|
Sensational
Ishawna
Roxroy
McLean,Youthlink writer
Rhythm
and Blues artiste, Ishawna Smith, became
an instant hit the minute she came on to
the music scene. The Seaview-based singing
sensation has already made an impression
on the local and international stages. In
2007, she collaborated on For You
with De.marco then followed that up with
Put Your Hands Up, Ooh Boy, Hypnotise
and Ladies Night. The niece of
reggae artiste, Paul Elliot, has also worked
alongside Grammy Award-winning hip hop artiste,
Wyclef Jean, top local producers, Foota
Hype and Shane Brown, and has made appearances
at shows like Reggae Camp Fire in St Catherine,
as well as others in New York, Connecticut
and Antigua. Her most recent performance
was at UCLA Jazz and Reggae Festival in
Los Angeles, California, alongside fellow
Jamaican artistes Mavado, Morgan Heritage
and Cherine Anderson.
One
beautiful Saturday afternoon, the 22-year-old
gave Jamaica's No. 1 teen magazine an inside
look at the real Ishawna Smith.
YL:
Tell us about Ishawna Smith.
Ishawna
Smith: Well, normally, when
people look at me they immediately think
that I am a hype person, but I am very down
to earth.
What's
the one thing about you most people don't
know?
A
part from music, I am very reserved. Shy
but at times love to have fun.
What
makes a perfect date for you?
Dinner
and a movie. I like simplicity. I love to
laugh and I am a very jovial person.
What
are the things you look for in a guy?
He
has to be jovial, ambitious, caring, kind
and romantic. I am not a fan of piercings.
What
are some of your favourites?
My
favourite colours are hot pink, turquoise
and black. My favourite fruits are oranges,
bananas and grapes. My favourite persons
are my parents (Jacqueline Minott and Donovan
Smith) and my two-year-old son, Oshawn.
My favourite movie is What's Love Got
To Do With It.
Do
you make a good mom, and how would you describe
your son?
(Laughs).
And you want me to answer that? I am definitely
a great mother and my son, he's pretty handsome
and has a wonderful personality. He's a
sweet child and very protective of his mom.
Do
you get any time to yourself, seeing that
you are a young mother breaking into the
music industry?
To
some extent. I love to rest and I love to
sleep. I go out when I am campaigning. For
my spare time I will satisfy with a nice
ladies' night out or watch a nice movie
with my spouse.
How
much effort do you put into your dressing
when you are going out?
Wow!
You had to ask that one. Well, there are
times when I have to change at least four
times.
Would
you consider yourself a perfectionist?
I
am, especially where my work is concerned.
I always want things to be done the correct
way, no matter what.
What
is your favourite music group?
Destiny's
Child. I love Beyoncé because she
can sing, dance and act. Not often you see
someone so talented. I like how she takes
her work seriously.
Are
you a fan of reading, and what, for you,
is a must-read?
Lol.
Definitely THE
STAR and the Youthlink.
THE STAR
because it's where you get all the information
in the music biz, and the Youthlink
because of its lovely teen features. I feel
like a teenager whenever I read it.
-
Photos by Roxroy Mcclean
|