How did Candiace Dillard Bassett enter 2026? With a cozy night in with her husband, Chris Bassett.
The Real Housewives of Potomac alum shared a peek at her New Year’s celebration in a January 1 Instagram video filmed from her family’s Maryland home. The Reel showed Candiace and Chris lounging in the family room as they watched the ball-drop telecast. Seconds into the clip, Candiace sat up and began pumping her hands in the air, suggesting the countdown to 2026 had begun. Chris then tilted his head back as Candiace leaned in to kiss him.
The couple returned their attention to the TV as Candiace sang a few lines from Frank Sinatra’s “New York, New York,” and exchanged a few words with Chris. However, fans could barely make out their comments, as a loud humming sound drowned out their exchange.
“You can’t hear us bc I forgot Jett‘s monitor was on,” Candiace wrote, referring to her and Chris’ son, Jett Maxwell Lee Bassett, “but here’s our NYE’s party on the couch. Hope you’re all safe, warm and happy. Happy New Year.”
Candiace Dillard Bassetts reflects on parenting with Chris Bassett
The celebration went down about 15 months after Candiace became a first-time mom. She gave birth to Jett on October 3, 2024, but did not share the news until six weeks later. Candiace confirmed the family addition in an interview with People magazine, saying she and Chris were over the moon.
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“He is just the cutest little thing,” she said about her then-newborn. “Chris and I couldn’t be happier. It’s so cliché to say, but he’s brought such joy to our lives in ways I never would have been able to describe before. It’s pure love! I just look at him and envision all the adventures we’re going to have. Throughout my pregnancy, when I would talk to him in my stomach, I would say, ‘I can’t wait to see who you’re going to be.’ And that’s been the joy in my heart that’s continued after his birth. It’s exciting to think about. I’m so ready for a lifetime of being on the sidelines, cheering him on.”
How Chris Bassett helped Candiace Dillard Bassett’s entry into motherhood
Candiace has since shared regular updates on her role as a new mom and the ways Chris stepped up throughout their new chapter.
“He has three children (from previous relationships), and I’ve seen him be an amazing father to his kids,” she told The Daily Dish in 2025. “But, you know, a newborn is like a whole other ball of wax. It can be tiring, it can be exhausting, it can be unpredictable. So I was like, how is this about to be?”
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Thankfully, Candiace’s concerns quickly dissipated.
“[Chris], literally, is like, ‘Give me the baby. We’re going over here… The bottles are gonna be made like this. We’re gonna wash them like that,’” she continued. “He buys him toys and diapers. He’s in charge of formula. He has designated his task. He’s like an army soldier. He knew exactly what to do.”
Candiace Dillard Bassett competes in The Traitors Season 4
Just a week into 2026, Candiace reached another career milestone. She returned to the small screen for The Traitors Season 4, alongside a handful of other Bravolebs: The Real Housewives of Dubai‘s Caroline Stanbury, The Real Housewives of New York City alum Dorinda Medley, Top Chef host Kristen Kish, The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills alum Lisa Rinna, and The Real Housewives of Atlanta’s Porsha Williams.
Candiace spoke about the TV gig during the December 31 episode of her Undomesticated podcast, reassuring fans that it would “be a really good season.”
“I know I keep saying this, but truly, and today I had a conversation recently with one of my castmates, and it was just so funny to relive and kind of recalibrate where we were together,” she recalled. “And just like, the twilight zone of an experience that it was… Also, it just, like, reminded me of what I have always said about this cast is that we, our cast, is so awesome and so great. So I can’t wait for you guys to see it.”
The Traitors Season 4 premiered January 8 on Peacock.
Find out what Candiace had to say about possibly returning to RHOP.
