Candice Glover
She broke the American Idol mold with her resilient three-audition journey and a voice that blended gospel power with raw R&B soul.
Born 1989 (age 37)·American singer & actress·Birthday: November 22·Millennials
Biography
Candice Glover emerged not from a storybook audition but from a grinding, years-long persistence. Hailing from St. Helena Island, South Carolina, she first tried out for American Idol in 2010 and again in 2011, facing rejection before finally securing a spot in the live shows on her third attempt in 2013. This tenacity defined her victory on the show's twelfth season, making her the first winner to have auditioned three times. Her win was less a sudden coronation and more a hard-earned culmination. Her post-victory debut album, 'Music Speaks,' offered a mature, soulful sound that felt distinctly her own, a departure from the pop-centric releases of many Idol alumni. While mainstream chart dominance proved elusive, Glover carved a niche as a respected vocalist, later showcasing her talents on Broadway in 'Home for the Holidays' and demonstrating that her artistry extended far beyond a television competition.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Candice was born in 1989, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Candice Was Born
The biggest hits of 1989
#1 Movie
Batman
Best Picture
Driving Miss Daisy
#1 TV Show
Roseanne
Candice's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1989Born
Berlin Wall falls; Tiananmen Square protests
Gas: $1.00/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Look Away" — ChicagoBest Picture: Driving Miss Daisy
1994Started school
Nelson Mandela elected president of South Africa
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $90,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"The Sign" — Ace of BaseBest Picture: Forrest Gump
2002Became a teenager
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2005Could drive
Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans; YouTube launches
Gas: $2.30/galHome: $167,500Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"We Belong Together" — Mariah CareyBest Picture: Crash
2007Could vote
iPhone released; Great Recession begins
Gas: $2.80/galHome: $172,600Min wage: $5.85/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Irreplaceable" — BeyonceBest Picture: No Country for Old Men
2010Turned 21
Deepwater Horizon oil spill; iPad launched
Gas: $2.79/galHome: $147,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Tik Tok" — KeshaBest Picture: The King's Speech
2019Turned 30
First image of a black hole; Hong Kong protests
Gas: $2.60/galHome: $224,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Old Town Road" — Lil Nas XBest Picture: Parasite
2026Age 37 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Became the first American Idol winner to have auditioned for the show three times before reaching the live rounds.
- Won the twelfth season of American Idol in 2013, defeating Kree Harrison.
- Released her debut studio album 'Music Speaks' in 2014, which reached number 14 on the Billboard 200.
- Performed the national anthem at Game 5 of the 2013 NBA Finals.
Did You Know?
She performed a duet with former Idol judge Jennifer Hudson during the show's finale.
She is an alumna of the University of South Carolina Beaufort.
Her musical influences include Fantasia Barrino, another American Idol winner known for her powerful voice.
She made her Broadway debut in 2016 in the musical 'Home for the Holidays'.
“I just want to make music that speaks to people, that’s why I called the album Music Speaks.”
