Emeli Sande enjoys double win at Ivor Novello awards

May 16, 2013 Leave a Comment

Sande was not present to pick up her awards at the Grosvenor House hotel

Scottish singer-songwriter Emeli Sande has scooped two prizes at this year’s Ivor Novello songwriting awards.

Her hit song Next To Me was named best song musically and lyrically, and also won the prize for most performed work.

Other winners at Thursday’s ceremony in London included Noel Gallagher, Marc Almond, Justin Hayward and Randy Newman.

The annual awards, in their 58th year, celebrate songwriting and composing and are voted for by songwriters.

Sande, who was not present to pick up her awards at the Grosvenor House hotel, performed at the London 2012 opening and closing ceremonies.

Last month her album Our Version of Events beat a record set by The Beatles for the most consecutive weeks spent in the UK’s Top 10 by a debut album.

Calvin Harris, named songwriter of the year, called his accolade “easily the greatest achievement of my entire life”.

“I can’t believe I was even let in the door of this whole ceremony,” he said. “It feels like I shouldn’t be here.”

The DJ and producer made chart history last month by becoming the first artist to have eight Top 10 hits from one studio album, 18 Months.

Gallagher, who collected the award for outstanding song collection from The Kinks’ Ray Davies, said: “I’d like to thank anyone who’s ever played on any of my songs.”

Clutching his award backstage, the former Oasis star said: “I’ve got three kids, and if they ever show any interest in songwriting, I can pop that down on the table in front of them and say ‘give it your best shot’.”

The first award of the day – for best contemporary song – went to Pelican by The Maccabees.

Mercury Prize winners Alt-J won the award for best album with An Awesome Wave.

Almond, who was launched to fame by Soft Cell before enjoying a solo career, was given the inspiration award.

Moody Blues star Justin Hayward won the outstanding achievement prize, while US singer-songwriter Randy Newman – whose movie soundtracks include Toy Story – was given the international award.

By Tim Masters
Entertainment and arts correspondent, BBC News

Filed Under: Entertainment

Richter painting breaks record for living artist

May 15, 2013 Leave a Comment

Gerhard Richter set a new record as Francis Bacon’s work passes at auction. The hammer price excludes buyers premium.

A 1968 oil painting by German artist Gerhard Richter has set a new record in New York for the highest auction price achieved by a work by a living artist.

Richter’s photo-painting Domplatz, Mailand (Cathedral Square, Milan) sold for $37.1 million (£24.4 million) at Tuesday’s sale.

Tobias Meyer of Sotheby’s called the price “a major accomplishment”.

Richter, 81, also held the previous record for the top price fetched at auction by a living artist.

His abstract painting, Abstraktes Bild, sold for £21.3m in 2012.

Sotheby’s described Domplatz, Mailand, which depicts a cityscape painted in a style that suggests a blurred photograph, as a “masterpiece of 20th Century art” and the “epitome” of the artist’s 1960s photo-painting canon.

The price achieved was more than 10 times as much as the then-record $3.5m (£2.3m) it commanded at Sotheby’s in London 15 years ago.

Don Bryant, founder of Napa Valley’s Bryant Family Vineyard and the painting’s new owner, said the work “just knocks me over”.

Onement VI, a 1953 work by abstract expressionist painter Barnett Newman’s Onement VI, set a new record for the US artist after selling for $43.8m (£28.7m).

A Francis Bacon work that had been estimated to sell for as much as $40m (£26.2m) failed to attract a buyer.

BBC News

Filed Under: Entertainment

Great Gatsby kicks off Cannes Film Festival

May 15, 2013 Leave a Comment

The cast and director of The Great Gatsby braved the rain on the red carpet

Leonardo DiCaprio and director Baz Luhrmann have appeared on the red carpet in Cannes as their new film The Great Gatsby opens the annual film festival.

The movie, based on F Scott Fitzgerald’s novel, also stars British actress Carey Mulligan. Early reviews have been mixed though DiCaprio has been praised in the central role as bootlegger Jay Gatsby.

The 20 films in competition include movies by the Coen brothers and Roman Polanski.

