yeah. And they stay in the house. Yeah. They took that from you. Because they did.

They knew this long journey of, yeah, all these years later, my secrets out. Burthing giant series everywhere you go. Yeah. Yeah. You know, just one baby. and lie to time, yep. I am curious. This is either,

it's possibly a very bad, dumb question. And you may have been asked it a lot. But having spent so much time on a series where you're playing a vampire, you know, I know just as well as anybody, after a while, you're not thinking about it necessarily so deeply, but surely over the years,

what do you feel like the archetype of the vampire is a medicare on or what was it for you like what did it what did it mean to be playing you know because I mean like a vampire archetype is something that clearly means so much to people in certain ways and I'm just curious like did you a did you have any of that did you care about vampires before that and then B what did you start to think about vampires once you had to like dig into that I mean at that point I was like vampires mean job security um no it was like they were everywhere yes every question

question in season one was but why vampires um and i i mean and i think the answer is still true to this day i think they're sexy and they don't like you know they're they're ageless they're meant to be mysterious like it's obvious in the physical act of like you know it's obviously like more of like a dominating person and a submissive person there's like the physical act of like teeth and skin um so i you know it's a very sexy genre um and And I had never been much of a person that watched vampire shows. I watched, like, the original Buffy, The Vampire Slayer, like, the movie, but I never watched the show. And, but after all these years, I still, I mean, I love that people love.

Luckily, I got to play, like, a new vampire, so it was very fun. I, you know, I am grateful looking back because even then when I would get at, you know, working on a show for eight years. Penn, you know, we were 22, 23 episodes a season. So it was every week, it was your whole life. And you play the same character and you're in the same sets. And it's great because it does start to feel like the cadence of it becomes the job, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. But it can be, you know, a little boring for some, I'm sure.

I never felt bored. You know, we got to do stunts and people got to do. flashbacks and and we um we just it was always just a lot of really fun like like what's going to happen at work today and we had wolves at one point that was scary the wolves was a whole other thing you had actual wolves they didn't last very long yes there were some but uh yes going to work one day and you just hear like ow oh pulling up to the trailers being like oh god and it's like I just remember they had like a, like a fence behind the whole camera crew, like an electric fence. And then I was supposed to be in a jail.

And of course, it's a prop. So everything's made of like plastic and styrofoam. And then they like bring in the wolf and they're like, and I'm supposed to be behind it with like the wolf snapping and growling at me. And they're like with like meat and it's like hungry. And they're like just, okay, so we're going to get this real fast. Just, you know, you're real scared. I was like, we are past the acting now. This is just, this is who we are.

This is a documentary, so just roll the tape. That's one of those, the inconsistencies of our industry where actors can be coddled beyond all reason. You know, they like won't let you do something. It's like, guys, I'm stepping off of a chair. Okay, I'm stepping off of a chair. I don't get required to, you know, whatever. But then something like that will happen.

You realize, like, I'm in a form? of mortal danger. And it's just, and now act, okay. Oh, yeah. Oh, we had explosions and burning of everything. We had things all the time. We car crashes and so it was never,

it definitely wasn't boring. So while I might not have like gone into filming the vampire diaries being a vampire genre fan, I truly look back on those years as some of my favorite. And I know that I'm like, That's the top. I mean, we were like a whole family. It was really fun and special. Stick around.

We'll be right back. One of the biggest changes I've made in my 30s is taking my health seriously. I've started paying attention to how my body actually feels every day, right? Right? Because you have to, especially into your later 30s, you know, you just start to feel things that you didn't feel before. One thing that I've got now,

that is never going to change is probably my gut. It plays a huge role in everything, my energy, my mood, and my immunity. You know, whether I'm not I'm going to get sick or catch one of the colds from one of my little children. And I know I'm not alone. Two out of three Americans say they suffer from digestive issues and 95% of Americans don't get the daily recommended amount of fiber.

That is a lot of Americans. Olipop is tackling both of these issues with a drink that tastes just like soda. Olipop has nine grams of prebiotic fiber. It's a very good thing in every can that can help support your digestive health. They've even conducted a study that showed that their OliSmart formulation boosts beneficial gut bacteria and generates metabolites supporting digestive and overall health. The short of the long is that when you drink this thing, it feels really good, not only tasting good.

So Oli Pop comes in a lot of delicious nostalgic flavors, like they've got vintage cola. sort of like a classic cola, classic root beer, orange squeeze, classic grape, strawberry vanilla, cream soda, and cherry cola. My personal favorites are the classic root beer and the cream soda. It's, you know, I can't, I can't describe it. They just, they have this incredibly rich, sweet flavor. I mean, honestly, it's kind of hard to believe that it's something that's good for you, that's healthy. but, you know, I'm attuned to my body. I've been sober for a long time. I feel when something is good,

and this stuff feels and tastes really good. Get a free can of olipop by any two cans of olipop in store and we'll pay you back for one. Works on any flavor, any retailer. Drinkolipop.com slash podcrushed. Olipop is sold online at drinkolipop.com and Amazon and available in almost 50,000 retailers nationwide,

including Costco, Walmart, Target, Publix, Whole Foods, Kroger, and H.E.B. Have you ever used a website platform and given up because you couldn't get the site to look how you wanted? Well, call me a nerd, but I have. I definitely have. Some platforms have very strict templates where you can't break the mold. Quite literally, wicks.com gives you the freedom to build exactly the site you want for any business idea. Wix puts incredible website creation at your fingertips with their AI site builder. You answer a few questions and get a personalized business ready site very fast.

