Born in Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. Nozomi Takao is a Japanese session singer and lyricist. As a solo singer, she used the name Candee. Nozomi has been also credited as Candy, Takao Candy Nozomi, and Hayashida Candy Nozomi. The singer Naoki Takao (高尾直樹) is her brother.

Debuted as a solo singer in 1988 with the album Candee on Taurus Records. Since then, she has been active as a backing vocalist, and has sung in the backing chorus for famous musicians such as Tatsuro Yamashita (山下達郎) and a rock band Sing Like Talking. She also sang in commercials for Coca-Cola and other companies.