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US R&B star Melanie Fiona keen on inspiring young VI artistes

US R&B star Melanie Fiona and her party arrived to a true VI welcome at the Terrence B. Lettsome International airport yesterday December 5, 2013 . Photo: VINO
President of Follow The Movement (FTM), Mr Craig Lake aka DJ Push Pop (second from right) and others were among the welcome party. Photo: VINO
President of Follow The Movement (FTM), Mr Craig Lake aka DJ Push Pop (second from right) and others were among the welcome party. Photo: VINO
US R&B star Melanie Fiona said accepting and agreeing to come to the VI was more for her about the female empowerment aspect. 'It’s about spreading positivity and strength to other women', which is something she is very passionate about. Photo: VINO
US R&B star Melanie Fiona said accepting and agreeing to come to the VI was more for her about the female empowerment aspect. 'It’s about spreading positivity and strength to other women', which is something she is very passionate about. Photo: VINO
BEEF ISLAND, VI – US R&B star Melanie Fiona, the feature artiste to hit the stage of the Sir Rupert Briercliffe Hall tonight December 6, 2013, told Virgin Islands News Online in an exclusive interview on her arrival in the territory that she is more keen on being an inspiration to the young artistes in the Top 7@7 ‘Who is next?’ competition.

Fiona arrived in the Territory yesterday afternoon, December 5, 2013 and the first thing she called for was some “island food”, something she said she was eager to experience. “But more than the brilliant sunshine, where I came from is extremely cold at this time, I am more excited and eager about sharing who I am, what I know, and my passion for the industry with those persons that are going to be performing,” she said.

Specific to her presence in the Virgin Islands, Fiona said she is also particularly concerned about speaking to the women at the show and other opportunities that might be afforded to her. “Accepting and agreeing to come to the BVI was more for me about the female empowerment aspect. It’s about spreading positivity and strength to other women, which is something I am very passionate about.”

This is an aspect that she said has been on the increase in her career during this year and it is something that fits right in line with her dreams and goals.

The 13 contestants for the second elimination round tonight are Kirtis Kassandra Malone, Sasha Wintz, Calden James, Jahieel Howe & TJ Henley – YBA, Hashim Lewis, Jamila Stevenson, Keje Hendrickson, Jamori Blaize, Kamyce Penn, Epik & Neeks, NJAR, Marvin Bramble and Rochel Lewis. At the end of tonight’s show, which kicks off directly at 7 P.M., only seven will move on to the final round.

President of Follow The Movement (FTM), Mr Craig Lake aka DJ Push Pop had previously said the group held the event for the past six years and a change in format was required as the record labels being pursued would have been lost otherwise.

The FTM met with several local music professionals including Dr Drexel Glasgow, Mr Andre Brathwaite and Dr Allison Flax-Archer who were instrumental in helping to change the format.

This now means that crowd support will have little if any at all in determining who advances to the final. Instead, judges will now be looking for articulation, range and stage performances among other areas.

But when it’s all said and done for the feature artiste, before going back to the East Coast, “I wanna get brown and I want to get wet. I was in Barbados just two weeks ago so this is just an amazing cherry on the top for me to close off the year. Wow flying over this island was just so amazing; I am feeling the sunshine again.

Tickets for today’s elimination round are available exclusively at CCT for $15.00. There will also be double CCT top-ups at the show.

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