A wellness journalist, 5x bestselling author, wellness/food writer/director and chef, former model for 12 years. A badass bitch in NYC.
Q
Describe Candice Kumai.
A
Fun, inspiring, feel-good. Japanese, witty, charming.
Q
What was the inspiration for choosing this career?
A
I swear, I didn’t choose it, it def chose me. My Japanese mother probably has a large responsibility in influencing and inspiring me to be a strong, cultured, educated, hard working, fun and respectable journalist/director/chef.
Q
What is your morning routine?
A
Cuddle (currently choosing to be single, so with my cat Sisi!) Matcha. Meditate. Drake. Write. Bar Method. Socialize. Shoot food. Recipe test. Werk hard af. Write some more.
Create, never follow or copy. Go with your heart and gut.”
Q
What’s is the one possession you couldn’t live without?
A
Current? Matcha + bamboo whisk (a chasen).
Q
What is your proudest achievement thus far?
A
Anything to make mom proud. She’s in love with watching my Dr. Oz segments and bringing my books + mags back to Japan to our Kumai family. I don’t think my proudest moment has come… it tis def yet to come. The future is bright.
Q
How do you stay motivated and keep going?
A
I don’t really know, other than my parents raised me this way. They wired me to be a machine. I believe it’s because my sis and I both watched them, two of the most brilliant, open minded, and loving people I know. They crushed it. Sure, it wasn’t perf, but I’m stoked they were hard on us. It pushed me to work hard, work with integrity and crush it.
Q
Who would play you in the movie about your life?
A
I’m hoping Shay Mitchell.
Q
What is the most important thing you’ve learned being a digital publisher?
A
People are watching you, they are listening. Keep it real, keep it classy and just be yourself. Create, never follow or copy. Go with your heart and gut. Hard work, over decades, will get you there.
Q
Name another blogger who is killing it?
A
I LOVE my girls at Levo League!! So supportive + forward thinking for women. Also Girlboss and The Tig.
Q
What is your best advice to young bloggers just starting out?
A
Keep it real yo. Be original, be you. Study at your craft, own your space by leading the pack. Travel. Roll with dope ppl who make you feel-good. Ditch the losers who drag you down. + Don’t compare… “comparison is the thief of joy”. Don’t talk shit, it’s a waste of time. Instead, focus on you, your health, your heart and the amazing people in your life. And don’t copy… be OG.
Show us a screenshot of your mobile home screen.
Q
How do you deal with negative comments on social media?
A
Ugh. so lame. My friend Gabby Bernstein taught me, “forgive and delete.” I think it’s a waste of space, time and they need to chill.
Q
Who should everyone be following?
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@DrakeonCake + @TREVORNOAH ? + @sophiaamoruso
Q
What are you listening to right now?
A
Q
Who was your favourite Spice Girl and why?
A
I think Sporty, bc I was such a tomboy… but really, I was into The Beastie Boys + Prob Backstreet, too… all kinds of weird shit, I was a weird kid… ?