Candace Bushnell: The True Inspiration for SATC's Carrie Bradshaw

Most fans of Sex and the City know that the iconic show was based on Candace Bushnell's weekly column in The New York Observer, but did you know just how closely Carrie Bradshaw mirrors Bushnell herself? This video uncovers Bushnell's fascinating story and explores her real-life inspirations, including the true Mr. Big and the journey that turned her writing into a cultural phenomenon. If you're a SATC fan or love behind-the-scenes stories, this deep dive into Candace Bushnell's life is a must-watch.
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source:
Candace Bushnell, Sex and the City,
Grand Central Publishing; Reissue edition (August 1, 2006)
Jennifer Keishin Armstrong, Sex and the City and Us: How Four Single Women Changed the Way We Think, Live and Love (Simon & Schuster, 2018)
www.nytimes.com/2018/06/06/st...
www.elle.com/culture/movies-t...
www.newyorker.com/culture/the...
candacebushnell.com/wp-conten...
www.theguardian.com/film/2017...

[@2stayweird]

"I had no money, I made about 2,000 a month"... not me over here immediately googling and seeing "Adjusted for inflation, $2,000 in 1977 is equal to $10,541 in 2024." The math aint mathin 🤣

[@TiffanyandMor]

Goddamn. She must have been blowing money on shoes like Carrie.

[@gregorywiederecht]

I don't know, in NYC? That might not have gone very far

[@NoOne-wt3sv]

@@gregorywiederechtit definitely did go far. Most rent started at $600 for a studio/1br. That was definitely doable

[@googleuser7454]

thats whats confusing me. even in NY, $2000 a month sounds pretty good. maybe I'm wrong or she was exaggerating

[@nataliaalfonso2662]

But she wasn’t talking about when she first arrived in 1977. She was talking about when she lived with her friend Ann, as shown in the picture, in 1988.

[@wrayoflighttube]

We didn’t have a lot of money. I rode horses in my childhood. You had a lot of money.

[@princessalliecat8]

My mom and I don’t have a lot of money AT ALL… I’ve had my one horse for 7 years. It’s called making sacrifices for the things you love

[@mockingbelles]

@@princessalliecat8 I don't begrudge you your passions and certainly not implying you're some secret privileged millionaire - but not having money at all isn't sacrificing for things you love, it's sacrifice for the things you need. It's surviving. I think OP is just commenting on the absurdity of saying she didn't grow up with alot of money because she rode 'backyard' horses. She didn't not grow up with money - she just grew up with less money than her rich neighbours.

[@honeyvitagliano3227]

FAAAACTS🤣 literally my exact thought

[@honeyvitagliano3227]

@@mockingbellesTHIS 👆🏻👆🏻👆🏻

[@colzephyr3562]

I grew up poor and we rode horses.

[@Morenita570]

When I went to Uni there were a lot of solidly middle class and upper middle class girlies that cried poor because they were in proximity to the old school moneyed type and the nueve rich. I was a fully black immigrant from the hood who’s dad worked (3) jobs so my mom could raise us like ‘Everybody Hates Chris’ but their dad was a citizen with one really good job. I was between the working poor and solidly working class. My mom would work Summers to pay for school pictures, camps etc., and quit. All this to say two working parents that own a home in the suburbs of Connecticut with horseback riding. I understand how she felt like a sudo ‘poor’ 😊

[@kgal1298]

That sounds like a girl I knew who grew up in Santa Barbara her dad is a millionaire and she grew up very well off, but claimed she wasn't spoiled because she had friends with much much more money.

[@vivafree5070]

Why do ppl tell their whole life stories just to make 1 point on the internet nowadays.

[@rai2423]

@@vivafree5070Why not?

[@klae7058]

🙄Roechelle famously says" my man has 2 jobs" and during every major holiday Julius wpuld pick up a 3rd 😑 R/1stworldproblems

[@Morenita570]

@@klae7058 that show is famous with fully black Afro Caribbeans, Afro Brazilians and Afro Latinos. My point was that he had an excellent MAIN job with benefits that he could retire from as a legal American citizen. All of my dad’s (3) jobs were under the table.

[@TeresaLeandro]

Carrie didn’t use her oven to store shoes. It was sweaters. 🤣

[@peekaboots01]

Either way. It's excessive. It's sick.

[@adamp6320]

Charlotte I believe does say " you can't put this in your column" at one point in the series, I think in season 2? So they do know and do object sometimes.

