20 QUESTIONS : BRI CELESTIN
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| Production by Terrance, Make-Up by Lynda De La Mothe at the Kerby Young studio Wearing Anthony Dinally |
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1. What is one thing people would be surprised to know about
you?
“I think that people
would be surprised to know that although I’ve been singing all my life, I have
only been singing professionally for the last two years. I’ve always loved
singing and it has been a passion and hobby of mine, but always something I did
on the side. I made a decision two years ago that I wanted to take a leap and
do this professionally, and so far it has been really wonderful.”
2. What is your greatest indulgence?
“My greatest
indulgence has to be wine!! I love wine, especially red wine. Although it is
one of my greatest indulgences, before a big show I would strip all alcohol out
of my diet so a soon as I get off of the stage I make sure and have a glass.
Any wine from France or Italy I trust with my eyes closed, however, I love
Malbec and Merlot.”
3. Go-to song and movie?
“Go-to song...that’s a
tough one. Hmm, anything from Nina Simone or Sade. They are two ladies that I
almost idolize and get a lot of inspiration from. My go-to movie will have to
be Sabrina starring Audrey Hepburn (1954)”
4. What do you do with your spare time?
“What spare time!?
With my spare time I usually like to dance. I used to salsa dance a lot but I
haven’t really had time to do it. But once I get a spare moment, even if it’s
at home...I dance, even if it is with myself.“
5. What brings you your greatest satisfaction?
“I think...when I know
that I’ve given 110% to what I put myself into and that I’ve done the best that
I could. It really makes me feel satisfied knowing that I couldn’t have given
any more in that moment. Also if people respond to it, that makes that feeling
all the more sweeter. “
6. What is one thing everyone should try at least once in
their life?
“I think everyone
should try visiting a different country and experiencing a different culture.
Doing this really made me appreciate home more. I think that sometimes we don’t
really value what we have in Trinidad and how beautiful our people and islands
are. So yes going away allows you to meet new people and experience new
cultures, but I believe that it makes you appreciate the things you have and
where you’re from. While on this topic I suggest visiting France, it’s quite
vast. You can go to the south of France and experience nice beaches...there is
also Paris. It’s really quite beautiful.”
7. One thing you would change about the world if you could?
“Right now I would
change the way we treat our planet, animals and each other. I think that if we
are kind to our planet it’ll extend and we’d be kind to each other.”
8. Who is your biggest hero?
“I would say my mom.
I’m not even sure if she knows this, haha, but I guess this is the opportunity
to say it. She was a single parent and still kept everything going. I didn’t
have everything I wanted but I wanted for nothing. I don’t know how she got the
energy but she was self-employed and I was allowed to have a youth group in my
house and she was always there with extracurricular activities. I just think
her providing all these facilities is really inspirational. I mean...I know I
couldn’t do it.”
9. What is the best advice you’ve ever been given?
“Well when is comes to
performing, Raf Robertson, who has passed away now, said that when performing
leave your soul on the stage. I’ve tried to carry that with me when I perform
and I hope that people feel that. This ties into me trying to give my best and
I count myself lucky to have been able to meet Raf.”
10. What mantra or quote do you try to live by?
“I think its the
scout’s code...although I was a brownie, haha. I think it goes, “If you fail to
prepare then prepare to fail.” I am really big on planning and preparation. I
always try to get all the details right before I go forward.”
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| Production by Terrance, Make-Up by Lynda De La Mothe at the Kerby Young studio Wearing Anthony Dinally |
|
11. What inspires you or your craft?
“I...I have a lot of
inspiration around me. I’m fortunate to have friends who are professional
musicians and who have been doing this professionally for all their adult
lives. I always mention people like Tony Paul and Dean Williams. They always inspire
me to keep moving forward and to know that I can do this professionally.”
12. What is the best experience you’ve had in the industry
or while pursuing your craft thus far?
“Best
experience...hmm...one thing that was really magical for me; a friend of mine,
Dean Williams who is a professional guitarist, asked me to sing one song at one
of his shows at Fiesta Plaza Movie Towne. Based off of that one song that I did
the promoter Heathcliff West at Fiesta Plaza came up and told me that I needed
to do a show there and that I needed to be one of his ‘Women in Jazz.’ From
that, I was then able to do a full set during the second week of April 2017. “
13. What would be one thing you’d hope to gain from the
continuation of your craft?
“I would hope to
continue to share what I think is a blessing with other people. So far things
have been going well and I just hope that I keep getting opportunities to
perform.”
14. Top three things on your perennial to-do list?
“Uhhh....I always say
travel more, exercise more, sleep more. Some people might say I have the
sleeping down haha. I try to get in at least eight hours of sleep a night. So
top two travel more and exercise more. But I want to go to Cuba! Hands down
Cuba! That’s where I want to go next.”
15. What’s the best gift you’ve ever received?
“Hmm, that’s
difficult. Umm, you know what, I’d say this is a gift haha. My metabolism. I
got this from my father. It works very quickly so I get to eat almost as much
as I want and don’t put on any weight. It allows me to not have to think about
that side of life too much you know. It’s a blessing!”
16. Where do you see yourself in five years?
“In five years I see
myself in Trinidad as a base but going to different countries to perform. Also
having a record out and hopefully having people listen and enjoy my record.”
17. What is one thing you wish you knew when you were
younger?
“I wish I knew that it
was ok to leap and make a decision and jump. That there is no failure in failing
and that its ok to take a chance on something. If I knew this I would have
probably been singing professionally for much longer.”
18. What would you say to your past self if you had the
chance?
“I think the same
applies as the question above.”
19. How was your TVISUAL experience?
“My TVISUAL experience
was fabulous! I must say the team is really wonderful, very welcoming. My
make-up looks wonderful, clothes are lovely. I am pleased to have been selected
and I look forward to what you all have in store for the future.”
20. Who should we highlight next?
“I would ask you to
feature Tony Paul who is an amazing saxophonist. I’m so blessed that he
performs with me but he’s also a teacher at UTT so he shares his gift with
other people. He’s just a wonderful person I think. So feature him!”
Keep updated on Facebook and Instagram @bricelestin
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