Kimhia Toussaint Crowned Miss St Lucia UK 2014

Monday, May 12, 2014

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t the second staging of the Miss St Lucia UK 2014, 20 year old Kimhia Toussaint has been crowned the winner.

Toussaint a real estate agent was crowned before a packed audience at Kensington Town Hall, where 21-year-old university student Diandra Shortee was first runner up and second runner up went to 19-year-old college student Kathline George.

Contestants were judged in swim and evening wear as well as their knowledge of St Lucia which included performing a short skit to re-enact life experiences back in the Caribbean island.

The evening was part of St Lucia’s 35th Independence celebrations which highlights the island’s history, culture and accomplishments.

Guest included St Lucia’s High Commissioner, His Excellency Dr. Ernest Hilaire. Also in attendance were director of marketing St Lucia Tourist Board Jean-Marc Flambert and assistant director Atlyn Forde who sponsored the entertainment package.

The entertainment of the night was popular St Lucian Soca artist Teddyson John who had the patrons on their feet as he belted out his carnival hits.

Sponsors for the evening were Bay Gardens Resort, Hotel Chocolat, Chairman’s Reserve, Melalleuca, GMQex and St Lucia Tourist Board.

 

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New Gospel Artist LATEEFAH Makes Her Musical Introduction with New Single, “Here I Am"

Tuesday, March 18, 2014

London-based Artist Hopes to Inspire Self-Esteem through Music

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ospel music is adored overseas and one of the genre’s best kept secrets, a London-born artist, is catching the ears of fans on this side of “The Pond”. New Urban Contemporary Gospel Artist Lateefah (pronounced la-TEE-fah) has been embraced by the United Kingdom with her song, “Here I Am”. Flaunting reggae beats and her St. Lucian heritage on the record, “Here I Am” has been a chart-topper on the Reverbnation R&B and Christian/Gospel Charts for St. Lucia.

Recently introduced in the States, the single has been welcomed by fans due to the vibrancy of the feel-good song. “Here I Am” has hit the Top 50 National Airplay Gospel Chart, monitored by Digital Radio Tracker, in the US.

 

Receiving airplay in London and other countries, “Here I Am” is a song about total surrender to God. “Initially, when I wrote the song, it was a ballad,” recounts Lateefah. “It wasn’t until I went back home on holiday to St. Lucia that I got in the studio with my producer and we changed the arrangement. We thought it would be great to give the song a Caribbean vibe, something that reminded me of home.” The inspirational message and tropical feel of the track is a perfect complement to the strong and persuasive vocals of the artist.

Not one to rest on her laurels, Lateefah is already putting the finishing touches on the follow-up record, “Love Me Through”. Spreading her musical wings, this song showcases a throwback groove, reminiscent of the days of soul. She is greatly influenced by soul music, but not for the reasons many would think. “For me, soul music is whatever music my soul wants to write,” she shares. “What comes out of me musically is the color of my soul. To me, if what comes out of me sounds classical, it’s still soul music. Music lets me express every side of me.”

Born in London, England, Lateefah comes from St. Lucian and Dominican parentage. She honed her musical skills at the St. Lucia School of Music and the London Centre of Contemporary Music (LCCM), where she received a bachelor’s degree in music with a concentration in music production/performance. At an LCCM workshop, she sang background vocals for mainstream artist, George Clinton, known for his work with Parliament Funkadelic. Her live performance experience came as one half of Gospel rap duo One 2 One. She also has backed PP Arnold, known as one of Tina Turner’s “Ikettes”, and shared the stage with Gospel artist Carlene Davis.

Lateefah understands that music has power and she wants to uplift others who have dealt with low self-esteem issues. She says, “Although I have always been gifted with a talent for music, I struggled with low self-esteem. Even though my parents encouraged me to get on stage, there were experiences in my life that made me doubt myself. But my faith helped me. The difference between being born again and not being born again is how you deal with situations. As a Christian, I have my faith in God. That has changed me forever. Now when people see me on stage, they can’t believe I was ever fearful of the stage.” For more information on Lateefah, log on to www.latekorecords.com or connect with her on Facebook.

Publicity:

Andrea R. Williams

Tehillah Enterprises, LLC

info@tehillahpr.com

240.222.3022 / 1.888.844.7701

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St Lucian Nina Compton-Miller Runner-up on Bravo Top Chef Season 11

Thursday, February 6, 2014

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ast night was the finale on Bravo’s popular reality TV show “Top Chef”, where St Lucia Nina Compton-Miller was the runner’s up to Nicholas Elmi.

Nina Compton-Miller & Nicholas Elmi

Nina has been the strongest contender since the season premiere and in the season finale viewer polls she was favored to win.

