Divorce is 'PAINFUL' but D’Angel is ‘Stronger’
Dancehall diva gives advice
IT’S BEEN two years since the divorce between the Lady of Dancehall, D’Angel and the King of Dancehall, Beenie Man, was made official. The pair, who filed for divorce back in 2011, remained separated until all legalities were completed in 2019, signalling an official end to their marriage.
Being the celebrity figures they are, the disintegration of their union took place under the watchful eyes of the public. While the latter was not ideal, D’Angel admits that she was made stronger because of it. In her first extensive relationship interview since her divorce, D’Angel spills all the beans about the split and then dishes out some soul-stirring advice to women currently going through a divorce.
“When I was going through my divorce I made a lot of decisions that if thought through properly I wouldn’t have. It was very hard for me,”she said. “But I handled it with pride and humility (worse when I know I wasn’t in the wrong). I held my head high in front of the world. There’s this saying, ‘what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, I live by that word and that whole situation definitely made me stronger.”
Speaking of strength, D’Angel says it was during one of the most tumultuous periods of her life that she produced some of her best work musically. She admits that when things got overwhelming, music was her escape. “People fall out of love for several reasons, but some of the more common ones are trust issues, people growing apart and most times just them wanting different things. Or it could just be that they’re not compatible anymore; either way, the experience is painful and tough. But, at the same time, it can make you stronger if you allow it,” she said. “That time in my life was hard but that’s when I got one of my biggest songs to date titled, Stronger. That song was like therapy for me and to this day, it still gives people goosebumps because it was real. I didn’t hold anything back.”
Since then, D’Angel says her strength has been fortified through self-care, which has left her spiritual fortress so formidable that no negative force could penetrate it. For persons (not just women) currently going through the heartache of a divorce, D’Angel says self-care should be high on their list of priorities. “Thank God for my family and friends who stood by me and my strong faith in God that really got me through. But I did a lot of work on myself. I learnt to start putting myself first and everything began falling into place. So, the tip I would give for persons going through a divorce is to do what’s best for you. If you have to seek counselling do just that because it’s a tough situation to go through especially when kids are involved,” she shared.
D’Angel, who shares a teenage son with her ex-husband, admits that if parents are not careful, the split could have a harmful effect on their children. She says the latter was one of the main reasons why she held off on dating immediately after she and her former partner parted ways. “After my divorce starting a new relationship was far from my mind, especially as a public figure. I am judged a lot and it’s hard to date trust mi,” she said. “My main priority then and still is right now as a single mother is to continue raising my teenage son to the best of my ability so that he can evolve into the man that can definitely make an impact in this world.”
RELATIONSHIP STATUS
The Gud Gyal artiste says at present, her relationship status is single as she is in no rush to bring a new man into the space she’s created for she and her son. “I’m not rushing into any relationship. I’m single at this point by choice because being a mother I have to be very careful who I bring into my space and around my child. My son and I talk a lot he knows he’s my priority and he’s first in everything I do besides God. He’s smart and mature enough to know that if I choose to be in a relationship it won’t be forced and it will be the best for us because I consider my son in every decision I make,” she said. “My happiness counts but I won’t bring anyone around my child that will cause discomfort. That will never happen.”
To that end, D’Angel cautions single mothers in the dating world against rushing into a relationship, just because. “Pray about it first,” she advised. “It’s okay to date until you find the right person that you think would be good for you and your children. Make sure you get to know that person for at least a year before you take the step to bring them around your children. The most important thing a potential spouse must have for me, is good values, self-worth, respect and good communication skills. Pencil out what you’re looking for in a man before you go searching. Know exactly what you want and don’t go into things blindly.”