Do you prefer to start from a template? Well, I'm glad to hear that. Wix offers over 2,000 designer-made templates that are fully customizable and come with out-of-the-box business functionality. The Wix.com interface is super easy and fun. It's all drag and drop. There's an amazing AI image studio and tons of really, really great creative. design effects. If you're looking to sell products or services, schedule appointments, any of that kind of stuff, Wix.com also has you covered with built-in solutions, no add-ons required. Wix has been pioneering in website tech for almost 20 years now. These guys seriously understand web design

and what it takes to run your own business. Ready to create your own website? Go to Wix.com. That's Wix.com to start building your website today. Thanks to Wix for sponsoring our show. all right so um let's just let's just let's just real talk as they say for a second that's a little bit of an aged thing to say now that that that dates me doesn't it um but no real talk uh how important is your health to you know on like a one to ten and i don't mean the in the sense of vanity i mean in the sense of like you want your day to go well right you want to be less stressed you don't want to get sick when you have responsibilities um i know myself i'm a householder i have uh i have two children and two more on the way a spouse a pet you know a job that sometimes has its demands so i

really want to feel like when i'm not getting the sleep and i'm not getting nutrition when my eating's down i want to know that i'm that i'm being held down some other way physically you know my family holds me down emotionally spiritually but i need something to hold me down physically right and so honestly i turn to symbiotica these these these these these vitamins and these beautiful little packets that they taste delicious and I'm telling you even before I started doing ads for these guys it was a product that I really really liked and enjoyed and could see the differences with

the three that I use I use I use the what is it called liposomal vitamin C and it tastes delicious like really really good comes out in the packet you put it right in your mouth some people don't do that I do it I think it tastes great I use the liposomal glutathione as well in the morning really good for gut health and although I don't need it you know anti-aging and then I also use the magnesium L3 and 8 which is really good for for I think mood and stress I sometimes use it in the

morning sometimes use it at night all three of these things taste incredible um honestly you don't even need to mix it with water uh and yeah I just couldn't recommend them highly enough if you want to try them out go to symbiotica.com slash podcrush for 20% off plus free shipping That's symbiotica.com slash podcrushed for 20% off plus free shipping. We're definitely going to come back to the vampire diaries, but we do have a few more questions we want to ask you about middle school. And also we want to ask you about your sort of foray into pop stardom. But we have a couple of classic questions that we ask everyone. I want to know about your first big crush or infatuation or puppy love and your first heartbreak.

Yes. Well, real life, I mean, before real life, it was Jonathan Taylor Thomas. Of course, JTT. Oh my God, Devin Sawa. I still think about Casper sometimes. I was actually thinking about it three days ago, that ending. I mean, I think it was everyone's sexual awakening at that point. Like, who knew that a ghost could be?

I mean, screw vampires. We need to talk about cartoon ghosts. Exactly. For Christina Ritchie in that? Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. And she got to kiss him twice.

Yeah. She got to kiss him in that. And she got to kiss them And now and then And we all slowed down now and then inappropriately when they were running in their towels Did we not? Ladies, I'm all right

For sure Yeah That's it That's if you know you know And if you don't know Don't ask Because it sounds really creepy Coming out of my mouth

At this age Well no technically They were older men then for you Then yes Then it was like They were older Now Please be mindful

How this conversation is presented. But yeah, that was like my first, like, celebrity crush. And then my first real crush was a kid named Nick Cholka. And it was first grade. And I, like, drew a heart around his picture. And I showed him in the yearbook. And it did not go well because he was in first grade.

And that's very scary. Like a six or seven-year-old boy being like, I don't know. But I was always boy crazy as a kid. Yeah. And first heartbreak I'm like Probably like I had a boyfriend

Like my first little boyfriend When I was like in sixth grade Charlie Bales I always loved the double name Like what was your double name Boyfriend girlfriend person From like I love a good double name In middle school

You mean like the name has to be two first names Yeah or you never just say like one name You say like the whole name I think I only have one of those And it was just the first the first and only. It's a Kayla Peterson. That's a great double name.

Yeah, that's a good one. That's like from a movie. My first crush was a boy named Jan Carlos Ortega. Yeah. Also amazing. The one that comes to mind is Nathan Hewney. Which is not a good. It's kind of like,

it's kind of like, eh. But he was like the kid, you know, we've talked about this before. Like there's these boys that are just very regular, but somehow they've very, attracted all of the girls, that was Nathan Heuny. He had the vibe. Yeah.

As the kids say these days. Yeah. Yeah. Our other question that we ask everybody is if you have any embarrassing stories from that time, from adolescence. Oh, God. I feel like my whole adolescence was embarrassing, even though it was. I don't know.

