Born in South Africa and brought up in Canada, Kandyse McClure began her acting career in 1999 and worked in both television and film. She rose to prominence when she played Officer Anastasia Dualla in ‘Battlestar Galactica’, a Sci-Fi Channel series. She also well-known for playing Dr. Clementine Chasseur in ‘Hemlock Grove’, an original Netflix series
In 2016, Kandyse McClure played an important part of Heritage Canada. To mark the beginning of Black History Month, the event featured the 82nd Heritage Minute and the video was about Viola Desmond with McClure playing the role of Desmond. She was an entrepreneur and civil rights activist.
Women Fitness President talks to the stunning actress about her journey to success.
Namita Nayyar:
To begin with, acting was not your choice of profession but one suggested to you by your mother. What were the factors that lead you to enter the entertainment industry?
Kandyse McClure:
My mother would have preferred a job with more security, I’m sure! Although she’s very supportive of everything I do. I lived my way into this business. I kept saying yes to opportunities that came along. I learned everything I could, whenever I could. It was exciting, there was a feeling of possibility. Then I found community. We all want to be seen for who we really are and I found that among actors and creators. People that share a feeling, a perspective on living, all in one place. We all kind of gravitate to what suits us best. This is where I belong, among the misfits.
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This interview is exclusive and taken by Namita Nayyar President womenfitness.net and should not be reproduced, copied or hosted in part or full anywhere without an express permission.
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Namita Nayyar:
You have been active on both television and film. You rose to prominence playing Officer Anastasia Dualla in ‘Battlestar Galactica’, a Sci-Fi Channel series and also for playing Dr. Clementine Chasseur in ‘Hemlock Grove’. According to you which character has been closest to your heart?
Kandyse McClure:
To know Dualla is to know much of me. I was a young actor, mining my life, wandering around in my subconscious making mistakes and figuring it out. She gave me this beautiful challenging opportunity to learn from some of the best in this business and to know who I was an actor and as a person.
Namita Nayyar:
How do you generally kick start your day?
Kandyse McClure:
I am what they call a Lark – so my prime hours are really early in the morning – which is amazing for being on set. When I’m not on set, I’m at the local coffee shop writing, researching, working on whatever project I’m on for a few hours. Then it’s on to a workout and getting ready for the day before making breakfast.
Namita Nayyar:
What exercise routine do you follow to stay fit? Your word on strength training and the significance of stretching?
Kandyse McClure:
I try and balance strength and flexibility. Both are so important, especially as women get older. I like high intensity interval training and do that three times a week, with a couple of days of hot yoga in between. I love hot yoga and also enjoy taking cold showers afterwards. They make me feel like I can conquer anything the day brings.
Namita Nayyar:
What would be your word of advice for upcoming actresses who go about trying everything (going under the needle) to look beautiful?
Kandyse McClure:
It’s such a personal decision. I haven’t had any work done myself but I also really understand the pressures of this business. There are examples of women who have made the best of preventative procedures and maybe that could be a middle ground. More importantly thought we need to look at the ideals of beauty that we hold for ourselves. Also, to honour ourselves for our work and accomplishments and not just our looks.we need to remember that to age gracefully is a revolutionary act of self love. To love yourself at every age, because, only if we’re lucky….aging will happen all of us.
Namita Nayyar:
The ideal diet to stay healthy and look great? 5 die-hard favorite foods.
Kandyse McClure:
Everything in moderation and you can’t out run your mouth! I’ve been enjoying intermittent fasting lately mainly because it suits my chronotype and lifestyle. I try and listen to what my body is craving and how I feel after eating certain foods. When I start craving leafy green veggies and raisins I know I need iron for example. Or if I eat something very sweet, I get itchy. Our bodies are constantly in communication with us, we just need to practice listening. Favourite foods? Thats tough. I love all kinds of food! My fridge is embarrassingly full of kimchi, yogurt and pickles though….
Namita Nayyar:
IMDb has rated you as the sexiest female at No.85 in the world in 2018. What’s your daily skin and hair care routine? Products you really appreciate. Also, share any home recipe for radiant skin?
Kandyse McClure:
Wow, what a thing! Well, I think good skin starts from the inside. Water, water water! Also, good gut health I find really contributes positively to my skin staying clear and healthy. My skin care is really simple actually. Starting with making sure any products or makeup I use is as free of harmful chemicals and additives as possible. I love the African Botanics line, although they are definitely an luxury product. In more simple moments….coconut oil to remove makeup, sea buckthorn oil for breakouts and hyper pigmentation. Argan or rosehip oils for dry or weather beaten skin and a really good scrub and face mask once a week.
Namita Nayyar:
Kandyse, you work to support charities and are passionate about a non-profit organization called CARE Canada, the charity that raises money and works towards addressing issues relating to poverty in the developing regions of the world. Share yours contribute to this arena?
Kandyse McClure:
It’s something my mother has always made an effort to do – even as immigrants ourselves – to extend what we could to those less fortunate that ourselves around the world. I appreciate Care Canada for their transparency as well as their focus on women and girls. Supporting a woman in any community means supporting that community. It’s a change that has an increasing ripple effect that extends to everyone around her and for years to come.
Namita Nayyar:
The message you would like to extend to your fans across the globe.
Kandyse McClure:
I am because you are. Thank you from my whole heart!
Namita Nayyar:
Being a recipient of the Peabody Award of Excellence on television you have gained an appreciation for your good quality work. Was it a tough fight climbing up the ladder. How did you overcome the challenges?
Kandyse McClure:
There will always be challenges and maybe we don’t always succeed in the way we thought we should or wanted to. That being said, how you show up for yourself, for those you love is what your legacy will be, whatever accolades you achieve. Be gentle with yourself and do better tomorrow. Apologize when you’re wrong but don’t beat yourself up about it. Stay close to those who you can be yourself around who will always tell you the truth. Work hard, be kind.
Namita Nayyar:
Message for Women Fitness followers?
Kandyse McClure:
Take care of yourself, you’re all you’ve got.
Follow her on:
- https://twitter.com/kandysemcclure
- https://www.instagram.com/kandysemcclure/
- https://www.facebook.com/kandysemcclure/
This interview is exclusively taken by Namita Nayyar President womenfitness.net and should not be reproduced, copied or hosted in part or full anywhere without an express permission.
All Written Content Copyright © 2020 Women Fitness