The Star (Jamaica)

Spice returns to ‘Love & Hip Hop’

- SHEREITA GRIZZLE

This will mark Spice’s second consecutiv­e season on the internatio­nal hit TV series, and although she cannot guarantee a drama-free stint on the show, she has revealed that her character has grown and will be much more focused this season. In an interview with

Spice explained that with her song also hitting outside of Jamaica, she will be using the

platform to further discussion­s around the issues of colourism.

She said that the show contribute­d to the traction the song received overseas and explained that it would only be right to talk about her experience­s and allow others to share their own on the show.

“My character and storyline this season will be based on

They (the producers) want to dabble more into that story, and I think it’s something worth discussing on that platform,” she said. “If I wasn’t on

so many internatio­nal media wouldn’t carry my

picture. I would just be a girl from Jamaica. I believe it was the franchise that allowed so many internatio­nal press to get more familiar with my brand and what I’m about, so I want to talk more about black hypocrisy on the show.”

She said that the American audience is different from Jamaica’s but that black people everywhere go through the same experience­s just because of the colour of their skin.

“So I’m hoping it will put as much attention on those issues as much as possible. I’ve seen how much the song has helped men and women in Jamaica, and I’m hoping that by having the same discussion­s on I can help people in America as well,” she said. Aside from shedding light on issues affecting black people, Spice is also hoping to push dancehall even further by being on the show.

She says that the dancehall space enjoyed much attention from her being included in the cast as more persons in the US market were introduced to the music.

“Notice when the foreign press comes out with my name they say ‘Spice from

because that’s where they know me from. It’s now my job to work hard and change that so they can now search and get familiar with my dancehall music. I decided to do a next season because I still have a lot more room to develop internatio­nally. I am more seasoned to the show now, so you will definitely see and hear more of my music.” Although her character will be more rounded this season, Spice said that the latter does not mean she would be a walkover. She explained that she would not go out seeking trouble but said that if trouble finds her, she would not back down.

“I will always stand up for myself in any way, shape, or form,” she said.

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