National Calypso Queen 2011 Heather McIntosh doesn't hold a valid US visa and certainly isn't worried about obtaining one. McIntosh copped the title on Monday when she defeated 17 competitors with her rendition of "Keep It"-a message to the US Embassy. She said, however, the song was not intended to bash the embassy but was an appeal to T&T citizens to appreciate what home had to offer before venturing beyond Caribbean waters.
In an interview yesterday, 32-year old McIntosh said she was "overjoyed" having emerged victorious.
Her victory, however did not stop her from returning to work as normal as a sales manager at Sissons Paints in Chaguanas. She was yet to be told of her winnings, she said laughingly. McIntosh said: "It has been a little while since I won. "My last win was in 2002 when I first copped the National Calypso Queen title." She was 23 then.
McIntosh said she obtained a ten-year visa in 1999 but never travelled directly to the US. When her visa expired in 2009, she never re-applied. She said: "I have never really fought to get one. "In March 2000 I had to travel to Brazil via Miami to attend university and I needed a US visa just in case of anything.
"It was more of a precaution." Having sung the song written by her "daddy" Llewellyn McIntosh aka "Shorts Pants" she said she was not worried about being denied entry if she planned to re-apply.
"I am not worried. "I don't fault them for denying anyone entry whom they deem unacceptable for whatever reason. "I would hate to think that the US Embassy uses calypso competitions and performances as a criteria for denying entry," the mother of a two-year old son said. Monday was the 27th edition of the competition which was held at the National Academy for the Performing Arts in Port-of-Spain.
McIntosh has been performing since she was seven and among some of her titles were the 1995 Junior Calypso Monarch, 2004 and 2005 Unattached Calypso Monarch and 2005 Best Political Commentary.
Last year Kizzie Ruiz won the title with her rendition of Aide Haiti. Having captured the title this year, McIntosh will no longer be able to enter the competition. Speaking of her victory, she said: "It gives me a sense of accomplishment. "It feels nice to win a national award as significant as the National Calypso Queen.
"Here it is T&T is saying I am the best female calypsonian. "It is a sense of pride to know your efforts are appreciated" McIntosh attributed her success over the years to her family and circle of loyal friends.
She said for the last ten years she had been singing with her back-up singers saying "loyalty is hard to find." Her best friend from secondary school attends all her performances including her in-laws. McIntosh called for more to be done to encourage young people into the calypso arena and praised the efforts of other women who continued to participate in the art form. "It is an excellent thing and shows there is still an interest in the art form. "We have a responsibility to echo the views of the public," McIntosh said.