DiCaprio – who worked with Luhrmann in his 1996 adaptation of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet – said that he read the book “in junior high school” but admitted “it didn’t quite connect with me”.

He said his recent reading of a first edition of the novel “just blew me away – it had so many meanings and nuances”.

“I remembered it being a very traditional love story of this man that was obsessed with this woman named Daisy,” he told BBC News.

“But it’s such an existential novel in a lot of ways. This guy is an eternal dreamer. He is a manifestation of his own dreams.”

DiCaprio said taking the lead role brought an “enormous pressure”.

“What is so great about this novel and why people still discuss it nearly a hundred years later and still have arguments about the meaning of each sentence and each word and each bit of symbolism, is because it’s left up to the interpretation of you as a reader.

“In a way it’s a recipe for disaster because so many people are going to say ‘that’s not how I felt Daisy should be or how Gatsby should be’.

“I just looked at it as an incredible character to take on, something that was subtle in its approach but had so much depth and meaning in every single line,” he said.

Of the uneven reviews coming from US critics, he added: “All you can do is try your best.

“You go to make these films, you’re off on location for months and months at a time, and all you can do is try your best. I know we did that for this film.

“Ultimately whether people embrace it or tear it apart is beyond anyone’s control. All you can do is dedicate yourself to making a great piece of art and that’s what we ultimately did.”

Luhrmann told the BBC: “When Fitzgerald died, his book was horribly criticised. He had very mixed reviews. Some extremely cruel. Some of the grand critics called him a clown.

“When he died, he was buying copies of his own book just so some sales would register. Fitzgerald had to suffer much crueller and more ill-informed criticisms than I have. He tried to write the great American novel. I wish he knew that he did.”

The Australian director added: “The other night we had a premiere and completely out of the blue a woman came out of the audience. She was quite old and frail. She held me by the hand and said, ‘I’ve come to see what you did with my grandfather’s book.’ And of course I went cold, because I didn’t know it was Fitzgerald’s granddaughter.

“She said, ‘All his life he’s been maligned because you can’t transfer first person narrative into film and in my opinion you have done it, and he would be very proud’.”

Festival debut
No British films have been selected in the official competition though several debut filmmakers are being featured in other festival strands, such as the Cinefondation, which selects pieces made by film students from across the world.

UK director Paul Wright also makes his festival debut with For Those in Peril, a drama set in a remote Scottish village. It will be screened as part of Critics’ Week.

This year’s jury, which decides the Palme d’Or – the festival’s top prize – is being headed by US director Steven Spielberg and includes Nicole Kidman and Oscar-winner Christoph Waltz.

Other films in competition include Steven Soderbergh’s Liberace biopic, Behind the Candelabra; Nicolas Winding Refn’s Only God Forgives, starring Ryan Gosling; Sideways director Alexander Payne’s latest film Nebraska; and Jim Jarmusch’s vampire film Only Lovers Left Alive, starring British actress Tilda Swinton.

The 2012 winner, Amour, directed by Michael Haneke, went on to win the Oscar for best foreign language film.

Last year’s event saw more than 4,600 films exhibited over 10 days, with a huge rise in films from Asia.

China is now the second biggest film market in the world, following the US and recently co-produced the year’s biggest hit film Iron Man 3.

Michael Douglas, Matt Damon, Ryan Gosling and Alain Delon are among the stars expected in the French resort for the festival which ends on 26 May.

BBC News

Filed Under: Entertainment

Pageant to form part of feast celebrations in Toucarie

May 15, 2013 1 Comment

Nicole Morson recently competed in the Dominica Next Supermodel Competition. She will represent Lagoon in the Ms Cottage Constituency Pageant. Photo credit: Dominica Next Supermodel Inc

A pageant competition is the newest addition to the annual feast of St Anthony which will be held in June of this year.

Five ladies are expected to compete for the Ms Cottage Constituency title on June 14th, 2013 from 7pm in the northern village of Toucarie.

Director of the pageant and president of the Cottage Constituency Association Catherine Karam, in an interview with Dominica Vibes explained that the pageant is being hosted as a means of bringing residents of that constituency together.