I feel like I should. I know. my daughter last night was asking me for like embarrassing stories um she was saying so you're saying we have the same interests as you're not yes yeah yeah she also eats at a mommy that's already been eaten by other people without realizing it so a lot of same same synchronities oh man i feel like i need to do like there's got to be something you know those people that just like remember everything from their childhood like i i really feel like i need to go back. And I know one embarrassing thing that I used to do, oh, as I roll my eyes, but I used to watch,

like TV, I still joke is my best friend. Like, I love TV. And I loved it as a kid, too. And I used to, like, steal things that I'd see from TV shows and, like, say it in real life. Like, I still, like, my first kiss, I saw, like, on 7th Heaven, like, Simon, like, counted down, like, three, two, like, Whatever Simon said for his first kiss in seventh heaven, I 100% in sixth grade, like, said word for word, like, during my first kiss. I think I even stole, like, something from, like, the family man, like the Nick Cage movie that's very, like, just random weird things where I'd be like, oh, I'm going to slip in this line. They'll never know, and they'll think I'm so interesting and cool. So that feels embarrassing. It's also very endearing.

I don't think it worked. No, that's very sweet. Yeah. You know, just prepping for what my career was to become, you know? Yeah, it does actually sound like you were in love with movies and TV. I mean, you know. TV, for sure. Don't bring me to a movie trivia.

I'm terrible. But TV, I'll crush. So, so, like, to get from Florida 12, 13, 14, you know, you're pursuing this pop music career. and you've very no and I mean it was like I think it sounds like it was serious yeah right and so you know you're pursuing it like did you want to go to L.A. and and when did you finally do that? Yeah I was I was I did everything I could make again my parents were very supportive so I made this demo and they sent my dad very sweetly you know would send it to anyone he knew so if he went on a medical meeting and found out that someone's brother's uncle's nephew worked as

like a record label, he would send it my demo to them. Sweet. And my, very sweet. And my demo got sent to basically someone at DreamWorks that might have ended even up in the trash and an accountant picked it up, an accountant slash, you know, manager. But he was actually contacted my parents and got, was like the perfect person that connected me from point A to point B. And I got to work with a wonderful person named Sandy Robertson.

And Sandy managed all, like, the top writers and producers of the time and actually signed me to a development deal. And I was just then turning 16. So that was my first, like, all right, my parents said, we'll go to L.A. for a couple of months. And I had the opportunity to write with the Matrix, who were huge at the time. Like, anyone who was writing, like, all the hits on the radio, I was able to get in the room with them. And it was such a gift. And so I made a demo and another demo and Sandy brought me around to a few labels and I got signed. So within six months of kind of this trial period of being in L.A., I got signed to Maverick Records.

And my parents were like, all right, I guess we're doing it. I got a record deal and a publishing deal all before my 17th birthday. Wow. Wow. Did it feel like, okay, this is what I want to do forever? Like, did it, how did it feel at the time? Was it exciting or stressful? It was so exciting. And again, like, you know, kind of what we were speaking to before Penn, like, when you're there in L.A., especially at that time, everyone was like, it was, anyone I knew was just, like, working. You could go down to, like, the Oak Woods and it's like the Duffs are there in between, you know, you see Hillary or Haley Duff. You would go, you know, my first boyfriend was like, what was acting on seventh heaven at the time, full circle, very funny. And then, you know, and I was like friends with Brittany. And so I'd go to her. her set when she's, everyone was just like living this dream version of their life. And so when that happened, I definitely was like, this is it. And then I would get a very big crash course in the music industry, of course. And this was when a lot of things were changing as far as like financially

within the industry and streaming, you know, with with iPods. And so, you know, my story is not unique in the sense that I got, I got there, I got signed. And then by the time my record was made, You know, there wasn't a lot of traction within the label that they keep the record. And, you know, by the time I'm 18, I get dropped. And it was devastating. But I also learned at that time, you know, well, what if maybe this isn't what I meant to do? What if there's something else I'm supposed to do? And I had auditioned a little bit with acting, but I didn't even know if that was my career trajectory.

It really was after I ended up working as a backup singer for a year. So I went on tour as a backup singer, and it was for Miley Cyrus when she was doing the best of both worlds and a Montana tour. And I went, oh, that's an international pop star. I get it now. Like, that makes sense. Like, I got to live out my pop star dreams and, like, be on a stage in stadiums and, like, sold out. crowds and it didn't need to be for me. And it was just the coolest thing ever. And by the time I got back, I was like, I think I'm going to give this acting thing a try. You know, TV's my best friend.

I love it. That'd be so cool to be on one of those like WB shows and then crazy enough. Candice, I listened to your episode. You have a podcast called Super Bloom and I listen to your episode with Bonnie McKee. And I really appreciate it. I mean, I felt like you were both really open, really vulnerable. And there was a moment in the conversation when you talked about how you've kind of struggled, particularly in L.A. with this feeling of like everybody's sizing you up for like your social value, your social currency, and how you've had to have these conversations with yourself of like the moment when when like you do get something kind of having to like have a reckoning with your ego, but also like not not appraising yourself or apprising

yourself for what someone else, who someone else thinks you are. And I was just a little bit curious, like, how that journey is going for you. Very well. I think this industry can keep everyone pretty humble if you let in it. And also, I think it's, you know, I love visiting L.A. You know, as I got older and had kids, I just didn't feel like that was, you know, where I needed to be, even though I respect and love that as an industry town. A huge part of that I think also comes from the fact that the most success I ever found was in Atlanta, Georgia. And so it wasn't a flashy existence. You know, we weren't filming down there.

