Candace Kita – Women’s Safety Advocate

It’s been awhile since we’ve caught up with actress and model Candace Kita. The last time we touched base, she was co-starring in “I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry” with Adam Sandler and Kevin James. Today, she’s continuing her acting career having just wrapped two films: “Christmas in Beverly Hills” and “Do Me a Solid”. And she’s currently in pre-production on the martial arts film, “War of the Dragon”.

Kita is also the author of the upcoming book, “The Hottie Handbook: A Girl’s category_ide to Safety. This is a safety primer for women of all ages. Topics include travel safety, surfing the internet, dating, online dating, campus safety, workplace safety and keeping your personal information private. We interviewed Candace about her book and her interest in women’s safety:

ASIANCE: Did you write “The Hottie Handbook” with only beautiful women in mind?

Candace: No. As a sexist term used to describe beautiful young women, I realize the term “hottie” has had negative connotations. However, I want to reclaim “hottie” to describe any woman that is getting attention, wanted or unwanted, from the opposite sex. This is a book for any woman and for all ages.

ASIANCE: What type of research did you do to write “The Hottie Handbook”?

Candace: I’ve spent the past five years researching inappropriate behavior. My research included meetings with the FBI, LAPD Threat Management Unit, threat management specialists and numerous interviews with women from all walks of life. I interviewed not only actresses and models, but housewives, school teachers, stay-at-home moms and career women.

ASIANCE: In “The Hottie Handbook,” you’re pretty blunt and straightforward. Do you think this will offend some readers?

Candace: It might. But one of the main ideas I convey in “The Hottie Handbook” is understanding the motives behind courtesy bias – that is, the tendency to tell people what you think they want to hear in order to avoid hurting their feelings.

As young women, we are taught to be nice, kind and sweet. We learn to be accommodating. Polite is good; being impolite is bad. We don’t want to refuse the guy who wants our phone number, even though we’re not interested. We don’t want to appear “rude,” “stuck up” or “snobby.” But if a weirdo is intent on playing hardball with you, you need to fight back. You need to learn how to react properly in an uncomfortable or threatening situation. Time-appropriate bitchiness is a good thing. We need to be aware of people’s underlying motives. And remember, inappropriate behavior is someone making you so uncomfortable that you feel the need to comply or respond in hopes this person will stop their actions toward you.

ASIANCE: If there was one safety tip that you would want readers to get from reading your book, what would it be?

Candace: If someone is behaving inappropriately toward you, don’t let them have the upper hand. Remember to listen to your gut instincts, sixth sense or woman’s intuition. If someone appears to want something from you, they do. Don’t second-guess yourself; it’s really that simple.

ASIANCE: What types of safety issues are addressed in “The Hottie Handbook?”

Candace: Topics include dating, travel, surfing the internet, car safety, safety at home, online dating, campus life and safety in the workplace.

ASIANCE: You have played sexy women throughout your career. Some of your acting roles include playing Mel Gibson’s girlfriend in “Complete Savages,” a sexy Hooters girl in “I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry” and a cheerleader in “The Bad News Bears.” Do you think this sends the wrong message to young women?

Candace: No. Being sexy and beautiful does not preclude your right to be safe.

ASIANCE: Do you think celebrities like Jessica Simpson and Paris Hilton are teaching them to be sexual too early? Do you think this sends the wrong message to men?

Candace: Jessica Simpson and Paris Hilton are going to be who they are and I’m not here to change them. They are among the current icons for fashion, music and pop culture. I’m certain Mae West was racy for her era. They are not sending any more of a wrong message to us than Marilyn Monroe or Jayne Mansfield did in their time. “The Hottie Handbook” doesn’t judge current cultural icons. Rather, it deals with keeping women safe in today’s modern world of online dating, cyber stalking, cyberbullying and identity theft.

ASIANCE: Are you a feminist?

Candace: Yes. Gone are the days of burning bras and no makeup. I embrace beauty. But I believe being beautiful or sexy does not give anyone the right to behave inappropriately towards you.

ere is a video of Candace’s charity, Hotties With a Heart, when we were invited to the Bob Hope USO to welcome USMC troops being deployed to bases around the US.

ASIANCE: Your book is a “handbook.” What is the difference between this and a regular book?

Candace: I wrote “The Hottie Handbook” as a collection of top 10 lists to make it easier to use. Going on a trip? Flip to the Travel section and look up the top 10 list that pertains to your situation. Read it and off you go.

ASIANCE: Are all of the stories in your book true?

Candace: Yes. They come from more than five years of interviews with women from many different walks of life. The names and locations have been changed, but the stories are candid and real.

ASIANCE: Is there anything else you would like to say in this interview?

Candace: Yes, thank you so much for taking the time to check back with me. I’m going to be overhauling my website during the next few months so please take a peek soon for a brand new look! www.candacekita.com.