“In past times we used to have people just dancing and drinking and stuff like that, so we felt that we wanted to do some different whereby we could incorporate the young persons to expose their talents and stuff and we first thought of a concert and then we extended it to a pageant,” she said.

The Cottage Constituency is made up of the villages of Gillet, Tan Tan, Savanne Paille, Lagoon, Cottage, Clifton, Toucarie and Capuchin. Hence there will be one young lady representing each hamlet, except in one instance where three hamlets were combined due to their sizes.

The contestants are;
Shernel Thomas who will represent Gillet, Tan Tan and Savanne Paille
Nicole Morson representing Lagoon
Vershantti Daniel representing Cottage
Kiana Tonge representing Toucarie and
Sheryl Lamothe representing Clifton.

While the organizers were hoping that six contestants would participate, they have not been able to find a young lady to represent Capuchin because it is said to be a very religious community.

The ladies will compete in three segments; talent, beach wear and evening wear/question and answer segment.

Usually in beauty pageants there is a swim wear round, however they have chosen to have a beach wear segment because some people have reservations regarding swim wear. There will also be an introductory round, but it will not be judged.

One of the main aims of the pageant is to bring the young people together, to help boast their confidence, leadership skills and self esteem.

“We’ve had elections and politics and all those things play a role in distracting young persons and we felt that that would be a way to get all of us in one place, by bringing all the different hamlets together,” Ms Karam stated.

It is anticipated that the winner will receive several gifts. While it has not yet been confirmed, Ms Karam explained that they are considering educational gifts which could probably be a scholarship, or some sort of educational material like a computer.

“It’s going to be a show of class, we’re going to make it really nice,” Ms Karam emphasized.

One of Dominica’s bouyon bands will also provide entertainment at the event; however it has not yet been finalized as to which one it will be.

Here are the photographs of the contestants shot by Ambo Visuals:

[Show as slideshow]

Dominica Vibes News

Filed Under: Entertainment, Local, News

Angelina Jolie has double mastectomy

May 14, 2013 Leave a Comment

Angelina Jolie says she hopes her story will be helpful to other women

Hollywood actress Angelina Jolie has undergone a double mastectomy to reduce her chances of getting breast cancer.

The 37-year-old mother of six has explained her reasons for having the surgery in the New York Times.

She said her doctors estimated she had an 87% risk of breast cancer and a 50% risk of ovarian cancer. “I decided to be proactive and to minimise the risk as much I could,” she wrote.

She said the process began in February and was completed by the end of April.

Risk reduced

In an article entitled My Medical Choice, Ms Jolie explained that her mother fought cancer for nearly a decade and died at the age of 56.

She said she had sought to reassure her children that the same illness would not take her away from them, “but the truth is I carry a ‘faulty’ gene, BRCA1, which sharply increases my risk of developing breast cancer and ovarian cancer”.

She said that once she “knew that this was my reality”, she had taken the decision to undergo the nine weeks of complex surgery required to have a double mastectomy.

Her chances of developing breast cancer have now dropped from 87% to under 5%, she said.

She praised her partner, Brad Pitt, for his love and support throughout the procedure, and said she was reassured that her children had found nothing in the results “that makes them uncomfortable”.

“I feel empowered that I made a strong choice that in no way diminishes my femininity,” she said.

“For any woman reading this, I hope it helps you to know you have options,” Ms Jolie went on to say.

“I want to encourage every woman, especially if you have a family history of breast or ovarian cancer, to seek out the information and medical experts who can help you through this aspect of your life, and to make your own informed choices.”

The award-winning actress and director is also a long-time supporter of humanitarian causes. She is currently a UN special envoy.

During the period she was undergoing the double mastectomy procedure, Ms Jolie visited the Democratic Republic of Congo with UK Foreign Secretary William Hague – and attended the G8 summit of foreign ministers in London – to raise awareness over sexual violence in conflict.

She also helped launch a charity to fund girls’ education set up by the Pakistani schoolgirl activist Malala Yousafzai who was shot by the Taliban last October.

Ms Jolie has three biological children and three adopted children with Brad Pitt.