And, you know, there wasn't this, like, red carpet aura of, like, life down there. It was, we were, we would all film until, you know, we'd always have Fratterdays, which is like a late Friday night into Saturday morning. And collectively as a cast and. and a crew most Fridays. We'd all be like, can we all be done so we can go like to our favorite wine bar? And we hung out every single weekend. And I'm still close with a lot of those crew members and cast members. And so the job was the job. And it was just like a cherry on top that people even watched it. And but it also gave me like my, you know, first feeling of like in adulthood,

like a job that let me feel like breathe financially for a bit like and have like consistent rent. And like those were the successes and the big wins. And I think now it's just like I love the job. I loved even last summer being back on a set. It had been a minute. And I loved being out like three in the morning on a dock that would not stop rocking. And I'm in heels and it's very, very cold. And we're just trying to get the shot. But it's, I just, there's something magical about a group of people who collectively come together to make a thing and you all need each other to make it. And so, like, once I figured all of that out

and with age and, you know, the other stuff is just, it's just fun. It's fun to celebrate the things, but I also know, like, that's not the end all, be all. Like, I, you know, like having my, being able, like, pick up my kids from school and do fun things with them and also them get to see Mommy, like, work, like, on a set,

I think that those are all. wins, but all the other stuff is just like, you know, the silly fun stuff. Can you tell I'm too caffeinated today? I'm sorry. I'm just like, are we in therapy? It's my therapist on this call. Geez, Louise. Feel free to stop us, you know, if you feel like we're doing too deep. No, I'm just like I talk a lot. Yes. It's great. We have guests sometimes who talk way more. Yeah. Way more. You know. So I think we're hitting the sweet. spot, don't worry about it. Thank you. Thank you. I've been working on it with my therapist, so it's great. It's going well. And we'll be right back. The first few weeks of school are in the books, and now's the time to

keep that momentum going. I-XL helps kids stay confident and ahead of the curve. I-XL is an award-winning online learning platform that helps kids truly understand what they're learning, whether they're brushing up on math or diving into social studies. It covers math, language arts, science, and social studies from pre-k through 12th grade with content that's engaging, personalized, and yes, actually fun. It's the perfect tool to keep learning going without making it feel like school. I actually used I Excel quite a bit when I was teaching fifth grade. I used it for my students to give like extra problems for practice or sometimes I also used it to just check on what the standards were in my state for any given topic in math or reading or writing. It's just a helpful

tool all around for teachers, for parents, for students. I honestly do love it. Studies have shown that kids who use I-XL score higher on tests. This has been proven in almost every state in the U.S. So if your child is struggling, this is a smart investment that you can make in their learning. a single hour of tutoring costs more than a month of I-XL. Don't miss out. One in four students in the U.S. are learning with I-XL, and I-XL is used in 96 of the top 100 school districts in the U.S. Make an impact on your child's learning.

Get I-XL now. And Podcrush listeners can get an exclusive 20% off IXL memberships when they sign up today at IXL.com slash podcrushed. Visit IXL.com slash podcrush to get the most effective learning program out there at the best price. As the seasons change, it's the perfect time to learn something new. Whether you're getting back into a routine after summer or looking for a new challenge before the year ends,

Rosetta Stone makes it easy to turn a few minutes a day into real language progress. Rosetta Stone is the trusted leader in language learning for over 30 years. Their immersive, intuitive method helps you naturally absorb and retain your new language on desktop or mobile, whenever and wherever it fits your schedule. Rosetta Stone immerses you in your new language naturally, helping you think and communicate with confidence. There are no English translation, so you truly learn to speak, listen, and think in your chosen language.

The other day, I was actually at the grocery store, and I asked one of the people working there if they could help me find a specific item, and she was like, sorry, I actually don't speak English. she only spoke Spanish and I was like if only I my Spanish was good enough to be able to have this conversation in Spanish we would be sorted and that's where Rosetta Stone comes in I really need to get back on my Rosetta Stone grind with 30 years of experience millions of users and 25 languages to choose from including Spanish French German Japanese and more Rosetta Stone is the

go-to tool for real language growth a lifetime membership gives you access to all 25 languages so you can learn as many as you want whenever you want. Don't wait. Unlock your language learning potential now. Podcrush listeners can grab Rosetta Stone's lifetime membership for 50% off. That's unlimited access to 25 language courses for life. Visit rosettastone.com slash podcrush to get started and claim your 50% off today. Don't miss out. Go to rosettastone.com slash podcrush and start learning today. Fall is in full swing and it's the perfect time to refresh your wardrobe with pieces that feel as good as they look. Luckily, Quince makes it easy to look polished, stay warm, and save big without compromising on quality. Quince has all the elevated essentials for fall. Think 100%

