Soca royalty Fay-Ann Lyons-Alvarez has been appointed the new Chair of the International Soca Monarch.
News broke today on TV6’s Morning Edition, when National Carnival Commission’s (NCC) Chairman, Winston ‘Gypsy’ Peters, announced that 2019 Carnival is “shaping up to be the best ever,” touting that his niece will head the art form’s biggest competition.
One of the most decorated and awarded Soca Queens in the world was selected by ISM shareholders, Peter Scoon and Ricky Raghunanan.
However, it is unclear whether she will be the overseer of the competition solely or the governing body of Caribbean Prestige Holdings, of which Peter Scoon has reportedly stepped down. According to LoopTT, “Scoon, who held the position of Chairman previously, said he is taking time to see about himself.”
In an interview with Trinidad Newsday, Lyons-Alvarez shared that the organizing body has been courting her for years. “Peter Scoon has been asking for the last three years because I sat down with him for the last couple years and people who know, know that I have been involved in Soca Monarch from a logistic standpoint.” Her quote continues, “I go to the event every year, check on the artistes, make sure everything is okay. Where I think they are lacking I tend to help out. There was a year, I cooked food and carried it for the whole of backstage.”
“For me, Soca Monarch has always been something that is close to my heart,” she concluded.
For those new to Fay-Ann and for those who need a reminder, the Vi-Queen is the first artiste to ever win the trifecta titles of Power, Groovy and People’s Choice at the International Soca Monarch competition in 2009. THE FIRST ARTIST EVER. THE FIRST AND ONLY WOMAN. THE FIRST AND ONLY PREGNANT WOMAN…in 2009. She was also declared Road March champion that year and is the only female Soca artiste to win three Road March titles (2003, 2008, 2009).
Her life-long expertise, her extensive travel around the globe pushing Soca, her international relationships, and honestly, her youthfulness, makes Fay-Ann a valuable asset and powerful voice to the improvement of ISM.
Here are my reasons as to why Fay-Ann will be great at the helm of the failing and controversial International Soca Monarch organization…
1. History
Soca is in her blood. All hail Queen Fay-Ann Lyons-Alvarez, the daughter of Austin “SuperBlue” Lyons and Lynette “Lady Gypsy” Steele. The niece of Winston “Gypsy” Peters. The wife of Ian “Bunji Garlin” Alvarez. This woman was raised in music and competitions. Through osmosis, Fay-Ann has inherited and innate passion for performing and winning and a keen eye for presentation and showmanship.
2. Brilliance
Fay-Ann is quite the intellect. She is the composer of all of her lyrical content. Despite the fact she abandoned law school due to her schedule, I can attest to her sharp and informed debating skills, in addition to her formulation of powerful positions on any issue. As a creative, her brainpower is not solely based on her IQ but her EQ and AQ!
3. Empathy
We often hear that women are emotional. When referring to EQ – Fay-Ann’s emotional intelligence is extremely high, which only adds to her list of positive qualities in any leadership position. Her ability to perceive, assess and manage the emotions of herself and others, is the high calling of great leaders. Not only does she use her voice to entertain but she also uses her platform to encourage others to be better, do better and give. Just scan her IG page, you’ll see.
4. Diplomacy
If Fay-Ann and Machel can squash their years-long beef, then certainly, this woman can sit and break bread with anyone! This is a woman who has met with Heads of States and travelled as a cultural ambassador for her country. As an artiste who has experience with ISM, she knows first hand the pros and cons, highs and lows and the specific needs discussed amongst artistes for the changes they’d want to see occur, to help them keep pushing the artform AND take care of their families. This is where her gift of negotiations come in.
5. Business Savvy
Whether dressed in short pants or full pants suit, Fay-Ann is quite savvy when it comes to fitting the description for the role and doing the work. She’s astute when it comes to contracts, level-headed during negotiation deals and a calculated risk-taker. She is the founder of MiMe LTD, an artiste management company; AZAFIT, her beloved fitness movement; a soon-to-be released fitness clothing line titled, HYBRD; an Interior Designs consultancy grind, and her upcoming Culinary project, all in addition to a WHOLE MAS BAND, Rebellion, recently launched for Jamaica Carnival 2019.
Fay-Ann is due to make an official statement soon, to address her appointment and outline her specific role at ISM. With any news regarding this superstar, controversy is never far behind. So before I go, let me just drop some quick game here….
I think our society, especially in the Caribbean dislikes seeing a powerful female lead grounded in strong beliefs. Patriarchy in Soca and Calypso still exists. Caribbean men just prefer seeing women as sex objects and submissive as opposed to leadership roles. A lot of Caribbean organizations have been ran by old men with archaic ideals, stuck in the “good ole days” and not moving forward with the times.
Let’s be honest, her passionate stance has afforded her many haters and a lot of her detractors want to see her fail just to prove “their point.”
How about we just send her good energy instead, for she will need all the positivity she can get, in developing such a major task of revitalizing the competition.
I wished more people understood the value of the talent and brains that is Fay-Ann Lyons-Alvarez. She has proven time and time again that she’s a beast in slaying dragons to overcome all obstacles in pursuing her dreams.
To discredit Fay-Ann’s artistic heroism would be to diminish her valiant contributions to Soca music and her legacy in Caribbean culture at large.
She possesses the knowledge, experience and connections to successfully execute this task, however, let’s have realistic expectations for this year, as this news comes only mere weeks away from Fantastic Friday, the day of the International Soca Monarch finals. Besides, the ISM website (the world’s largest Soca competition) doesn’t even have info on 2019 registration and its social accounts are stuck in 2017. THIS IS WHY CHANGE IS NEEDED! One can only imagine the mess she has inherited, so give her at least two years to make SOCA MONARCH GREAT AGAIN!
Fay-Ann knows Soca. Fay-Ann knows competition. Fay-Ann knows business. Fay-Ann also knows politics.
Fay-Ann is more than qualified to be the new Chair(womb)man of the International Soca Monarch. Put some respect on her name!
Congratulations Queen.
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