Радиоведущая Кэндис Удль рассказала о жизни, музыке и мечте увидеть Oasis вживую

You share your mornings with her on K-ROCK - now learn more about Candice Udle Radio host answers The Telegram's 20 questions Candice Udle is answering interview questions while painting her nails, getting ready for a night out with her partner, Paul. Somewhere between coats of polish, she pauses to laugh. “Am I the first person who’s ever been doing their nails during one of these interviews?” she asks. For anyone who has spent the last two decades waking up to K-ROCK, that kind of multitasking probably isn’t surprising when it’s coming from Udle. She has built a career on juggling early mornings, quick wit, parenting, and whatever the day throws at her. Udle, 43, started as a journalist at VOCM News in 2003 before joining K-ROCK’s Summer Roadshow as a travelling host. A fill-in shift on the morning show later turned into a permanent gig. “I love the fact that the job is different every day. I never know what to expect,” she says. “I love music, but I also love people. An office job is not for me, and the radio station has become a big part of my life.” LIKE SIBLINGS These days, her 4:45 a.m. alarm is followed by time on the air, but her day doesn’t end when the microphones turn off, even if she’s ready to go back to bed. She switches into parent mode, picking her two sons up from school. Udle described her co-hosts Mike Campbell and Jason “JLac” LaCour as having become like siblings to her, saying she loves their banter, wit and occasional squabble. “You try talking to someone for four hours every single day and tell me you’re not ever going to bicker,” she says with a laugh. “Plus, we do have a show to run. We could be bickering about something on the show and all have different opinions on the air, but off-air, we share the same opinion on it.” One of her career’s hardest moments was the heartbreak of losing former co-host Tom “Big Tom” Fitzgerald after a heart attack in 2012. Udle says she misses him every day. Among the best things, she says, is the connection listeners have developed to her, Campbell and JLac. Their show has its regular callers, many of whom say Udle and her co-hosts have become a regular part of their lives. “They’ve become a part of ours, too,” she said. “I love that.” CHANGES AND CONSTANTS Technology has transformed many things about Udle’s job over the years, from how music is programmed to advertisements, and social media now demands radio personalities to be almost as visible as they are audible. Through it all, though, one thing has remained constant: the music. Well, sort of. Songs that were new on the radio when Udle started out at K-ROCK are now in regular rotation in the station’s playlist. “Listen, we play Our Lady Peace now. We played a song the other day from Blink-182. We play Nirvana. This is all considered classic rock now,” Udle says. “Can you imagine?” Q. What is your full name? A. Candice Udle. Q. Where were you born, and where do you live today? A. I was born in May 1983 at the Grace Hospital in St. John’s. I grew up in Mount Pearl and, all these years later, I’m still proud to call Mount Pearl home. Q. What is one thing you would like people to know about you? A. I’ve been on the air for more than 20 years, so in a lot of ways, I feel like I grew up on the radio. I share a lot about my life, and I’m grateful that listeners have gotten to know me over the years, but one thing I’d like people to know is that they only see a small part of who I am. It’s a show. Outside work, I’m a mom, a partner, and a friend. There’s always more to a person than what you hear on the air. Q. What is one thing people would be surprised to know about you? A. Most people are surprised to learn that I used to be a competitive tennis player. When I was younger, I played year-round, indoors in the winter and outdoors all summer. At one point, I was ranked in the top two in the province. I’m hoping to pick up a racket again this summer, and in the meantime, I’ve been working on my pickleball game, too! Q. What is the hardest thing you have done? A. The hardest thing I’ve ever done was watching my son in the hospital after a scooter accident. As a parent, seeing your child hurt and not being able to take that pain away is heartbreaking. As difficult as that was, I think it was even harder watching him get back on a scooter afterward. I was terrified, but I knew I couldn’t let my fear become his. Q. Can you describe one experience that changed your life? A. The day I became a mom. Nothing has changed my