Emma Parlons, a 38-year-old mother from London who had the operation three years ago, welcomed Angelina Jolie’s decision to raise awareness of the issue.

Ms Parlons said her risk of getting breast cancer was the same as the actress’s. “If somebody said your flight across the Atlantic was 86% likely to come down, you wouldn’t get on that plane would you?” she said in an explanation of her reasons for having the operation.

Professor Gareth Evans, of the Manchester Breast Centre in Britain, said the two genes BRCA1 and BRCA2 (breast cancer one and two) “were the first two majorly breast cancer pre-disposing genes that were identified” and are also linked to an increased risk of ovarian cancer.

“The risk associated with the genes isn’t simply an exact figure like 87%,” he told the BBC.

“It does depend on other risk factors, and so the risk for someone with a BRCA1 mutation could vary anywhere between 50 and 95% for breast cancer.”

Currently, women facing a strong likelihood of developing breast cancer have only two real options – to have both of their breasts removed (a double mastectomy) or hope that it will never actually happen.

In January, the drugs watchdog in England and Wales, the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence, recommended women at a high genetic risk of breast cancer should be given the option of taking the drug Tamoxifen, or another one called raloxifene, for five years to cut their lifetime risk of the disease.

BBC News

Filed Under: Entertainment, Health, Lifestyle

Olivia Colman wins two Bafta awards

May 13, 2013 Leave a Comment

Olivia Colman won for both categories she was nominated in

Olivia Colman has won two Baftas, taking the prizes for best supporting actress for Accused and best female in a comedy programme for Twenty Twelve.

Colman said of her win for Accused: “Turns out it does mean a lot. And I’m not going to cry.”

BBC Olympic satire Twenty Twelve also won best sitcom at the TV Bafta Awards.

BBC One’s Last Tango in Halifax took best drama series and Channel 4′s London 2012 Paralympic Games won best sport and live event.

The Paralympics beat the BBC’s coverage of the Olympic opening ceremony, Super Saturday and the men’s Wimbledon final.

Ade Adepitan, who co-presented the award-winning Paralympic coverage with Clare Balding, thanked Channel 4 for “allowing us to show the Paralympics warts and all” and for “allowing us to be ourselves”, referring to his fellow Paralympic athletes.

Colman thanked Accused writer Jimmy McGovern and paid tribute to co-star Anne Marie Duff, adding: “If it’s alright with everyone, it’s for Anne Marie and me to share – we’re Anne Malivia Colemuff, we did it together and I couldn’t have done it without her to play off.”

When she collected her second award for Twenty Twelve, the Broadchurch star praised her fellow nominees Miranda Hart, Jessica Hynes and Julia Davis, joking: “I’m not even the funniest one in our own programme.”

A tearful Sheridan Smith won best lead actress for ITV drama Mrs Biggs, based on the true story of the wife of the Great Train Robber, Ronnie Biggs. She thanked the whole team behind the show, apologising for her tears, adding: “I can’t believe it.”

Ben Whishaw won best actor for Richard II (The Hollow Crown) on BBC Two, and looked stunned.

The actor, who also played the role of Q in the James Bond film Skyfall, said: “I’m really, really surprised, I was hoping it would be one of the others just so I wouldn’t have to come up here and say anything. I’m thrilled, it’s amazing – I can’t believe it.”

Simon Russell Beale won best supporting actor for Henry IV Part 2 (The Hollow Crown), but was unable to attend the ceremony.

Michael Palin, who was presented with a Bafta fellowship by fellow Monty Python member Terry Jones, said: “This is a fantastic honour for which I feel deeply unworthy. It is an award for thoroughly enjoying myself for the last 48 years.”

He also thanked the BBC, saying: “No other broadcasting company in the world would have given me the opportunity to do what I’ve done.”

Balding, who won a Bafta Special Award, said she was “aware this would not have happened if it weren’t for the magic of last summer”, referring to the 2012 Games, when she presented for both the BBC’s Olympic and Channel 4′s Paralympic coverage.

“I’m so grateful to the BBC and Channel 4 for putting me at the heart of those events,” she said, before tearfully thanking her parents and her partner.

