Xavier the new Guardian Angel

Twenty-seven-year-old Michelle Xavier of Imij & Co is the official face of AS Bryden’s Corporate Social Responsibility Programme, Guardian Angels. The programme, aimed at promoting responsible drinking is usually highlighted throughout the year, however, in the months of February and March, where alcohol is consumed at a higher level due to Carnival, more initiatives are being executed. Guardian Angels 2011 was launched on February 5 at the Wicked in White Carnival Fete held at the Queen’s Park Oval.

The programme was created by DIAGEO, an international beverage manufacturer.  Musically, Xavier’s Feteing for Days would go down as a C2k11 hit. The song was written by someone who has never been to T&T, but who loves soca. That’s why the song has a very different approach. It was entertainer Kees Dieffenthaller who took that faithful step to introduce Xavier to Imij & Co during its infancy a decade ago. Since that time she had established an unswerving relationship with the band and held the rank as its longest serving lead vocalist. 

When she joined, the then 16-year-old had to learn every genre of music the band performed, except rock and classical. Her background was classically based being a member St Gabriel Girls RC School and Naparima Girl’s High School choirs, both in San Fernando with major appearances at church, the T&T Music Festival and even school plays.

“I did not know I had the versatility to sing anything else. At the time I was very close friends with Kees. I used to look at him and admire how he could sing so many different kinds of music and do it well. I never thought of myself like that until I joined Imij & Co. They gave me a lot of different music to sing. I never backed down. They gave me the avenue to explore my versatility which I didn’t even know about,” said Xavier.