life more than becoming a mother. It completely shifted my perspective and gave me a whole new sense of purpose. My kids have taught me patience, unconditional love, and what truly matters. Every decision I make now is with them in mind. Q. What is your greatest indulgence? A. A glass of red wine, a comfy blanket, and a good show. And coffee! I can’t get enough of it. Q. What music do you listen to? A. I listen to classic rock all day at work, so that’s definitely my comfort zone. Some of my favourites are Oasis, The Killers, Green Day, Aerosmith, Bob Dylan, The Glorious Sons, The Sheepdogs and Alanis Morrissette, just to name a few. But my playlists are all over the place. I also listen to a lot of Zach Bryan, and lately I can’t get enough of Modest Mouse. Q. What was the best concert you’ve ever seen? A. I’ve been lucky enough to see a lot of incredible concerts over the past 20-plus years, which is definitely one of the perks of working in radio. If I had to pick a favourite, it would be seeing Oasis with (my partner) Paul in Toronto last year. It was one of those rare moments where you’re completely present and taking it all in. Oasis had been my favourite band for years, and they were the last band on my concert bucket list. Finally getting to see them live was something I’ll never forget. It meant so much to me that I even got a “Wonderwall” tattoo after the show to remember the experience. Q. What is your favourite movie? A. I’m not sure I have one favourite movie because I’m not really someone who watches the same movie more than once. That said, “The Lion King” is probably my all-time favourite. I’ve watched countless kids’ movies over the years because of my boys, and I tried to get them into “The Lion King,” but I don’t think either one of them would say it’s in their top 10. Q. How do you like to relax? A. Honestly… I don’t! But if I actually took the time to relax, I’d make a big plate of nachos, curl up on the couch, and binge-watch Netflix. That’s my idea of a perfect, no responsibilities kind of evening. Q. Who would play you in a movie about your life? A. I’d pick Mila Kunis. She’s one of my favourite actresses, she’s funny, and she doesn’t seem to take herself too seriously. Plus, let’s be honest: she’s gorgeous. If someone is going to play me in a movie, I might as well come out looking good! Q. What is your greatest fear? A. Public bathrooms with just one toilet and a sink. The door always seems to be a mile away, and I never trust that little “Occupied” lock. I’m always convinced someone’s going to walk in on me. The panic is very real! Q. What is your favourite quote? A. “I don’t suffer from insanity. I enjoy every minute of it.” Q. What’s something you recently learned or discovered? A. That cats are actually pretty awesome! I was always a dog person. I’d always had dogs and even fostered them. But this year, my kids convinced me to get a kitten, and I totally get the hype now. I still love dogs, but cats are a lot easier than I expected, and have so much personality. Q. What is the best advice you got from a parent or mentor? A. My mom always said, “This too shall pass.” It’s something I’ve carried with me through both the good times and the hard ones. It’s a simple reminder that no situation lasts forever, and better days are always ahead. Q. What would you say is your best quality, and what would you say your worst quality is? A. My best quality? I can function on almost no sleep. Years of morning radio will do that! My worst quality? I worry too much. I’m definitely an overthinker. Q. What will you do on your next vacation? A. My next vacation will hopefully be Disney with my boys. There’s nothing better than watching their faces light up and seeing the magic through their eyes. I know it’s not exactly a relaxing vacation — it’s probably one of the busiest trips you can take — but I wouldn’t have it any other way. Q. What advice would you give to your 12-year-old self? A. Save your money and travel. You can always buy more stuff later, but you won’t always have the same opportunities to see the world. And trust me, life isn’t getting any cheaper! Q. Who would join you for your dream dinner party? A. Paul and my two boys, without a doubt. Family is everything to me. And if it’s my dream dinner party, I’m also assuming the boys actually get along for the whole meal! Sign up here for our morning newsletter, our breaking news and our new Telegram This Week newsletters to get more in-depth coverage of the stories that matter most in Newfoundland and Labrador, right in your inbox.