mongoling cashmere from $50. That's right, $50. Washable silk tops and skirts, and perfectly tailored denim, all at prices that feel too good to be true. I am currently eyeing their silk mini skirt. I have been dying for a silk miniskirt. I've been dying for a silk miniskirt. I've been looking everywhere at thrift stores, just like all over town. But I just saw that Quince has one on their website. It is exactly what I've been looking for. So I'm just going to click, put that in my cart. By partnering directly with ethical top tier factories, Quince cuts out the middlemen to deliver luxury quality pieces at half the price of similar brands. It's the kind of wardrobe upgrade that feels smart, stylish, and effortless. Keep it classic and cozy

this fall with long lasting staples from Quince. Go to quince.com slash podcrushed for free shipping on your order and 365 day returns. That's Q-U-I-N-C-E.com slash podcrushed to get free shipping and 365 day returns. Quince.com slash podcrushed. Well, why don't we talk about the vampire diaries? I mean, you know, we did get into it a little bit, but who was your favorite scene partner to film with? Oh, it changed all the time. Michael Trevino who played Tyler is like my brother and so we would always it was always so fun until we had to make out

and then it got weird like Penn do you you guys were all together for a long time did you all have to I made out with everybody like and as the years go on it progressively gets weirder because you all know each other so well you know I feel

I feel differently about it now where I wouldn't want to spend a series doing that but in my 20s and just because it was the job I have to say it was like that was the it

it was I suppose it's so weird that you just make it not weird and then it's not weird you know that was kind of my experience of it is like all right well it's what we all do right

I simply cannot imagine like I'm trying as you guys are talking I've actually never really let myself think about this but I'm trying to imagine what I would do If I was just like plopped onto a set and had to kiss somebody, I literally cannot imagine.

But here's the thing. With a stranger. Yes, with a stranger though. All right. It's weird. No, yeah, with a friend. But with a friend that you know that you like know and you like know their person or their partner. Like it's a very, you know, it's that was the, that was very, we still laugh about that.

And then, but everyone, you know, luckily we all got to work together and have a lot of fun. Paul Wesley, who plays, um, Stefan, um, it's just like my, everyone would always joke that we argue like an old married couple. And we're just very like, he's like an old grumpy man. And I'm just like, you know, a glittery, like, be happy. You know, just trying to. Yeah. Shake him into joy. And so we, uh, we, but we had a lot of fun together. Yeah, and we get to see each other all the time because we do all these, like, conventions and stuff, which is so fun. But one of the main reasons why I'm still holding out on my nine-year-old watching the show is because I'm like, Mommy kisses a lot of boys. Fair.

And she's like, it's not like you don't have your clothes on. I was like, well. Sometimes it's that too, yeah. Sometimes we love me, but it's, yeah. The other times where I rip open his neck? Mm-hmm. Yeah, the violence Almost all of his blood

I know I know I mean he wasn't at the time but you met your fiancé on set true right? Is that true? No, that's what's so funny So we never worked together Stephen was on

My fiancé Stephen was on the originals Which is the spinoff of Vampire Diaries So we know all the same people We literally lived on the same street. We had so many shared experiences. And literally, it was a couple of years ago, I was at a con – we had all traveled for a convention, and someone was like, oh, yeah, crew – everyone calls him Kruger. The Kruger is coming to dinner.

And I was like, who? And they came, and I was like, oh, my God, it's the guy from Yellow Jackets. And because I've been watching that. And everyone was like, no, you know him. Like, he worked in – no idea. And we didn't even, like, hang out or anything like that. But it wasn't until, like, you know, the following year, we sat next to each other to dinner and actually got to know each other because we actually had never really talked. He likes to say that I just don't remember meeting him a few times.

But I think he's just... Sounds like that might be the case. I mean... Which is better for you. I don't know. Yeah, all part of my master plan. Yeah. The long, long, long, long, long game.

Yeah. That's really sweet. That's so cool that you guys share that history without really sharing that history. It's actually a bit like Adam Brody and Leighton Meester. They're from like the Jeffs Stephanie Savage Universe, you know, the O.C. And they never work together. It's so, yeah, it's a bizarre. Well, I think now, I feel like it's in the, but like in the days when you're in those experience.

Yeah, it's very, it is very, very funny. Yeah, I just, you know, we, we obviously were very deep in our own lives and, you know, or past relationships and had very much our blinders on. And so it, I, you know, I truly described, like, sitting, I'd even, like, met him at that one thing and then like, oh, that's that guy. And it was just this weird feeling of, like, sitting next room at dinner, like a year later. And it's like the lights turned on. And I was like, huh, that's interesting. Sweet. Can you see yourselves working together in the future on any projects?

I think it'd be so fun. I admire couples that are able to work together. You know, I've never done anything like that, but I think it would be really, really fun. We'll see. I mean, there's a lot of life and creative to be had. But, yeah. We'll see. Right now we're working on 100.

year old house that I got. Yes, I made the decision to buy a hundred year old house about like a little over two years ago. And so I roped him into that where I'm like, if you think I'm a lot to handle, wait until you move into it with my hundred year old house. I've heard isn't, isn't renovating a home? It's like one of the top, you know, there's like moving cities or moving countries. There's like renovating a home. I feel like it's one of the top five things. that came, going to IKEA is probably another. Yes. Causes issues in a couple.

