分类： entertainment

On a vibrant Saturday, June 27, the stands of Soufriere Mini Stadium buzzed with electric energy as hundreds of attendees – from multi-generational local families to high-ranking dignitaries, event sponsors, and loyal community supporters – gathered to kick off this year’s Lucian Carnival celebrations. The gathering centered on honoring Saint Lucia’s rich cultural heritage, the creative talent of its young people, and the unifying communal spirit that has defined the Carnival tradition for decades.

The highlight of the opening festivities was the annual Miss Soufriere Carnival pageant, which brought five dynamic, carefully selected delegates to the stage to compete for the coveted annual crown. Each contestant represented a leading local establishment that had thrown its support behind the event: Triana Busette stood as Miss Sugar Beach (a property of the upscale Viceroy Resort), Ella Albert represented Miss MBC/Real FM, Lovely Son carried the banner for Miss B&B Money Savers, Tamis Modeste competed as Miss Saint Lucia Daily Post, and Hailey Reid represented Miss Soufriere Experiences. Across every segment of the competition, the five contestants delivered poised, memorable performances that held the packed audience’s attention from the opening introduction to the final announcement of results.

When the judges’ scores were tallied, Tamis Modeste emerged as the clear standout, earning the official title of Soufriere Carnival Queen 2026. Lovely Son secured the position of first runner-up, while Triana Busette took home second runner-up honors. While the full official prize package will be awarded during the Carnival’s closing ceremony later this summer, all contestants received recognition for their achievements on the day of the pageant, along with gift certificates donated by a network of generous local small businesses based in Soufriere.

Modeste dominated multiple special award categories, taking home honors for Miss Photogenic, People’s Choice, Best Evening Wear, Best Interview, and one of two Best Costume awards. Busette was recognized with the Miss Congeniality title for her warm rapport with fellow contestants and audience members. Son also earned multiple accolades, including Best Ambassadorial Address, Best Swimwear, and the second Best Costume award, alongside recognition for the most outstanding talent performance.

The 2026 Soufriere Carnival is scheduled to conclude over the final weekend of July. The closing activities will open with the traditional early-morning J’ouvert celebration kicking off at 4 a.m. on Sunday, July 26, followed by a vibrant parade of Carnival bands through the town in the afternoon. The annual celebration will wrap up with the popular Last Lap Jump-Up street party on the following day, Monday, July 27.

Veteran Saint Lucian musician Melissa “Qpid” Moses is turning a silent, widespread crisis for women across the Caribbean into a compelling call to action with her brand-new single, *Backup Plan*. Far from targeting romantic relationships or encouraging partner distrust, the track carries a deeply personal message of empowerment, born from decades of observing women trapped in harmful dynamics they cannot escape.

In an exclusive interview with *St Lucia Times*, Qpid pushed back against early misinterpretations of the track’s core thesis, clarifying that the song is rooted in lived reality rather than cynicism about love. “The song isn’t about promoting distrust at all; it’s about reality,” she emphasized.

Contrary to some assumptions, *Backup Plan* was not inspired by Qpid’s own romantic experiences. Instead, it grew out of years of witnessing women suffer in abusive, toxic, and unstable relationships solely because they lacked the resources to leave. This unspoken crisis has long been an overlooked elephant in the room across many communities, Qpid explained: women spend years trapped in damaging partnerships because they see no viable exit. Without access to higher education, independent income, or a strong support network, leaving an unhealthy relationship can feel completely out of reach. Watching so many women end up stranded and broken after relationship collapse, with no safety net to catch them, was the catalyst that pushed Qpid to put this message to music.

The track’s narrative follows a fictional woman who is left with nothing after her long-term partner abandons her for another person. While the story is fictional, Qpid notes that it mirrors the experiences of countless women across the Caribbean region.

Qpid stresses that building a “backup plan” does not mean going into a relationship expecting it to fail. It is an act of self-love and preparation for life’s inherent unpredictability. When a relationship becomes irreparably harmful, having a backup plan ensures women do not have to remain trapped out of helplessness. For the artist, this preparation extends far beyond just building a savings account. A comprehensive backup plan includes financial independence, emotional resilience, prioritizing physical and mental well-being, and consistent practice of deep self-love. Qpid points out that society already widely encourages people to have contingency plans for their careers and finances, so there is no logical reason to treat personal relationships any differently.

Beyond economic independence, Qpid also uses the single to challenge the harmful stigma attached to ended relationships. Too often, society frames a marriage or relationship that does not last as a personal failure, but Qpid argues this narrative needs to change. Even when two people give everything they have to a partnership, it can still come to an end. When a partner chooses to leave, women need to be emotionally and financially stable enough to walk away with their dignity intact. There is no shame in Plan A not working out, she says—all that matters is being able to pivot gracefully to Plan B.

Qpid’s ultimate goal for *Backup Plan* is to spark broad, open conversations about independence and what healthy relationships actually look like. For women, her message is clear: it is possible to love deeply while still investing in your own security and growth. She encourages women to start saving early, build their own support networks, and position themselves so they never have to face being left stranded with no resources.

She adds that the song’s message is just as relevant for men. Qpic hopes the track encourages dialogue about mutual respect and individual autonomy within partnerships. The core takeaway for all audiences, regardless of gender, is that walking away from an unhealthy dynamic should always be a viable option. No one should ever have to stay trapped in a harmful relationship purely for economic or emotional survival.

The road to the prestigious Calypso Monarch title has narrowed, after a panel of expert judges selected nine competing finalists during a packed semifinal event held Sunday evening at the National Cultural Centre on Barnards’ Hill, Castries. The defending 2025 titleholder, Dezral, will automatically retain his spot in the final round, bringing the total number of competitors vying for the crown to 10 when the grand final kicks off on July 11 at the Sab in Vigie.

Eighteen talented calypsonians took the stage for the two-song semifinal competition, turning the National Cultural Centre into a hub of electric energy. The venue was filled to capacity inside, while hundreds more gathered outside to soak in the lively festival atmosphere, viewing all performances on a large outdoor screen.

Fan enthusiasm ran particularly high for Gumtion, who delivered a standout pair of performances with his first-round track *Black Man* and second-round number *Creole Therapy*. Making his impressive local debut, current U.S. Virgin Islands Calypso Monarch John Gotti also earned widespread acclaim for his renditions of *My Proposal* and *Champion or Trumpion*. Across the competition, six female calypsonians – Nacheal, Menell, Devine, Ready, Lushanne and Mica – delivered powerful, soulful vocal performances, with three of the group advancing through to the final round.

The final lineup boasts impressive depth of experience, with five former Calypso Monarchs claiming spots: TC Brown, Educator, Menell, Herb Black and Walleigh. Rounding out the nine selected finalists are former National Carnival Queen Lushanne, Gumption, Ready, and Gotti. Ahead of the final, defending champion Dezral offered excited fans an early preview of his upcoming performance, staging a playful “mock trial” segment centered on the Joy case to showcase one of his new tracks.

The July 11 final is already building anticipation among calypso fans across the region, who are preparing to see which artist will claim one of Caribbean music’s most celebrated competitive titles.