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American takes 'Dancehall
Queen' title
A beaming Michelle Young (centre), the 2008 International Dancehall Queen and first runner-up Moika Stapley (left) and second runner-up Nami Crissy
Kerisu at the conclusion of the Dancehall Queen Competition held in Montego Bay on the weekend. - Nathaniel Stewart
The 2008
edition of the Red Label Wine International Dancehall Queen Competition happens on Saturday, July 26, at the Pier One Entertainment
Centre in Montego Bay. Last year’s competition saw over 40 contestants entering, with many of them being from other
countries such as Japan, the United States, England, Poland, Canada and some Caribbean islands. A Canadian, Maude ‘Mo
Mo’ Francato, was last year’s winner, becoming only the second non-Jamaican winner (Japan’s Junko Bashment
was the first in 2002). Even more foreign participants are expected to enter this year’s competition. In the weeks leading up to the final showdown, several preliminary contestant
searches will be held across the Island, as the organizers seek out the most talented local contestants to face up to the
challenge of the International entries. These preliminary events will be held in Kingston, Ocho Rios, Mandeville, and Montego
Bay.
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Western Bureau (JAMAICA STAR, 2008-07-29) Twenty-three-year-old Michelle Young, of Boston in the United States, created history yesterday morning at the Pier One Complex, in Montego Bay, when she became
the first American to win the coveted Red Label Wine International Dancehall Queen title. "I have never been this happy in my entire life," said the diminutive Young, as tears of joy rolled down
her cheeks. "I am going to cherish this moment for the rest of my life - I am on top of the world." By virtue of becoming the 11th winner of the annual contest, the charismatic Young, relegated
fellow American, 24-year-old Moika Stapley, of Los Angeles and 22-year-old Japanese Nami Crissy Kerisu, into second and third
places respectively. Young also walked away with over $500,000 in cash
and prizes. "I am extremely pleased with the way things went tonight,
the fans came out in their thousands and it was an incident-free event," said businessman Brian 'Big Head' Martin,
the promoter of the event. "I want to congratulate the 31 contestants
and the fans for making this year one of the best ever." Latest dance moves
In addition to the top three places, which saw all three contestants getting
trophies and gift packages, two other awards were handed out. The acrobatic Tavia Morris, one of the crowd favourites won
the Best Costume Award while Young, who dazzled with her mastery of all the latest dance moves, took the Best Dancer Award.
Although Young was velvet smooth in all the various segments, initially
it looked as though Morris would upstage her. The athletic Morris had the crowd in awe at one stage as she climbed one of
the pylons supporting the stage and ended up dancing inside the roof, between the stage lights and decorations. Unlike in previous years, the show flowed smoothly with very few glitches from the action started
at 11:30 p.m. until shortly after 4:00 a.m. when Young was crowned against the backdrop of the pulsating beat of Beenie Man
and Chevelle Franklin's hit, Dancehall Queen. Bonus entertainment In between the various segments, which first saw a top 15 and then a top 5, the patrons were
treated to bonus entertainment courtesy of several guest dancers, including the popular Marvin. The deejays on the Pure Playazz Sound System also served up delightful entertainment, unleashing a barrage of dub
plates, pre-releases and dancehall classics. Prior to the final segment,
patrons were treated to a fabulous fashion show featuring some of the latest fashion from Big Head Clothing Store. Giveaways form an integral part of the rich atmosphere of excitement, which was spearheaded
by renowned entertainment personality Jerry D. The giveaways included sex toys and adult videos from First Choice Video and
condoms from Slam Condoms. Two lucky patrons also won a Blackberry and a component set courtesy of the promoter. Throughout the contest, patrons were treated to high quality dancing as most of the contestants
had properly choreographed dance routines. Some even came with their own dub-plates, which made generous mention of their
names and the various dances they were doing. When the top 5 was announced
and Morris, who lit up the last segment with her roof climbing and suggestive gyration, was not included, it left little doubt
that the title would go to Young, who captured the audience early and never let them go. The announcement that she was the queen was greeted with loud cheers.
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