[@KasiaSopniewska]

good observation! thanks for pointing that out xx

[@mayln163]

I remember that, it was when she slept with a rabbi

[@damien706]

Love this. I remember my mum and her friends talking about how great the book was, and then the series came out!! I must read it... obviously I've watched the series.. and re-watched after every break up ❤

[@sheila1391]

Love your videos!! What a cultural shift SATC was!

[@KasiaSopniewska]

thank you so much for the love! 💖 SATC truly was a cultural shift, redefining how we talk about relationships, friendships, and life in general. glad to see it still resonates with so many!

[@bookisland6515]

i watched satc when it went on netflix and then saw the book on sale after i finished the show so obviously i bought it. i read about 3/4 of the way and honestly did not like it enough to continue, but maybe i’ll finish it. either way, this answered so many questions i had about candace bushnell and the reality of it all, thank you!

[@lisawende5161]

It was a hard, horrible read, I couldn't finish it either. She was so lucky someone bought it to make it a series. I won tickets to hear her speak, I was so excited, what a disappointment. Her speaking skills were as bad as her writing, IMO

[@valentinaflores2823]

​@@lisawende5161 well you saved me some time, and money

[@chelsearivas4064]

I’ve been waiting for someone to make this video

[@annaequare]

it's so cool how Bushnell and SJP actually look so alike, great casting

[@Ad_Astra2023]

Carrie is the epitome of vanity, and yet most women could relate to her once in a while.

[@ann5765]

This is my favorite series ever. I still watch it!!

[@sarahelo9656]

This was a wonderful video! I love how the show writers caught little details from the book (ie the coat and Samantha’s intro being almost wore for word the book). I’m happy for Candace, the ending of the show should have been Carries :) but ngl, I love Mr Big

[@ArqEugene]

I loved Lipstick Jungle the series, this video made me want to read all of her books

[@KasiaSopniewska]

I have to admit I haven't see this series yet. would you recommend it?

[@ArqEugene]

@@KasiaSopniewska I would recommend it but, I haven't watched in a while so I don't know if it aged well. It only lasted 2 seasons, the leads were played by Kim Raver (Teddy on Grey's), Brooke Shields and Lindsey Price, and it was kinda SATC but focusing also in the careers of the characters, not only relationships.

[@Morenita570]

@@KasiaSopniewska it didn’t age well. They came off too pretentious. I tried to watch but couldn’t finish.

[@kgal1298]

I was so annoyed when they cancelled that. So much potential.

[@kristy_Henry]

loved the editing ❤ great video.

[@libelula1715]

So fascinating how so many women seem to create an alter ego, to let out the side not as socially acceptable..

[@KasiaSopniewska]

*mic drop* what a brilliant observation!

[@especubillos]

what a perfect video this was, you should be so proud of yourself my angel 💝 this was phenomenal. The editing, the mixed media, the writing, script, your voice, storytelling and the overall vibe is just perfect so beautiful

[@Name-tn3md]

I wish it was winter 4 me too

[@pliktl]

This was SO GOOD ❤❤ Thank you for creating this 😊

[@esikazemese]

I had no idea, this was such a good video!

[@GabriellaLascano]

What a well done video!! Really enjoyed

[@melissamoonchild9216]

how sychronistic, Ive been revisiting SATC the past couple of days. You did an EXCELLENT job with this video, very insightful & well researched. I love your voice & accent too, its lovely. Thank you for making this, very fun watch. Also if you grew up in Connecticut riding horses, and your family didn't talk about money, its probably because you had it 😅

[@AnahataMaryjane]

thank you! very informing and interesting!

[@SB_41]

MPK actually discussed in an interview that SJP thought of casting Mischa as Petrovsky one morning while she was in the shower.

[@StrawberryCakeStudiosYT]

Hey, I’ve been watching your content for the last month. I loved this little essay form on Bushnell. It’s very informed.

[@KasiaSopniewska]

thank you so much! i really appreciate it xx

[@StrawberryCakeStudiosYT]

You’re so welcome - happy Fourth of July! 💖💖

[@havva8675]

Only in the 1990s you could land a career job without a college degree. Impossible now aday. You need at least a bachelors degree and in most masters degrees in the entre level.

[@theladyprincess]

i'm early! was anticipating this video for weeks now

[@KasiaSopniewska]

i hope it that the video didn’t disappoint 😬

[@theladyprincess]

@@KasiaSopniewska i loved it! i learned much more about candance through this, also i remember when lipstick jungle was a short-lived series. i wish it got more than a season, i could be mistaken but it probably got cancelled due to the strike in 2007-2008

[@RyouNoMegami]

Always enjoy your videos and insight on SATC

[@KasiaSopniewska]

thank you I appreciate that xx

[@ann5765]

I love all of the ladies in SATC

[@Amytianaglobal]

Oh I love your voice and reading. New fan.

