Image Source: Getty / Greg Doherty
If you watch The Flash, then you're probably familiar with the talented Candice Patton. While the 29-year-old is known for her fierce onscreen persona, Iris West-Allen, she's just as inspiring off screen. When she's not filming the hit CW series, the actress is using her voice to empower young women through the campaign Shethority, which she created with her fellow Arrowverse costars.
Since we're such big fans of the actress, we're super excited that her next project will be with us. Candice will be hanging out with POPSUGAR for our weekend-long festival, POPSUGAR Play/Ground. On Sunday, June 10, she'll join her fellow CW stars Vanessa Morgan and Ashleigh Murray for a panel. If you want to get up close and personal with the star, we suggest buying your tickets now. In the meantime, learn even more about the star through her exclusive interview with POPSUGAR below.
POPSUGAR: What is one thing that has influenced your career today?
Candice Patton: My family, for sure. My mom and my dad [have] always been extremely supportive of me following my dreams and doing what I love. I know a lot of people don't have that luxury of having parents that support that, especially when you're trying to go into the arts. I've been extremely lucky in them pushing me to stay in the business even when it was difficult and hard because they knew it was what I love to do. My dad has always said that [if] you find something you love to do, you'll never work a day in your life. They've always kind of pushed me to follow my dreams rather than to follow money or to follow something that was easy. I think that's part of why I'm successful. I did what I love and I kept doing it.
PS: What advice would you give your 22-year-old self?
CP: In my 20s, I wanted everything so bad. I wanted success and love and the whole package right away, but there's something very powerful about adversity and failing. I think one of the greatest things that's ever happened to me is not having things when I wanted them. It taught me perseverance and strength, and by the time I did have my career and my success, I was extremely grateful for it.
PS: What talent or passion have you been able to use in your career in an unexpected way?
CP: Being a feminist and being a role model to a lot of young women is something that has been unexpected. Caity [Lotz] and I created this thing called Shethority to give back to a lot of our young fans and empower young women to use their voice. It's something that's really important to both of us.
PS: What does finding your happy mean to you? Do you feel like you've found it?
CP: I'm learning as I get older [that happiness] is contentment. The grass is always greener, and I'm always going to want more. I'm always going to want another job, or a better car, or a bigger vacation. So for me, to just be content exactly where I am with everything that I have is what true happiness is.
PS: What would you say is your happy place?
CP: I'm definitely here now in Texas. My mom and dad are here, my brother, my niece, my nephew, and my dog are here. It's just very normal to me. It reminds me of growing up, and everyone here is so Texan and so friendly. People say "please" and "thank you" and "hi, how are you?" I don't wear makeup, I don't dress up or look fancy, I just feel normal.
PS: What is your most prized possession?
CP: My puppy, Zoë. She just turned a year old, and she's changed my life. I can't really remember what it was like before her. I take her to work with me every day. I, like a lot of actors, have anxiety, so she is kind of this place of calm for me. She travels with me everywhere back and forth to LA, to Texas, to work, she comes to the set with me. She loves me no matter what.
PS: What is your favorite splurge?
CP: Definitely electronics. If it's new and cool, I have to have it, whether it's a robotic vacuum cleaner or a new gaming system.
PS: What is your guilty pleasure?
CP: Potato chips. I can't even bring them in the house. I discovered some when I was in Canada, where I shoot the show, called Old Dutch Gourmet. They're almost like a Ruffles potato chip, but thick and not too salty. It's like the perfect chip.
PS: What is your favorite healthy food?
CP: I really like acai bowls with fruit and sometimes bee pollen. I also really love juicing. The first thing I bought when I got my first check on The Flash was a $600 juicer.