BBC Two’s The Shame of the Catholic Church (This World) won the best current affairs Bafta, beating the BBC One’s Britain’s Hidden Housing Crisis (Panorama Special), ITV’s The Other Side of Jimmy Savile (Exposure) and Al Jazeera Investigates’ What Killed Arafat?.

Other winners included Murder, from The Killing director Birger Larsen, which took the prize for best single drama, beating The Girl. Game of Thrones took the prize for audience award.

Anne Reid, who starred in Last Tango with Sir Derek Jacobi, said: “I’m so happy that the BBC at last have decided to do love stories about people who are over 35. Some of us do have quite interesting lives when we get to 70.”

BBC Two’s 7/7 One Day in London won for best single documentary and ITV’s Hillsborough – The Truth at Last (Granada Reports) took the Bafta for best news coverage.

Room at the Top won best mini-series, beating Accused, Mrs Biggs and Parade’s End and The Great British Bake Off won best features. Alfred Hitchcock drama The Girl had been up for four Baftas but left empty-handed.

Graham Norton hosted the ceremony at London’s Royal Festival Hall, where he won best entertainment performance for The Graham Norton show. He thanked the BBC, the guests and his team, who he joked did not enjoy being up on stage.

Steve Coogan won best male performance in a comedy programme for Sky Atlantic’s Welcome to the Places of My Life. He was not there to collect his award but a message from him read: “Thanks very much, I’ve got five now… “. BBC Three’s The Revolution Will Be Televised was named the best comedy programme.

Channel 4′s Alan Carr won best entertainment performance for Alan Carr: Chatty Man while the channel’s All in the Best Possible Taste with Grayson Perry won best specialist factual show.

BBC One’s EastEnders took best soap and best reality and constructed factual show went to Channel 4′s Made in Chelsea. Girls won best international show.

Doctor Who’s 50th anniversary was celebrated during the ceremony with a montage of clips from the show and a sketch with the current Doctor and his assistant, played by Matt Smith and Jenna-Louise Coleman.

Overnight figures showed an average 6.1 million people tuned in to watch the awards – the highest figure since 2004 and up from last year’s 3.6 million.

BBC News

Filed Under: Entertainment

Barbara Walters to retire in 2014

May 13, 2013 Leave a Comment

Walters has spent 37 years at ABC News

Veteran US broadcaster Barbara Walters is to announce she will retire in 2014.

The ABC network said Walters would confirm the plans on Monday’s edition of The View, the all-female daytime talk show she created in 1997.

Since her career began in 1961, she has interviewed Michael Jackson, Cuba’s Fidel Castro and every US president and first lady since Richard Nixon.

The 83-year-old was the first woman to anchor a daily network television news show in 1976.

“I am very happy with my decision and look forward to a wonderful and special year ahead both on The View and with ABC News,” Walters said in a statement.

“I created The View and am delighted it will last beyond my leaving it.

Irreplaceable

“I do not want to appear on another program or climb another mountain. I want instead to sit on a sunny field and admire the very gifted women – and, OK, some men, too – who will be taking my place.”

Walters’ career in TV journalism began at NBC’s morning news and entertainment programme, The Today Show, which she co-hosted for 15 years before moving to rival network ABC to co-host the Evening News, a first for a female journalist.

ABC said in March Walters planned to retire in May 2014 after more than five decades as a prominent figure on US television.

On Sunday, ABC News president Ben Sherwood said: “There is only one Barbara Walters.

“We look forward to making her final year on television as remarkable, path-breaking and news-making as Barbara herself,” he added.

Walters suffered periods of ill health over the past three years, including open heart surgery in 2010.

In January 2013, she suffered concussion after a fall, and was then diagnosed with chicken pox, causing her to miss more than a month of work.

BBC News

Filed Under: Entertainment

Lynah Bontiff captures Dominica’s Next Super Model title

May 11, 2013 Leave a Comment

Dominican’s Next Super Model, Lynah “Lena” JoeAnna Bontiff

Dominica’s Next Super Model, Lynah “Lena” JoeAnna Bontiff

Lynah “Lena” Bontiff is Dominica’s Next Super Model.