[@JaVi-wf1gl]

This show made me wanting to be single and move to a big city!

[@KasiaSopniewska]

yes!!!! and drink cosmos and wear manolos XD

[@ImnotassweetasIusedtobe]

Bushnell got scammed out of an amazing financial deal by Michael Patrick King and HBO.

[@KasiaSopniewska]

how come? that's really surprising to hear. could you please elaborate?

[@writerchick3202]

She only made $60,000 for the book rights & gets no royalties from the show or movies.

[@isidoraveronica]

@@writerchick3202wow

[@lilimelli6974]

​@writerchick3202 Yikessss that's a scam

[@ann5765]

Candace and I were both born on December 1st

[@ann5765]

Loved this video❤

[@TeresaToscanoPhx]

Carrie Bradshaw‘s apartment was in the upper EAST side of New York City, not the west side.

[@KasiaSopniewska]

yes, you are right! sorry, we all make mistakes. thanks for pointing that out xx

[@lalakuma9]

The fact that it's Upper East Side makes it even more unrealistic 😶

[@eg5171]

I just visited it in the West Village or you mean in the series?

[@cormoranstrike1544]

It’s a good day with a new Kasia video

[@KasiaSopniewska]

thank you 💕 happy Sunday

[@missdenisebee]

Honestly, I always hated Carrie & Mr. Big’s relationship, back when I watched when SatC was originally airing. It reminded me of my mom & her former longtime boyfriend, who she dated for years despite him being toxic af & having a wife AND other gf. I just couldn’t feel anything but dislike for Carrie & Big, and I hated them ending up together.

[@ann5765]

I agree Candace. You and Mr Big would have never made it. ❤

[@gabbyyates9351]

Candace is so gorgeous! She reminds me of Samantha, not Carrie.

[@mesmerizing9876]

My thoughts exactly

[@IlijanaLija]

Sammmmmmeeee

[@silverfeetsue]

Met her and went to the same ballet school her ex husband went to

[@KasiaSopniewska]

wow! how was she?

[@silverfeetsue]

@@KasiaSopniewska she a sweet heart. I felt bad for the heart ache she went through. She married a younger guy named Charles Askgaurd. Look him up. He danced with New York City Ballet. Unfortunately he had an affair with another dancer. She wrote a book. And Candace pulled a boss move by outing the mistress in public. We ran in the same social circle. Try reading the articles Candace wrote before the book. The NYC party scene was much different than it is now. I lived it during the late 80’s till early 2000’s. I think this is why so many of the up and coming generations fail to understand the SATC show. And yes, if you check out some of Candace interviews she did get screwed when it came off to selling the rights to the show. The first and second season were true to the articles and book. By the third and so on they had kicked her to the curb and taken the character into a whole new direction. She said that she based all the characters in different friends in her life. So Carrie is a mixture of her and other women she knows. And yes there was a real Mr. Big. But she didn’t marry him in real life. He married someone else.

[@maddievic2]

Really great video

[@mammi3577]

It was really entertaining video, your graphic style is so chic 💅💄⚘️

[@aliyaheubanks4477]

Love this love carrie ❤️ 😅

[@lexistenceestailleurs]

Omg i love this !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@paulinajuliadiana]

loooooved the video! so well researched and informative. also maybe a weird question but are you polish?? judging by your name and surname haha

[@KasiaSopniewska]

yes I am polish, but I live in Switzerland, which you can def hear in my accent :) hope that clears things up

[@JaVi-wf1gl]

I never knew!!!!!

[@goddessnadiya]

I love your videos!!!! ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@KasiaSopniewska]

thank you! i appreciate that so much 💕

[@JimmyWood10]

Mr Big and Carrie was me and my ex. On the contrary, we did not get back together. However I am 32 and I wonder if I will, this show amuses me because I see myself in every character.

[@Daydreamerr13]

9:23 LMAO that was too provocative and now we got onlyfanz and shit at the drop of our hands , funny how that’s light work compared to today

[@raymondsmith9886]

Rent in late 70s was probably 200-300 dollars. Maybe $500 for a nice place. If you get a nice 1 bedroom in Manhattan in the late 90s for $900 then i must be right

[@lexistenceestailleurs]

😍😍😍😍

[@liortoledo8814]

Carrie lives in the east side not west

[@KasiaSopniewska]

thanks for the correction. Carrie does indeed live on the Upper East Side, not the West. appreciate you pointing that out xx

[@Jennifer-my5dm]

I loved the "Sex and the City" TV series, but I couldn't get into the book at all.