 “You be the judge, who should win Top Chef”. The viewers voted 82% to Nina and 18% to Nick.

Even though she didn’t win one cannot deny how talented of a chef she is. The Caribbean and the people of St Lucia are very proud of her accomplishment.

In a statement issued by The St Lucia Tourist Board (SLTB)

"Although not emerging Top Chef, Nina’s performance is being celebrated not only by herself and her immediate family, but indeed all of St Lucia and particularly by the hospitality industry.

"Over the years we have consistently extolled the awarding winning culinary delights of St Lucia, as exemplified in our indigenous recipes so masterfully brought to life by Nina, week after week, throughout her presence on the show," the Board said.

The statement added that thanks to her accomplishments, the culinary creativity of chefs at award winning resorts and fine restaurants across the island is now further magnified.

Compton, is the daughter of the late Sir John Compton, and is currently the Chef de Cuisine at the Scarpetta restaurant at Miami Beach’s Fontainebleau Hotel.

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Rising Star, MonCherie, Brings Caribbean Heat to the Holiday Season with Release of “No Santa”

Thursday, December 5, 2013

New Caribbean R&B/Pop singer, MonCherie, has been building anticipation for the release of the official music video for her first single, “No Santa.” Now, the wait is finally over, and the tune which adds a sexy, Caribbean twist to Christmas songs, has been unveiled for the world to see.  Viewers can watch the video on her official website, Moncheriemusic.com and on YouTube.

“No Santa” brings a different flavor to the holiday season which generally centers around children, toys, knitted sweaters and of course, Santa Claus.  With playful lyrics and high octane beats, the track is sure to be a crowd pleaser. Not to mention, the video will showcase MonCherie’s vocal abilities and feature some of the hottest dance moves.

“People are always talking about Santa Claus, gifts, Charlie Brown Christmas CD’s and a bunch of kid stuff,” MonCherie said. “We decided, we don’t want Santa, we want to have fun and party. Therefore, our goal with the song is to give people something with a unique spin that is fun and that they can dance to.”

Born and raised in Castries, St. Lucia, MonCherie always believed she was destined for stardom.  At the tender age of five, she picked up a microphone for the first time and immediately gained the adoration of those she came in contact with, especially on her native island of St. Lucia.  She went on to represent her country in numerous pageants, including an island wide pageant in St. Martin, where she was awarded “best promotional speech” and “Ms. Congeniality”. The country adored her presence, burning passion for music, and positive outlook on life. Now, she wants to share with the world some of what has made her so beloved on her island.  This starts with her music.  She has already built a loyal fan-base across the Caribbean, and as a current New Jersey resident, fans in the states are also eager for her material.

“I am so excited to share my music with the fans,” she said. “It has been a long road for me, and I have endured many trials and tribulations. I have experienced working with people who did not have my best interest at heart.  Now, I am confident that I have a great support system around me, and people who want me to succeed.”

“No Santa” is the first of a plethora of tracks MonCherie has under her belt, and in 2014 more songs are to follow. And not all of them are party tracks.  An aspiring St. Lucian ambassador for music and tourism, MonCherie wants to share a wide range of her experiences and messages. She wants to inspire, and she also wants to empower women worldwide.

“I don’t consider myself a role model per se’, but I want to show people that anything is possible. It doesn’t matter where you come from, who your parents are, or what you have been through. Only you can stand in the way of your success.”

The official video for “No Santa” is now available for view and can be seen online at Moncheriemusic.com and YouTube

The song is also available on iTunes. To schedule an interview with MonCherie, please contact Ivan Thomas at 202.904.4790 or intriguemg@gmail.com.

 

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St. Lucia Native Nina Compton-Miller to Appears on Bravo’s Top Chef New Orleans Series

Wednesday, October 2, 2013

St Lucian-born Chef Nina Compton-Miller will be appearing on the Bravo’s Top Chef New Orleans series which airs tonight.

Compton-Miller who currently resides in Miami has trained in French, Caribbean and Italian kitchens and worked with renowned chef, Daniel Boulud. She holds an A.O.S Culinary Arts, C.I.A. degree.



Nina Compton-Miller

She is now works as the Chef de Cuisine for acclaimed chef Scott Conant. Nina a self-proclaimed “gnocchi queen,” Compton-Miller always keeps Maldon salt, good olive oil, lemon, calabrese chilies, and either pancetta or guanciale on hand. She strongly believes one should enjoy the moment whenever they are cooking.

Top Chef New Orleans airs on Bravo on tonight (October 2, 2013) at 10:0 Pm EST.

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