As the cameras cut away and the studio lights dimmed, Eric and Alicia moved away to give the siblings privacy and to also discuss how to navigate the next set of questions.
The commercial break provided a brief respite for the siblings and the audience, but the energy in the studio remained palpable.
Alone with Harry and Andy now, Candace felt a wave of relief wash over her. The initial anxiety of being on live television had given way to a strange sense of liberation. For the first time, she had spoken her truth openly, without shame or fear.
"Oh, my God! I can't believe I just told the whole world I was a stripper," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion.
Candace considered this, a flicker of hope rekindled in her eyes. Perhaps the shame she'd carried for so long was misplaced.
"And they didn't judge you," Andy pointed out, "In fact, Alicia seemed to think it was empowering."
