If you tuned into OWN anytime between 2013 and 2021, you knew the name. Candace Young. She wasn't just a character; she was a force of nature that basically kept the lights on in Savannah. Tika Sumpter played her with this icy, "don't mess with me" energy that made you both hate her and kind of want to be her best friend.
Honestly, the Candace have and have nots dynamic was the engine of the entire show. On one side, you had the Cryers—rich, powerful, and deeply rotten. On the other, the Youngs—struggling, religious, and often the collateral damage of Candace’s latest scheme. But here is the thing: Candace wasn't just a "villain." She was a survivalist.
The Hustle of Candace Young
People call her a gold digger. That’s a bit simple, isn't it? From the very first episode, "The Big Surprise," where she walks out of Jim Cryer’s bedroom during his own surprise party, it was clear she was playing a different game. She wasn't looking for a boyfriend. She wanted the house. She wanted the power. She wanted the life that people like Katheryn Cryer took for granted every single morning.
You've got to remember where she came from. The show eventually peels back the layers on her trauma. We’re talking about a woman who was sexually assaulted by her mother’s boyfriend as a child. That kind of pain doesn't just go away. It turns into armor.
Why the "Candy" Persona Mattered
She used her "Candy" persona as an escort to infiltrate the world of the "Haves." She was smart. Like, scary smart. While Jim and David were worried about governorships and optics, Candace was two steps ahead, recording conversations and filing away secrets like a high-stakes librarian.
She even pretended to be a law student to get close to Amanda Cryer. It started as a ruse, but you could tell Candace actually had the brain for it. She eventually used her blackmail money to try and legitimize herself, which is the ultimate irony. She used dirty money to buy a clean future. It didn't always work.
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The Toxic Mother-Daughter War
The heart of the drama wasn't the sex or the money. It was the absolute, soul-crushing war between Candace and her mother, Hanna Young.
Hanna, played by Crystal Fox, was the "good" one. The prayer warrior. The woman who worked as a maid for the very people Candace was extorting. Their scenes were painful to watch. I’m serious. When Hanna tells Candace she wishes she’d never been born, or when Candace slaps Hanna and Hanna slaps her back into next week—that’s raw.
- The Quincy Jr. Tragedy: This was the breaking point. Candace’s son, Little Q, was caught in the crossfire of her lifestyle.
- The Funeral Scene: Seeing Candace break down over her son’s casket in season 4 was probably the most human we ever saw her. She blamed Hanna. Hanna blamed her.
- The Father Reveal: Finding out that Derrick was actually Candace's father was a late-series bombshell that added even more weight to her resentment.
What Really Happened with the Cryers?
Jim Cryer thought he could use Candace and toss her aside. He was wrong. He was so, so wrong.
The Candace have and have nots rivalry with Jim was legendary. She didn't just want his money; she wanted his dignity. There’s that scene where she has him kidnapped, strapped to an electric chair, and basically dismantles his entire ego. It was brutal. It was also, in a weird way, justice for every woman Jim had stepped on over the years.
But Candace’s obsession with the Cryers often backfired. She used Amanda as a pawn, and while Candace did seem to care for her in a twisted way, her influence definitely contributed to Amanda’s tragic downward spiral. Candace was a catalyst for chaos. If she walked into a room, something was going to burn.
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The Benny Factor
If Candace had one weakness, it was her brother, Benny. She loved him. Truly. She even used her "escort" money to pay off the mortgage on their mother's house just to help him out. Benny was the only person who could consistently get through her walls, though even he eventually grew tired of her "thuggish" ways, as the show often put it.
The Ending Nobody Talked About
By the time the series finale rolled around in 2021, the world of The Haves and the Have Nots was a literal graveyard. Most of the "Haves" were either dead or ruined.
Candace, however, remained standing.
She didn't necessarily get a "happily ever after" in the traditional sense. That wouldn't fit her. But she survived. She learned that Derrick was her father, which changed her perspective on her mother's past, but it didn't magically fix their relationship. The show stayed true to its cynical roots: trauma leaves scars that don't just fade because the cameras stop rolling.
Why We Still Care About Candace
Look, Tyler Perry gets a lot of flak for his writing style. Critics say it’s "lowbrow" or "melodramatic." Tika Sumpter actually defended the show back in the day, saying they were just trying to make the best show possible and that the production value grew every year.
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Regardless of what critics think, Candace Young became a cultural icon for a reason.
She represented the "Have Not" who refused to wait for a handout. She was the dark side of the American Dream. She showed that if the system is rigged against you, you might just have to rig the system right back. Was she a good person? No. Was she a great character? Absolutely.
Key Insights for Fans and Aspiring Writers
If you’re looking back at the legacy of this character, there are a few things to take away:
- Complexity Wins: Characters aren't just good or bad. Candace was a victim, a predator, a sister, and a grieving mother all at once.
- Dialogue Matters: Her sharp-tongued one-liners are still quoted today because they came from a place of power.
- The "Why" is Vital: Once we understood Candace’s childhood trauma, her actions—while still "bad"—made sense.
If you want to revisit the madness, the entire series is usually available on the Discovery+ or MAX apps, depending on your region. It’s a wild ride that reminds us that sometimes, the difference between a "Have" and a "Have Not" is just a well-placed digital recorder and a lot of nerve.
Start your rewatch from Season 1 to see the evolution of "Candy" to Candace. Pay close attention to the way her wardrobe changes as she gains more power—it's a subtle masterclass in character development through costume. Once you hit the Season 4 funeral episodes, you’ll see Tika Sumpter’s best acting in the entire series. Keep an eye out for the subtle hints about her father throughout the earlier seasons; they're there if you look hard enough.