That's amazing. Being married. Being married. Having children breathing next to each other in bed without, you know, at the right, at the right volume. Yes, all of these things collectively are equally stressful. But yes, we've been navigating it quite, strong, quite strong is what I would call it. Good.

Amazing. Do you feel like, you know, I happen to, my wife is not an actor. And I realized she was the first person I was with who wasn't because, you know, in your world, you meet people in your world. And that's, you're with, right? And I actually very much appreciate that she's not because it's like it's sort of a lifeline and a tether to a world outside of that world. But then I also know that the same thing can be true is like there's such a unique, You know, what an actor does is a strange and particular and unique thing. And I wonder if you, I don't know, you know, if you have past partners who have been actors or what,

but like, do you find that there's a unique bond there where it's like you really know, especially because you aren't just actors, but you came from the same, like, what would you call it now? Would you call it a franchise? What would you call it? Yeah, I always call it like a trilogy, but I don't think that's the right. Word. Oh, that's probably, that's about it. Saga.

No. Yes. But, you know, you come so much from the same experience. Is that something that you kind of cherish together? Or is it something that you, I don't know, that you don't even really talk about? No, we definitely talk about. We talk about it a lot. I don't think either of us, you know, in the sense that neither of us really anticipated on,

um, entering into a long-term relationship with someone else in this industry, primarily because of its unpredictability, you know, we're both pretty logical people, which is, feels very illogical to be in this business most days. There's a lot, we both grew up in Florida. Our families are very similar. And he actually was on track to becoming, um, a lawyer and, like, took the LSATs and, um, but this was something that he's like, I'm just going to give it a shot. Like, this was my, this is his passion. And, um, and, um, and so he applied all of his work. ethic to, you know, making his passion, his life, which is much more romantic than I think any of my descriptions of falling into this business and falling in love with it. But I, so it wasn't,

I think, intentional for either of us. And now we've kind of found us and ourselves in this conundrum of like, here we are two people in this industry. But we both look at it as like, you know, a job, a fun job, one that we love very much, but also a job and that, you know, family and friends and our quality of life together in the sense of like cooking together and board games and like what does the long game look like

is what we both value so I know I definitely didn't is your wife a doula in my thing is that correct that is correct I love it's a dula I feel like I was a doula in another life

I each time I've been pregnant I just I'm obsessed with pregnancy. Like if you were to look when I was pregnant, both times, if you would have looked on my like YouTube pages or any sort of, like, you would have thought I was in some weird stuff. Like women, self-birthing

in kitchen. And I'd just be like, wow, what a badass. But I love doulas so much. They're incredible. They're angels. And she is particularly, like, doulas are amazing. And then Domino is on another level.

too, just as a person. So then her as a do-like... She belongs to a class of duos where, like, you know, some duplers are so experienced that they're, they're, like, closer to a midwife, you know, but then they have the bedside manner of, like, a therapist

and it's slash, like, an acupuncturist masseuse, you know? It's like they... So, you know, I have learned more about birth and about its implications, you know? Like, then I ever... thought I would. And so I feel you. I mean, it's, you know, it's like you kind of, it's almost like as deep as you want to take it, it goes there because when you're giving birth and, I mean,

yeah, it's just like, it's just epic. It's, it's, it's, and I'm not even saying that in a, in a good or of course, bad way. I mean, it's, it's just, it's just so extreme, you know? It's like, when birth is happening, you're just like, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. Why does no one talk about this more? Yes, it's the coolest, most like feral, like it is, yes, I know my first

birth, I ended up having to be transferred to the hospital, but I really wanted to experience an unmedicated birth just for my own. I just got it in my head. But my second was like fully unmedicated. It happened very quickly. I gave birth

in a COVID testing room if that gives you any... Wow. Oh, my goodness. She just came blind into the world. But I literally thought I was dying. I just remember, like, a nurse, like, jump in. The doctor didn't even make into the room and just, like, burst through my legs and was like, get it together.

Like, you can do it. Oh, my God. And I just, like, and I, like, was able to do it. And I just remember, like, the second she came out, the first thing I did was, like, scream. Like, I just, like, yelled. That's amazing. Would you like to see your baby? I was like, oh, yeah, yeah, that part too.

You're like, no. No. Not just about me. I am woman. Start roaring everywhere. But it's the coolest thing ever. I know. I feel like, I'm like, did you guys ever see the movie Nightbitch?

Did anyone watch Nightbitch? I haven't seen that with Amy Adams. I haven't seen it. I want to watch it so badly. I just haven't gotten around to it. But I've seen there, there's like an amazing clip that went viral of her talking to this other mother in a supermarket. Yeah.

About postpartum. It's the first scene in pretty sure. Yeah. Oh, really? She's so good. She's really, really good. Yeah. But that just brought up, like, I remember watching that being like, yes.