During the Fashion Extravaganza held at the Windsor Park Stadium on Friday 10th May, the 21 year-old from Calibishie outshined nine other contestants in four segments; introduction, high fashion, swimwear and business attire/interview, to capture that title.

To compliment the Dominica Next Super Model title, she also captured the awards for best opening dance, best photo model and best spokes model in the interview segment.

Other awards were presented in the categories of best runway model – Kersha Breezie, best swimwear model – Earlisha Brumant and best high fashion model – Reshema James.

The top five models were Reshema James, Earlisha Brumant, Gholda James, Kersha Breezie, and Talia Celestine.

As part of her prizes, the Super Model will receive, a trip to St Marteen’s Fashion Week and a trip to Antigua’s Fashion Week, with accommodation and travel expense paid by DNSM Inc, make up supply by Mio, one year modeling contract with DNSM and she will be featured in an advertisement for Tempo water.

The show which was attended by hundreds of Dominicans was the first of its kind here and was presented by Dominica’s Next Super Model (DNSM) Inc, headed by Ruth Augustine.

Dominica Vibes News

Filed Under: Entertainment, Local, News

Randy Jackson to leave American Idol

May 10, 2013 Leave a Comment

The record producer appeared on two Journey albums in the 1980s

Randy Jackson, the only remaining original American Idol judge, is leaving the TV talent competition at the end of the current series.

The 56-year-old producer and bassist said that he was quitting the show to focus on his record label and other business opportunities.

Randy Jackson has served as a judge on all 12 series of American Idol.

He first appeared on the panel with Simon Cowell and Paula Abdul when the competition began in 2002.

A statement from Randy Jackson said: “To put all of the speculation to rest, after 12 years of judging on American Idol, I have decided to leave after this season.

“I am very proud of how we forever changed television and the music industry.”

Host Ryan Seacrest hinted at his departure at the beginning of Thursday’s elimination episode in the US.

“A little later on, we’ll be revealing who’s leaving our show,” he joked as he swiveled Randy Jackson around in his chair towards him. “Maybe a head’s up?”

Falling ratings

American_idol_judges Jackson now judges the show with singer Mariah Carey, rapper Nicki Minaj and country star Keith Urban.

There have been reports in the US that the entire panel will be replaced next season.

A spokeswoman for Fox and producers FremantleMedia declined to comment.

Ratings for the programme, which was based on ITV show Pop Idol, have fallen sharply this year in the US.

It has been the most popular entertainment programme on prime time television for nine years running in the United States.

However, it’s now regularly behind NBC singing competition The Voice in the weekly ratings.

The current 12th season is set to finish next week with a showdown between 23-year-old R&B vocalist Candice Glover from South Carolina and 22-year-old country singer Kree Harrison from Texas.

BBC News

Filed Under: Entertainment

Who will be Dominica’s Next Super Model?

May 10, 2013 Leave a Comment

DNS contestants from left to right: Earlisha Brumant, Rashema James, Stevia Christopher, Kersha Breezie, Lynah Bontiff, Talia Celestine, Shaina Simon and Gholda Joseph. Photograph shot by JPIX Photography

The contestants with the founder of the DNSM Inc, Ruth Augustine (centre wearing red dress). Photograph shot by JPIX Photography.

Ten models will this evening compete against each other for the coveted title of Dominica’s Next Super Model.

The models are Stevia Christopher, Kersha Breezie, Reshema James, Talia Celestine, Shaina Simon, Earlisha Brumant, Gholda James, Veda Phillip, Lynah Bontiff and Nicole Morson.

They will compete in four segments; introduction, swimwear, business attire which will also include an interview on the modeling and fashion industry from 8pm at the Windsor Park Stadium. Tickets costs $40 and $60 and are available at Jay’s Bookstore, Bijoux Terner and Towdah Boutique.

Will it be Gholda James, 18, of Pointe Michel?

