So I actually used to box with a group in Pleasantville, where I’m from. With the coach, we usually went to the Wharf and trained. He decided he wanted to stop by and visit a friend. Lo and behold, he took us to Henry Street to Junior Bisnath, one of the moko veterans.
Anyone he meets for the first time, he always asks if you are willing to try the art of walking – moko jumbie. So he asked us, “Allyuh wanna try moko jumbie?” The rest was history… The day after I learned to walk, I gave up boxing.
I have always been a person who liked to try new things. And after I tried it, I liked the feeling – it was a challenge, in a sense, because men dominate that field. So it was just me challenging myself to see how good I could be.
Then after performing in different parts of the country and all those carnival events, parties, Soca Monarch, meeting new people, I go to different places – I like to “like myself”! And you feel that you have a special power when you are standing…
The moko community is always family oriented. Everyone just becomes one. Everyone has a special atmosphere. They just make you feel comfortable with other people who are doing the same thing as you. They have a better understanding. You know it’s your special place to be around those special people.
In 2012, that was the first time I entered the Kings and Queens competition, and that was through Junior Bisnath. That’s when I met Mr. Alan Vaughan, the designer of Moko Somõkõw. From then on, we just kept working on different things… We just clicked at that time, keeping that relationship going. And when he went on to work with Touch D Sky in 2016, I joined. And when he left to do his thing in Moko Somõkõw, I was there.
As a little girl, you see the big mass on stage for Dimanche Gras. But I didn’t even know the behind-the-scenes and preparation of the masses… In 2012, Mr. Alan just designed everything and got you out there.
After that experience, I thought it’s an interesting thing to do… And then in 2016, I really discovered how good I am at creating things, like designing head parts… He would draw what he wanted and give you materials and then you will have to figure out how to make this drawing come to life!
So he just helped unlock that hidden talent. After that, it just got more and more interesting. I used to dance and watch Broadway and think I want to go and dance there, you know? So I never treat the competition as a competition. I treat it like that time to look – like I’m on the Broadway stage!
Probably from September to November, Mr. Alan and I start talking. We can talk about the topic. We might do a little sketch of the costume, then we might not talk until December, January, when he comes back to Trinidad.
Then we stay at Belmont from January to March, back and forth, and spend that time with each other. It will have its own sketch for the head, so it’s just to figure out how I’m doing this! You never have a clue how you’re going to do it… but with the materials and the vibe… it’s just a flow you have to go with! You just have to trust the process. And you work on your head because this is the main thing during the next two months. The more you work at it, the more ideas flow.
Then it leads to the competition – SHOW, for me! — Getting ready at night, painting your face is when the magic starts to happen. You feel like the character starts to emerge. Usually, I’ll have an idea of what moves I want to do … we’ll try the costume on at least twice beforehand. I think about everything, so I think about what I want to do on stage from a presentation point of view.
Win portraying 2022, I had a lot of thinking to do because I was about four months pregnant… You know people will say it’s risky, but I was just doing what I’m used to doing. I wouldn’t lift just one leg in the air – it would be a subtle movement where it would look nice and be less likely to cause me to fall over. So I thought about the music as it would have to be a bit slow because I would have to take my time. And then the energy that I would give off – the theme of the costume – is that I am the “bringer of good things.”
But then, on the day of the final, they wouldn’t let me go on stage… It was raining, so I could understand the safety concerns. When I got the call about this, I was doing some last minute stuff. Hearing those words – “they won’t let you go on stage” … I started to cry. Like a baby. People started posting things online, and I know a lawyer got involved…
But for myself, I decided to go to Queen’s Park Savannah. However, I began to doubt myself. I was looking at the scene, feeling it… the surface was fine, even though it was wet. One of the dancers was saying that the stage was slippery, making me question whether I could really do it.
Lisa Fernandez and Maria Nunes came over with congratulations and hugs and were taking pictures… and they weren’t looking at me like I was “pregnant Shynel” but like I was “Shynel Shynel”. Even if they were worried about me going on stage, I didn’t show up. And it got me thinking, why don’t you believe in yourself?
I got on stage and I was still a little shaky. But then, when the music started playing, I said to myself, “You’ve got this girl! Do your thing!” I’m performing on stage and all that goes through my head is, “Girl, dance, huh? You are safe here!”
WWhen I won again, I was in shock… I know I put on a good show, but with everything that happened, I almost got disqualified… Getting on stage and performing was the most important thing. To this day, I can’t say how I felt that night.
When I think back to when I first won in 2019, I always feel a little intimidated because of the size of the other queen’s suits. So, in a way, you’re not looking to win. I always think they’re judging big suits… So I was in shock even then.
That year, I was at the carnival on Monday and Tuesday with my son as a child. He was my first child and I am breastfeeding, so he was always with me at camp mas, everywhere… So if I am on the road, I definitely have to feed him! Then people saw us on the street and posted the photos. The positive response was truly unexpected.
This year, moving to Belmont will be different with my kids in school, but I have people supporting me so it will be good. I can’t wait to be on the road … that road action again with Moko Somõkõw.
