Jamie Morrison who was former Miss Global Bahamas was recently in Nigeria. She spoke with Morakinyo Olugbiji about her mission. Read on.
Tell us about yourself?
I am Jaime Morrison, ex-beauty queen, Miss Global Bahamas 2009/2010. I’m a singer now and am into beauty as well. So I’m a fashion consultant in the Bahamas.
What’s your primary aim for being in Nigeria?
Well, I collaborated with Da Prinze of Diamond Records. We did some music and it was magical! so I came back to shoot the video and on Wednesday, we are shooting another video.
Is this your first time in Nigeria?
No, it’s my second time in Nigeria. The first time, I came to do collaboration with Da Prinze and it was good and now I am here for the video shoot.
What was your first experience like?
Nigeria is just like home to me now. The people are friendly. Well the people that I have met are friendly. I have heard negative reports and I will want to be careful, but since I came, I have been telling people, it’s not what you hear on the radio or see on the TV.
You have to go experience it for yourself. Like I said, I like to travel the world and see things for myself, and don’t take what people say in the media and take that for good. No, that’s not good.
How was life after the Miss Global Bahamas beauty pageant?
After the beauty pageant, I went into fashion like I said and then into the music industry but, but before the music industry; hair, make-up, nails, everything, I teach it, I do it.
Let’s talk about your time as Miss Global Bahamas, how did you emerge winner?
Well, have been doing pageantry since I was seventeen, so I did Miss Bahamas Universe and Miss Bahamas World, though I did not win in those but, I got my experience from that and then I entered Miss Bahamas Global, which I became the reigning queen. Those pageants that I entered before it gave me that exposure and experience, so I can be the best queen that I could have been and my platform was HIV/AIDS awareness and I have been doing that since I was in high school you know, making people aware of HIV/AIDS and everything and I still do it but, it’s not my main focus now. My main focus is Beauty, and empowering women. I’m into the beauty world and fashion consultancy.
Nigerians, are fashionable people, do you plan to bring your fashion business into Nigeria?
Personally the only thing I can bring is just my fashion sense and expect one to follow them, so be it! I don’t believe I can beat Nigeria women in the game of fashion with what I have seen so far. They are among the most fashionable in the world.
How do you hope to achieve your aim of empowering people?
Everywhere I go, whatever I can do, everywhere I see the need that I can make the difference in the life of people, I try to do whatever I can do, it does not stop at the Bahamas or U.S. Where ever I go, I make a difference in the life of people.
Let’s talk more about your journey to the top as Miss Bahamas?
Before I became the queen, like I said I did two pageantry, so the experience and exposure gave me that courage and drive to want more, to push further, and when I joined the Miss Global Bahamas, it was a breeze. At first I didn’t want to join the pageant, a lady saw me and she called me, she said, “I saw you at the Miss Bahamas World, and they treated you so unfairly, you are one of my top girl at that pageant” and I was like ‘OKAY’! And she said “can I work with you?” So she worked with me with some other persons, I had hair and make ups. I didn’t do anything for myself, they did everything for me. They taught me walks, dancing, everything, so when I did the pageant, it was easy.
What was your point part winning?
The high point for me was modeling, going out, and doing shows. I did not get any contract, I had to push myself because am self motivated. It wasn’t was I expected because I thought after winning you get so many big prizes and you live the life of a queen, but, it’s what you do with the crown, it is how you pave your way, because you have a title, people respect that title, it’s what you do, and how you maneuver, you just use the title and make a name for yourself and also pave a way to the top.
What was your opinion about the Nigeria entertainment industry before coming down here?
Wow! I did not know that Nigeria entertainment industry was so big. I never knew, but since have been here, I have been watching Sound city and MTV base and I have seen that it’s so big. And I like that its Nigeria music and they mix a little bit of Jamaican music. I like the fact that they step out of just Africa and they took it global so it’s really good. I’m doing solo as well as collaboration, but I prefer R&B real incorporated with Nigerian music, we will just mix magic with the music.
So I guess you are still single?
Single! Hahahaha! I will just keep that to myself, I will like to keep that part private.
Who can you remember among the Nigeria artistes you have listened to?
I love Don Jazzy, Oh! I love 2face he is really positive, his music is very positive. He just touches you; he touches you when he sings. There is something about his voice. I like persons who sing from the heart, he has the message in his songs and that’s what I like.
You sound like you are in love with him already?
No! Oh no! Well, I love him musicially. Nothing more. I know he is married!
Are you planning to come back to Nigeria?
Of course, definitely I will be back very soon, I will leave by the end of the week and be back right after, am not sure when.
Coming back to do what?
For my music! I will be back for my music. Diamond Records, I’m starting something with Diamond Records Label. I want to be signed under diamond records.
Why did you prefer signing with a Nigerian record label?
With me, it’s a personal choice, because the US industry is full of so many dark things. It’s too much. It’s just that I’m a Christian and my belief; I don’t want to be involved with that.
Are you talking about ILLUMINATI?
Thank you! I did not wanna say it, you said it.
Over here there are mixed opinions on whether ILLUMINATI exist or not…?
It does exist. I mean from what I have seen and I have done the research, it exists. So I prefer to keep away from that, I don’t want to get myself mixed in that. Yea! It’s too much; I don’t want to put myself to that.
Is it that all American labels are linked to it?
All their labels are linked, and you may not see it because you don’t know what’s going on behind the scene as an artiste, am just been careful and it’s just a personal choice of mine.
Do you think the Nigeria music Industry is clean?
I don’t think that the Nigerian industry is clean per say but, I think that Diamond Records from what I have seen, the relationship that I have had, they appear to be very clean so, that’s why I made the choice of signing with the label.