Golda James

Gholda James is an aspiring model based in Dominica and has done both runway and model shoots. She has a pleasing personality, is full of confidence and a determined young lady. She is interested in doing runway, fashion print, and swimwear. She focuses now on showcasing her skills as a model to the regional and international world. She hopes to have a positive impact on other young ladies not only in Dominica, but worldwide and remind them that “It’s not where you’re from, or where you are, but where you’re going”.

Will it be Kersha Breezie, 20, of Mero?

Kersha Breezie, 20, of Mero

Self-driven, consistent, competitive and amiable are just a few words to describe who she is. Kersha Breezie hails from the petite, welcoming and vibrant village of Mero.

Although Ms. Breezie has a great interest in dancing, her real passion lies within modeling. Over the past two years Kersha has participated in fashion shows/competition and is still striving as she intends to pursue a career in the fashion industry.

In addition to her pursuit, Kersha intends to inspire persons who came from humble backgrounds giving them the drive to do/be anything they set their mind to with the help of God. And would also like for them to feel comfortable about themselves, embrace their bodies and love the skin that there in as it is her belief that “a beauty of a woman is not in the facial mode but the true beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul.

Will it be Earlisha Yinka Brumant, 20, of Paix Bouche?

Earlisha Yinka Brumant, 20, of Paix Bouche

I am Earlisha Yinka Brumant from the cultural village of Paix Bouche. Creativity, determination and a hardworking attitude are major aspects of my personality which certainly helps in attaining my goals. The preservation of our relatively untouched nature isle has always been a concern to me, thus leading me to take part in many beautification and clean-up campaigns in my community.

I believe life is just a big adventure and as with any adventure sometimes there are new challenges on the way. I like to take up new challenges, and overcoming those gives me the zeal and impetus to continue onwards to excellence. Fundamentally I believe that one should strive towards individual betterment, no matter how impossible it may seem. My education started in my birth village at the Paix Bouche primary school, followed by the Portsmouth Secondary School (P.S.S) and continued at the Dominica State College.

Being a sports enthusiast I immersed myself in all sorts of sporting activities upon entering high school. Cricket, high jump, netball, and long distance running were among my extracurricular activities. I had a special interest in basketball which influenced me to join the Northern Stars Basketball team. I was also the house captain of P.S.S sports team for a one term.

Will it be Nicole Morson, 21, of Portsmouth?

Nicole Morson, 21, of Portsmouth

Miss Nicole Morson multitalented 21 years of age has been driven by a passion for modeling and the camera from the tender age of 5. She has decided to make modeling a career choice and one of her many goals in life.

Self-motivated, Nicole is determined to make it into a leading modeling agency, and to reaching the highest echelons of the industry. She sings, dance and participate in community activities, host a youth program where she deals with youth and the issues affecting the youth these are some of the things she does in her spare time.

Will it be Talia Celestine, 18, of Vieille Case?

Talia Celestine, 18, of Vieille Case

From childhood I have always had a passion for stage and performing, which developed my love for modeling. I am presently a student at The Dominica State College where I study Administrative Office Assistance.

I choose to study A.O.A because I still believe that an individual needs to have an education, while following their dreams. I enjoy dancing, being part of social groups, exercising and reading novels, but nothing more than modeling or performing to an audience.

I have the passion, looks, walk, personality, ability and attitude to be the BEST model Dominica will ever lay eyes on!

Will it be Lynah “Lena” JoeAnna Bontiff, 21, of Calibishie?

Lynah “Lena” JoeAnna Bontiff, 21, of Calibishie

Known as Waitukubuli or Tall Girl is Miss Lynah “Lena” JoeAnna Bontiff. 21 years old from the sunny and scenic village of Calibishie. She is a sport enthusiast who loves playing basketball and volleyball. She is also a past student of Odessa College, Texas. She is the first of five children which explains her extra love for them all. Lena is a member of almost all community developmental groups including the village council. She is seen as a respectful and ambitious individual as well. Tall girl loves volunteering and is always willing to. She has this great personality and is always bubbly. She also takes pride in all her doings.

Lena chose to be part of Dominica’s Next Super Model because representing Dominica is nothing new and has always been a desire as she is patriotic and wants her country to be known more about. Her dreams of making it big are not about her but Dominica and opening doors for others talented as her.