Like, I didn't know how to say anything else except this, yes. It's like the feral nature of it all. Anyway, that's just a whole other tangent. But your wife sounds awesome and also I love what she does. And that is very cool. She is awesome. She is. I do want to ask you a few questions about your new project.

Yes. So we, it isn't out yet. So did a little research on the book. I don't know how much you're allowed to say. Obviously, the book is out. People can Google it. Don't Google it. If you're going to do anything, just read it.

No spoilers. Okay. But so you may not be able to answer this question, Candice. If I can't answer it, I will lie. That's what it says on the back of the book. If anyone asks you about what happens in this book, just lie. Okay. That's what it says.

Whoa. So, I mean, not exactly, like paraphrasing, but yeah, Yeah, yeah. Well, what I was going to ask you is, do you know whether or not it's meant to be a limited series or if there's going to be multiple seasons? And if the series is trying to be faithful to the book or if it kind of goes its own way, like Gossip Girl and many are pretty little liars, they kind of went their own way. Yes, I can answer all of these questions. If for anyone who has read the book and fell in love with it as much as I did, it is very much the book. You will be transported to be. Beechwood Island. Like, you will fall in love with Gat alongside Cadence. You will feel dizzy and confused and want to know what the hell happened last summer. And the only thing that's probably changed in the story is that we just get to, like, expand other characters. You really get a sense for the other liars. You get to get, know the family a lot more to help understand, you know, why the rules and the laws of this island are the way they are.

So, like, for instance, like Best Sinclair, the character I play of the Sinclair sisters, Mirren's mom, you wouldn't, you know, get to know her that well in the book, but you're going to see a lot more of her and the other aunts and get to know, you know, the matriarch and the patriarch of the family, the Sinclair's as a whole, a lot more. So that's the way that it's really different from the book, which I think adds, a lot to the story. And we would all love to see, you know, another season of this because there are more books. So if you've read all of the books, you know there's possibility to really dive deeper. So, but we're just going to start. I'm just excited for everyone to see we were liars

first and foremost. Exciting. Okay. And what's your, what's your favorite thing? What was your favorite thing about playing best? Oh, my favorite thing about playing best is that these are just some bougie people. Like, these are not necessarily, like, the best, you know, morally the best family. But, man, I want to, you know, hang out. Well, maybe I wouldn't hang out their house overnight, like, for a long weekend, but maybe just go for, like, the afternoon. We were filming in Nova Scotia. It was meant to be Martha's bit, like, you know, Beachwood Island and the book is where this family goes to vacation every summer and it's in the story it's off the coast of Martha's vineyard and they're you know this is a very wealthy family if you think like old school like

Kennedys with the Murdox it's like that kind of esteemed you know they're no um they're known around the the wealthier parts of of America and um they're established and so for them they kind of retreat to this island and kind of hole up and keep very secret. So for us, we got to film in Halifax, Nova Scotia and just recreate this like magical, wealthy world. So we were sitting on these beautiful beaches with these beautiful houses and these views and these sunsets drinking like fake rosé, which was watered down hypiscus tea. You know, it was delightful and, you know, such a wonderful cast. I got to work with Caitlin Fitzgerald and Mamie Gummer played the other Sinclair sisters so the three of us just like bickering and like swirling our fake

wines and like you know gallivanting in the sunset down these like fancy exclusive beaches um what's not to love that sounds like a dream yeah it was awesome i mean i think my fingers just stopped smelling like lobster pretty recently because i like i stayed down the street jealous i stayed close to this area called chester and they have this like old pub from like, I want to say like the 17 or 18, like very, very old, you know, and, but you could get lobster in a bucket because it's, you know, there's lobster. There's literally a lobster shop in the airport in Halifax where you can take a lobster home. Take a lobster to dough. And I did not do that. A live lobster? I'm nodding my head, yes, for those who are listening.

And, um, pretty sure. And, but like, I didn't go that far, but I would order the lobster in the bucket it quite often, you know, to my kids, both, like, enjoyment and, like, embarrassment. I love a food with an activity. I think it's fun. Well, just based on the trailer, I'm pretty sure you're going to get to make multiple seasons. I think it's going to go. Thanks, from your mouth to God's ears. It'd be so much fun.

Navah had put in our, like, prep doc, like, spoiler ahead, do not read if you're planning on watching it. I was like, I am absolutely planning on watching. Let me scroll past this real quick. Yeah, I'm excited. I mean, it is, there's such a, even just the story of how the book found its audience. It's like, it was part of this whole like book talk trend in 2020. And in actually the, you know, Karina McKenzie and Julie Plack, who I haven't been lucky enough to know for many, many years.

Julie was the co-creator, executive producer of Vampire Diaries and then Karina also did Roswell, New Mexico. but worked on the original. So I've known these women for a long time. And they've wanted to bring this book to the screen for a decade and just like kept missing out on the opportunity because it'd been optioned or, you know, kind of tossed around. And so, you know, it just was this perfect kismet that, like, it found its bigger audience, you know, with the book talk community in 2020. And then Julie and Karina were able to get their hands on it and bring it to the screen. It's been very fun to hear about it for so many years and to be a part of it, kind of making its way into, like, you know, to my best friend, TV.