[@KasiaSopniewska]

I get it, the book is both deep and shallow, which makes it hard to read. with few recurring characters, it's tough to form an emotional connection with anyone.

[@Jennifer-my5dm]

@@KasiaSopniewska Exactly. I related to the characters on the TV show, but the book left me cold.

[@eduardojimenez9984]

Upper East Side. That’s all I’m going to say.

[@raymondsmith9886]

Didn’t this woman come out and say it was a mistake she didn’t marry and regrets her life

[@AC-bk1jg]

No she was married age regrets not having kids

[@anastasia10017]

Carrie did not live on the Upper West Side

[@margy6431]

I love sex and the city...but I think the inspiration comes from John John Kennedy Jr ( Mr Big) and Carolyn Bessette. For some reason they've always reminded me of them

[@chunellemariavictoriaespan8752]

11:30 =Low-scale got the TS treatment...

[@vivienvortanz7557]

Carrie lived on the Upper East Side…

[@ReflectingMoon]

I did not watch SATC and I have only seen videos on youtube reviewing the series but I found the Carrie/Candace personality to be materialistic, narcissistic and egotistical. The reason she spent so much money on clothes was to attract a wealthy man who would save her from her less than ideal life. They were props to find status in someone else. It's sad to know so many young women and teenagers watched that series and probably learned to take on the same predatory behavior.

[@palomagoza5887]

Kinda looks like Catherine Winnyk

[@KasiaSopniewska]

you're so right!

[@Rubik_Bee]

So basically miss candy was a chronic PICK ME ...interesting

[@Morenita570]

@@Rubik_Bee Yes! She was a male identified ‘pick me’. And not like other girls ‘cool girl’ in her delulu mind.

[@Rubik_Bee]

@@Morenita570 Shaking my head

[@Morenita570]

@@Rubik_Bee they all end up getting got. Her Mr. Big slept with her while he courted and then married who he really wanted. And the ballet dancer (whose sexuality I question) ran off with her assistant. She’s a boomer and none of what she pushed on gen x worked. That’s why we’re in the midst of a dating reset.

[@louis.p808]

What’s the tapping in the video? Is it supposed to be a typewriter? Lol

[@cttea_]

Loved the show not the sex scenes I want to watch without it

[@bookisland6515]

why?

[@Adriana-tu2gt]

Carrie owned her apartment, it was not rent controlled

[@lilimelli6974]

The apartment was rent controlled but later up for sale.

[@everlynevins]

She didn't own her apartment until much later. Before, it was rented to her.

[@Mrs.Currie]

Rent controlled until she purchased it at the end of season 4 (or the end of season 5?).

[@silkenaria]

No wonder the character of Carrie is so obnoxious and somewhat boring, Bushnell is a Boomer.

[@thesecondYouTube]

Carrie is a character born in the late 60s like Miranda and Charlotte. Really well written gen Xers.

[@tahsina.c]

Nope gen x. But also how can someone be obnoxious and boring? 🤔

[@silkenaria]

Yes, the SATC foursome are GenX. The author, Candace Bushnell, is a Boomer. I genuinely loved Samantha's bravery and honesty, Miranda's intellect and sarcastic quips, Charlotte's love and loyalty to her friends. Carrie, however, just irks me with her inability to really be a good friend. She slut shames Samantha, condescends to Miranda, and expects Charlotte to come along and clean up her messes. How about the way she treats Aiden? And the constant screeching scream was definitely obnoxious. Side note, you scream like that over every little thing, then when you are actually in trouble, no one is going to take it seriously. I appreciate that others have a different point of view, this is just mine. I didn't care for Carrie, I thought she was prudish, and for all her preaching about friendship, a very surface level friend.

[@thesecondYouTube]

The boomer is Samantha. Born in 1958. I wish someone could do a series about Samantha arriving in New York in 1975 - 1976 when she was a poor nobody from Florida.

[@zoejune9360]

As a Millennial, I never found SATC particularly relatable. The intense focus on the "norm" being heterosexual and settling down to marry and have children just doesn't exist so much now (at least where I have lived in Australia and the UK) and the female-identifying people in my life have never spent an inordinate amount of time agonising over their dating lives. Neither have I. People are much more focused on careers, hobbies, travel etc. Romance just isn't this be-all-and-end-all thing anymore.