Waitukubuli is confident and self-motivated. Having confidence and being self-motivated are personal traits needed in order to be successful. She is self-disciplined, committed and loves working with others. Lastly, her great interest in business/marketing is just another reason why she is best suited for this great experience, a great leap towards success. She will do whatever it takes because she wants to be the best role model for her younger siblings.

Will it be Shaina Simon, 19, of Goodwill?

Shaina Simon, 19, of Goodwill

I am Shaina Simon, 19 years old of Goodwill. My parents are Joanne Wilkins and Hubert Simon. I am a very sociable person to be around; some say I am funny and others find my personality bubbly. Modeling has always been a dream of mine and something I always wanted to do while having fun with it, now this is my opportunity.

I love so many different things by naming a few would be dancing Latin along with other regional dances and belly dancing, reading, music from all over, playing the piano, food, fashion, drawing, painting and surrounding myself in nature. I have travelled throughout the Caribbean and learned a lot while meeting some wonderful people. I have an open mind to new cultures and adventures, modeling being one of them.

I am currently employed at clear harbor after completing an associate’s degree in Sociology at the Dominica State College where I danced Latin. I will further my education in Law at the University of The West Indies; this is my next goal set for the immediate future. I proudly attended the Wesley High school, graduating with the Most Disciplined Student of the year award and am currently a board member of their alumni. Last Summer I completed a certificate in Interior Decorating which is a passion of mines and this year I will be able to say I accomplished being a model as the face of Dominica Next Super Model Inc.

Will it be Reshema James, 23, of Portsmouth?

Reshema James, 23, of Portsmouth

Multi-talented, beautiful and ambitious are a few words to describe 23 year old Reshema James from the exotic town of Portsmouth. With an aim to excel at life, she juggles being a Secretary at the Portsmouth Constituency Office, while pursuing her Secretarial studies at night through the Business Training Center and is also enrolled at QC Academy online as a full time student in their Master International Makeup Professional Course.

Being a nature lover, she enjoys hiking and taking advantage of Dominica’s natural beauty. She also enjoys reading, planning, designing, traveling and meeting new people. Reshema is known for her friendly disposition, dignified persona and keen sense of humor. She dreams to one day be a successful free lance Makeup Artist, Model and Entrepreneur hoping to inspire young women to follow their dreams and aspirations.

From an early age, Reshema has always shown an interest in all things fashion, and been urged to model due to recognition of her natural talent. With the confidence and drive to create a name in the fashion industry, she has decided to put her modeling talent to the test. With a natural sway to her hips and love for the runway she aims to raise the standards of modeling in Dominica.

Through this competition, with a strong belief of inner beauty, she hopes to portray that the image of pure beauty is a reflection of inner self and urges young women to let that be their voice.

Will it be Stevia Christopher, 22, of Pond Casse?

Stevia Christopher, 22, of Pond Casse

Stevia Christopher is from the quiet, under populated country side village of Pond Casse home of Dominica’s famous Emerald Pool and nested near its sister village of “Belles” located in the heart of Dominica. She is 5’4 in height. She became interested in the modeling/fashion industry at sixteen when she joined LIME and became a LIME Girl/model in the year 2007.

Right now at the age of twenty two she plans on going to University where she will study Human Resource Management. She also wants to go further into the fashion industry and broaden her knowledge in that field. Stevia see the fashion industry in Dominica getting more serious at present. She noted that there are more models, photographers, make-up artists, designers all of whom come together to make the fashion industry what it has become. Stevia sees this venture as a step in the right direction and is ecstatic to be a part of this event.

Will it be Veda N. Phillip, 22, of Goodwill?

Veda N. Phillip, 22, of Goodwill

I currently reside at fortune/Newtown…My mum’s name is Eleanora Darroux, my father’s name is Albert Phillip (deceased). I went to SDA primary school and Wesley high school. I’m a Rastafarian. I enjoy modeling, fashion designing, drawing, writing and singing, and dancing. My favorite designer is Deola Sagoe from Africa; my favorite model is Tyra Banks. My favorite colors are yellow, pink, purple and black. Currently I work for myself as a fashion designer.

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