Jamaican women ‘claim dem crown’ in style at QORIHC awards

For some, royalty is an accident of birth, but for the 14 women in the entertainment industry who were conferred with the title ‘queen’ on Saturday evening at the Courtleigh auditorium in New Kingston, their newfound status is definitely by design. As the patron of the Queens of Reggae Island Honouring Ceremony (QORIHC), Shirley Carby, of Carlong publishers, stated in her opening address, if Miss Lou were alive, her comment would be, “You hear di news Miss Matty? Jamaican woman step up and claim dem crown in style.”

The honourees – veteran actress Leonie Forbes; former lead singer of The Grace Thrillers, Shirley Willis; artiste manager, Claudette Kemp; singer, Judy Mowatt; international model, Stacey McKenzie; businesswoman, Tina Matalon; businesswoman, Kelly Upsetter; poet, Cherry Natural; music video director, Scorpio 21; broadcaster, Elise Kelly; dancer, Keiva The Diva; recording artiste, Ce’Cile; public relations practitioner-marketer, Coleen Douglas; and social media influencer-blogger Lauren O Lauren (who was unavoidably absent) – were introduced to the audience by way of pre-recorded videos, and watching each one unfold endeared the audience to the queens. Their worthiness was unquestionable and their gratitude, palpable.

Actress, author, and broadcaster, Leonie Forbes, whose award was presented to her by actress Dorothy Cunningham, one of last year’s awardees, was the epitome of graciousness. Magnificent, mind-blowing, stupendous, and ‘splendiferous’ were her adjectives of choice. “For as long as I live and for the rest of my life, this award will be gloriously treasured,” she said. Supermodel Stacey McKenzie was humbled. She has dominated fashion runways in the most exotic parts of the globe, collecting many an award along her tumultuous and fascinating journey, but this QORIHC honour was special. “This is my first-ever award in my country,” the proud ‘yardee’ whose favourite dish is oxtail and dumplings, revealed. Hers was an impassioned speech, thanking God for the ups and downs, and imploring the women to always “uplift each other while helping to instil a strong sense of self in the little sisters”.

Dancer, Keiva, who shies away from public speaking, put her daughter up front, and it was an “ahhh” moment when the little one, with her script well prepared, confidently showered her “mummy” with praise.

Among the awardees who performed were Cherry Natural, with her powerful Defend Yuhself poem; Judy Mowatt, who just could not be present at an event such as this and not perform her Black Woman anthem from her classic album of the same name, and Shirley Willis.

Without taking anything away from any of the performers, Shirley Willis, on stage last Saturday, and being able able sing any Grace Thrillers song, was a moment. A stroke and accident a few years ago took her to death’s door, and even after she recovered it was thought that her powerhouse vocals would have been silenced. With still visible signs of her ordeal, Willis, resplendent in a puffy gown, took the mic, and there was almost a hush as she belted out the song that made Grace Thrillers a household name worldwide, Can’t Even Walk.

These Jamaican women, as expected, all put their best fashion foot forward, and it was interesting to observe each one’s take on regal. There was the smiling and busty Ce’cile, almost spilling out of her top; Keiva, with an eye-popping side split; the always regal Claudette Kemp and Judy Mowatt; an elegant Tina Matalon; and the minimalist expression of Stacey McKenzie, who, though opting for a simple dress, stockings (yes stockings), corn rows, and make-up, which oozed natural, still couldn’t hide her supermodel creds.

It was all too easy for fun, laughter, and camaraderie to take centrestage at this function to honour women. Capleton’s manager, Claudette Kemp, shared that, after much persistence from him, she finally signed a contract to manage King Shango for one year only, but 16 years later, the contract still hasn’t expired.

Tina Matalon, the speaker for the evening, regaled the audience with the tale that her husband seemingly wanted a to break off a piece of her recognition and paste it onto himself. “The fact that you are now Queen of Reggae Island, does that make me king of something?” was his question to her upon hearing that she was to be honoured.

Other performers at the fourth staging of the QORIHC awards were Alley Bless, Jehvonte, Kaution, Kelly Upsetter, Monifa, Racquel, Stacia Fire Dancers, Hezron, Carl Dawkins and an impromptu performance by Capleton.

A beaming Laurell Nurse, conceptualiser of QORIHC, could not hide her delight and expressed her anticipation for the event’s five-year anniversary come 2020.