Actress Candace Cameron Bure opened up about confidence, personal growth, and leadership in her marriage to former professional athlete Valeri Bure during a preview for Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test. The clip, released ahead of the show’s October 15 episode, captured the 50-year-old star reflecting on how years of following direction have shaped her life and relationships.
A Tearful Confession on Special Forces
During the intense Fox reality competition, Cameron Bure became emotional while discussing her perceived lack of leadership skills. Speaking to the show’s directing staff, she expressed disappointment regarding her performance in a challenge and connected those feelings to her lifelong background in the entertainment industry.
“It just was a disappointment,” Cameron Bure said in the preview clip. “Honestly, the more I keep thinking about this, I’m really good at taking directions. I’ve been taking direction my whole life just being a kid actor.”
She also pointed to the long-standing dynamic in her marriage. Cameron Bure was 18 years old when she met Valeri, who was 20 at the time. The couple eventually married in June 1996 after being introduced by her Full House co-star Dave Coulier at a charity hockey game.
Living With an Alpha and Being a Beta
Reflecting on their nearly three decades together, Cameron Bure described her husband as a natural leader shaped by his career as a professional hockey player and Olympian. Now 52, Valeri handles many aspects of daily life for the family.
“I live with an alpha and I am a beta,” she shared while wiping away tears. “He does everything for me because he’s a good leader. I realized today, I don’t lead at all. I don’t feel confident in my voice.”
Despite recognizing her comfort in a supporting role, the actress emphasized that participating in Special Forces motivated her to push past her boundaries and find greater personal independence. “I do have a spirit in me and so at this age, I really wanted to see if I could push it. I want to step up,” she added.
Lessons Learned from Reality Television
Cameron Bure previously admitted that the brutal physical and mental demands of Special Forces led to far more tears than she anticipated, particularly during the intimidating interrogation sessions. Beyond facing her fears under pressure, the competition forced her to reevaluate how she interacts with others in high-stakes environments.
“My biggest takeaway was that I was not as good of a teammate as I hoped I would be,” she explained. Experiencing a fight-or-flight response during team challenges left her disappointed when she felt fear got the better of her.
However, she noted that the demanding experience ultimately provided valuable insights that she intends to carry forward into her everyday life. “I came home from the experience having learned that I could be a better teammate and just apply that to life,” she said. “I could apply that at home with my husband, as a mom to my kids and as a friend to my friends’ relationships. So, I’m glad that I did the show.”
Family Life and Recent Milestones
Candace and Valeri share three adult children: Natasha, Lev, and Maksim. The family recently celebrated major milestones, welcoming their first grandchildren into the family. Their daughter Natasha and her husband, Bradley Steven Perry, welcomed a daughter named Winnie, while their son Lev and his wife, Elliott, welcomed a son named Bond.
While the couple has built a long-lasting marriage rooted in shared commitments and traditional complementary roles, Cameron Bure’s candid reflections on Special Forces highlight an ongoing personal journey toward building inner confidence and discovering her own independent voice.
