Honestly, the Real Housewives of Potomac just hasn't felt the same since that folded tissue stopped appearing on our screens every Sunday night. When Candiace Dillard Bassett announced her departure in early 2024, it sent the Bravo universe into a tailspin. People were shocked. Some were relieved. But mostly, everyone was just confused.
Was she fired? Did she quit because of the "colorism" conversations that dominated Season 8? Or was it actually about her husband, Chris Bassett, and the constant target on his back?
Actually, it was much more personal than a contract dispute. Candiace basically chose peace over a paycheck. And in the world of reality TV, that is a rare move.
What Really Happened with Candiace from the Real Housewives of Potomac
For six years, Candiace was the lightning rod of the Potomac franchise. She joined in Season 3 and immediately shifted the energy. She was sharp. She was highly educated—graduating from Howard University with both a BA and an MBA. She was also, famously, a former Miss United States.
But by the end of Season 8, the "fun" had evaporated.
The primary reason for her exit? Motherhood and safety. Candiace has been very vocal since leaving, specifically on the According to Blake podcast and her own show Undomesticated, about the toxic environment on set. She didn't just feel like the other women were coming for her; she felt like production itself wasn't a safe space for her anymore.
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"I can’t be beefing with the devil, talent, and the people whose job it is to protect us," she famously noted.
The IVF Journey and the "Safe Space"
During Season 7, we saw Candiace go through the grueling process of egg retrieval. It’s a vulnerable thing to film. When her first retrieval failed, she didn't just blame biology; she blamed the stress of the show. She believed the constant "vilification" of her husband, Chris—led largely by Gizelle Bryant’s accusations that he made her feel "uncomfortable"—created a cortisol-heavy environment that was literally counterproductive to her health.
When she finally got pregnant with her son, Jett Maxwell, who was born in October 2024, the choice was simple. She wasn't going to bring a newborn—or a pregnancy—into a "war zone."
Life After the Folded Tissue: Where is She Now?
If you thought Candiace was going to fade into the background, you haven't been paying attention. She’s busier now than she ever was while holding a champagne flute.
The Music Career
Candiace has always insisted she is a singer first and a reality star second. Since leaving the show, she signed with UnitedMasters, a major move for an independent R&B artist. Her debut album, Deep Space, already proved she had the pipes, but her 2025 and 2026 updates suggest a much more polished, industry-focused sound is on the way. She’s no longer just "the girl from Housewives who sings." She’s a legitimate artist in the R&B space.
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The Traitors and Reality TV Return
While she’s done with the "Potomac" brand of drama for now, she isn't done with TV. Candiace was cast in Season 4 of The Traitors on Peacock.
It’s a different vibe. It’s a game of strategy, not a game of "who can scream the loudest at a dinner party." Starring alongside other heavy hitters like Lisa Rinna and Dorinda Medley, Candiace has been able to show off her wit without the baggage of decade-long feuds. It’s been a bit of a "rebranding" for her. Fans are seeing the sharp-tongued strategist rather than the emotional cry-angle queen.
Motherhood and Jett
The biggest update, of course, is Jett Maxwell Lee Bassett. Born October 3, 2024, Jett has become the center of her world. She recently joked in an interview with People that her secret to being a working mom is literally sleeping in her makeup to save time for morning Zoom calls. Relatable? Maybe not for everyone. Very Candiace? Absolutely.
Dealing with the Rumors: Was She Fired?
There is a subset of the "fandom" that insists Candiace was fired or demoted to a "friend of" role and quit to save face.
The facts don't really support that.
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Bravo production sources confirmed to People and Variety that the door was left wide open for her. In fact, her departure coincided with Robyn Dixon also leaving the show (who was reportedly let go). Losing two major pillars of the cast at once was a huge blow to the show’s ratings and dynamic. Candiace has even teased a "see you later" rather than a "goodbye," though as of January 2026, she says she has "no plans" to return to the current toxic climate of the show.
The Business of Being Candiace
Candiace’s net worth is currently estimated around $4.5 million. That’s not just Bravo money. She’s a serial entrepreneur:
- Candiace Dillard Pageant Consulting: She still works in the pageant world that built her.
- Prima Hair Collection: Her co-founded hair line.
- Chateau Salon Suites: A real estate and beauty venture.
- Acting: She’s been booking roles in independent films and scripted series, proving the "Housewife" tag was just a stepping stone.
The Reality Check
Look, Candiace was polarizing. You either loved her "reads" or you thought she went too low. But you can't deny that she was the engine of the show for years. Without her, the "Potomac" cast has struggled to find a cohesive narrative that doesn't feel forced.
She realized that her mental health and her new family were worth more than the $60,000+ per episode she was likely pulling in. That’s a level of self-awareness we rarely see in the Bravoverse.
What You Can Learn from the Candiace Era
If you’re following Candiace’s trajectory, there are a few actionable takeaways for navigating a high-stress career or a public-facing life:
- Audit Your Environment: If your "work" environment makes you feel physically unsafe or mentally drained, no amount of money is worth the long-term damage.
- Diversify Your Income: Candiace didn't rely on Bravo. Her businesses and education gave her the leverage to walk away when things got sour.
- Control Your Narrative: By announcing her departure on her own terms and immediately pivoting to The Traitors and new music, she didn't let the "fired" rumors stick.
Candiace Dillard Bassett is currently living her best life in her "Healed Girl Era," and frankly, the quiet looks good on her. Whether she ever returns to pick up a prototype or a prop for a reunion remains to be seen, but for now, she's winning the post-Housewives game.
Next Steps for Fans:
To keep up with Candiace’s latest music and motherhood journey, you can follow her official Instagram or listen to her podcast, Undomesticated, where she gives weekly updates on her life and her unfiltered thoughts on the current state of reality television.