So, yeah, that's great. It's all full circle. Congratulations, Candace. Thanks. When you were saying book talk, you know, I just realized that you don't often, you know, you see it, book, okay, or like cat talk, cat POV talk or like whatever talk. just so everybody knows pen is 100% on cat talk he's on cat talk he's on he's on animal talk he's on he's on I like I need you to talk louder for my phone algorithm because I don't get

TikTok like I feel like such like a millennial mom that like I get Instagram I don't get TikTok it stresses me it overwhelms me like I overthinks trying to like look in the camera and like say the things like you guys crush it like you guys pop crushed you guys TikTok crush you guys take the top crush it. I'm taking notes and lessons from you with my content team. Just trying to take me to talkie the best I can.

But it is I wouldn't begin, you know. I wouldn't. We have stumbled and strategized our way into a great place, but a lot. It is stressful. I mean, the amount of times I see people comment, like,

oh, there was a millennial pause. It's like, let us live. Let us live. We're a millennial. For a moment. What do you want herbal diarrhea? But also when people use millennial as an insult, I'm like, I'm literally a millennial. Why should I be offended by that?

I have heard that now Gen Z is now aging out. You know, it's happening faster. And like, Gen Z is no longer like the young, cool. And they're going to find out real quick. I'm like, you know what, you wear your big socks now. But one day, one day you're going to be like me with your little ankle cutters because they're easier and they make your legs look longer you're welcome god that that really is a defining i actually so i've always i've liked see i like the long socks and i do it they're like thank god

this came i like to wear white shoes as well like white slip-ons which sounds weird but i make it work and it's funny that i uh like this past summer i was getting a lot of um like like fashion nods from like 20-year-olds and like I just like sure that I want to be nearly getting a lot of appreciation for how I'm getting 20-year-olds I don't know but but I think there's dignity and the authenticity because I go to like an oritia and I buy I'm like I can do it like I can do it I can get the socks and I and I'll wear them with tennis shoes and I put them in my suitcase to go, like, take cute pictures on my trip. And then the second they get there, no, I fold them under.

I don't even like, I need, like, I fold them under. I can't do it. I can't do it. The no-show sock really brings me back to being, like, in L.A., in the early 2000s. Like, no one had ever thought about it. And suddenly we were all like, no, no, no, no, you cannot see the sock. No, you never see the sock. High clean years were just a long sock folded over the top of my sweaty foot.

I still do the sweaty foldover. Why did we think it was so important? I know. It was like Froyo and sweaty foldover socks. You know, that was like what really... What it's defining. Established LA. And jeans, skirts, and ugs, you know?

Yes, oh, my gosh. We've already naturally segued a little bit back to it. So we'll just offer you our last question. If you could go back to the 12-year-old, Candace, what would you say or do? Oh. Oh, just, it's not that serious. I've really been holding on to that a lot lately. I've been introduced to that as like a little mantra lately.

And I'm like, it's not that serious. And not everyone is supposed to like you. It's not that serious. You know, not everyone's supposed to get it. someone's going to get your joke, but someone will. And, like, just hang out with those are your people then. Like, that's okay. And, yeah, because you desperate, it took a long time for 12-year-old Candice and, like, young Candice

to not constantly worry about if, you know, what other people thought or if everyone, like, the likability factor. And so just letting her off the hook a little bit. I think we can all do that for each other and ourselves. I love that. We've never gotten that answer. I think that's great. Yeah? Yeah. Okay. Yay. Well, thanks. You won. Okay. Back in a type A perfectionist. Yeah. I did it. You grooved it to everybody. But truly, thank you guys. And just congratulations on like all the podcast success. I know it's like such a intense. It's hard to cut through the noise. And you guys are just on.

such a wonderful job and it's so fun and like and truly like as cheesy as it is like pen it's so it's nice to see like good people succeed but i also just love seeing good people succeed who also like tell everyone like we can all have fun like it's like you know you keep it so fun with everything you do and it's just like such a fucking breath of fresh air so you know just in my nature to be light and have fun yeah It's just that we've been my vibe. Just so late back. Well, that's what I see from the outside.

You can watch We Were Liars on Amazon Prime now, and you can keep up with Candace King online at Candice King. Podcrushed is hosted by Penn Badgley, Navacavalin, and Sophie Ansari. Our senior producer is David Ansari, and our editing is done by Clips Agency. Special thanks to the folks at Lema, And as always, you can listen to Pod Crush ad-free on Amazon Music with your Prime membership. Okay, that's all.

Bye. I remember even visiting Brittany when she was doing John Tucker Must Die when you guys were up there in Vancouver. I had my first Bellini. It was very exciting. Yeah, you know what? That was the first time I ever heard of a Bellini. I remember that place being also for our die-hard listeners and for Sophia Nava. This is the same place where I ate Chad Michael.

Murray's um oh my god spit out edamames the first time i ever had edamame didn't know that the shells had already been in other people's mouths and so i reached into the bowl and i tried to eat it yes what's happening so gross part of me first time it was like does this restaurant have like a specialty edamame for chad michael murray because at the time that would have made sense you know what at the time they very well could have.