Continued…

We showed up to the television studio right on time, not knowing what to expect. We didn’t have actual tickets, as Curtly said our names would be at the gate. But this was Australia, not the Caribbean, would it work just so?

Me: “Hello. We’re here for Sir Curtly Ambrose? Our names should be on a list? (we hope)”

Gate lady with list: “Oh Curtly yes yes! Here you are! He told us about you.”

Turns out we were now guests of Curtly Ambrose and got access to the friends and family sections. How exciting!

The judges table. Before the night began!

After a bit of waiting, they eventually led everyone into the studio. We found three seats with the perfect view – directly across from the judges and about 3rd row from the front. We had to make sure Curtly could see us and the flag!

We made it!

We were seated in the overall family and friends reserved section. The seats we chose had ‘reserve’ on them but we sat down only AFTER we confirmed that they were free for us to take. Some had reserved, some didn’t, some had reserved with a specific name. It was all over the place, but they told us we were good to go 🤷🏽‍♀️.

Now hear da drama* (T*:”But listen to this”)

As we got comfortable, the area quickly started to fill with more people. We tried to figure out where we could hold the flag – would we stand and wave it? would we be blocking someone’s view? – when about 10mins later, someone from the logistics team said we had to move.

Why?

Because apparently, the seats were reserved for someone else. *Confused face*

Yall just told us we could sit there.

They were insistent but we were frustrated. By now, all the good seats were taken and the show was due to start soon. Plus, yall told us we could sit there!

We now either had to separate from each other or move to the other side to stick together.

[Side note: The whole thing was a mess ‘cause as they continued to shuffle people from the friends and family sections (like if they was playing Tetrus with us). And dare I say the woman was blunt with a hint of rude even when they were in the wrong.]

Eventually, we played nice after a little ‘kick up’* (T*:”show of frustration), but, we thought, why spoil a good night? They moved us out of the family and friends section into the regular audience section (always be humble see lol), but at least we were still together.

So, now, we moved to the OTHER side. But hear what now….

They put us in the row by the judges.

Big desk. Three people intercepted our views of the dance floor but, whatever 🙄. But wait, it gets better…

The three judges for the show.

The contestants came out to record a dance number on stage. We immediately pulled out the flag to cheer Curtly on and we thought he saw us. We waved the flag to practice for when the show went live…

Next ting!

Da people dem come come tell me I cya wave da flag, cause I was sitting behind the judges.* (T*:”The coordinators told me I could not wave the flag because I was behind the judges)

“Anna you put mi ya?*” (T*:”Didn’t you place me here?”) is what I wanted to say yet, I was too confused and disappointed.

Go ahead….

Tek me from ma ‘good up good up’ seat from the next side* (T*:”Move me from my good seat in the other section). Fine.

Put me fu sidung behind dese ppl an block up ma good up good up view* (T*:”Put me to sit behind the judges to block my view almost entirely). Fine.

But, NO FLAG ????!?!?

It almost knocked the wind outta me.

How could I not represent for Sir Curtly, our country and our region in that way?? He was the ONLY international contestant and it would’ve meant so much to him, myself, our island and our region if we could’ve waved it.

The flag is me, I am the flag….

Look sharp, I thought about going home.

They said it was either we moved from these seats (and get put in the back of God knows where) to be able to wave it, or we stayed where we were, but with no flag.

We really didn’t want to move again so, much to our despair, I put the flag away 😢.

The disappointment was real but the three of us realized it was still a great opportunity. So, we sucked it up and played nice (yet AGAIN!).

Here’s what happened next:

1. They shuffled us (again), three seats over. ALL THREE of us were now DIRECTLY behind the judges. This meant we were now guaranteed to be on television. This wasn’t AWFUL.

2. A group of three was placed next to us after yet another audience shuffle. Turns out, they were friends of Curtly’s dance partner. We now had a solid group of 6 to cheer the dancers on!

3. Seated behind the judges gave you many advantages. You could ‘cheer’ or ‘boo’ loudly in their ears, ‘pree’* (T*:”Check out”) their scores before they were released to the audience and if nothing else, your hands were guaranteed to make it on TV as they were in the judges shot.

All in all, it was the real deal.

The production set!

It was a big production with lights, music, judges, cameras, applause, costumes and all the works. And Curtly was right in the middle of it all!

His performance was lovely (with some improvements to be made of course) but he had a big smile on the whole time. One judge in particular didn’t have the nicest thing to say about his performance but, all three loved his warmth.

You could also tell EVERYONE in the room had much respect for him (and even a soft spot). I felt as though this spoke a lot to his career and how revered he is in the country.

Source: 10 Network

HUGE props to him for taking on such a challenge and executing it the way he did!! As a country-woman I was certainly proud!

Overall, the experience was definitely television.

They hyped up the crowd constantly for cheers, had the audience record some sections over and over. As the three of us were in the ‘judges’ row, they told us to smile and be extraaaa with our reactions.

By the end of it all I was actually tired from all the fake smiles and cued applause!

It was late by the time it all ended…

But we hung around and met up with Curtly after!! When he came we waved the flag high high to greet him. He was cool and calm as I’m told he always is.

We had been the only ones in the audience for him, as his wife hadn’t arrived in the country yet, so he was thankful for our presence (not to mention we were the only other black people in there too 😅).

After congratulating him on his achievement though, to the judges comments he said,
“Don’t worry about the judges man. I comin for dem next week”

Yasss Curtly. Yasss 👏🏽👏🏽

🇦🇬🇦🇬🇦🇬🇦🇬🇦🇬🇦🇬🇦🇬🇦🇬🇦🇬🇦🇬🇦🇬🇦🇬🇦🇬

Curtly Ambrose made it down to the last 5 (out of 12) contestants before he was voted off (by the judges). He put up a good fight! (See one of his dance performances here)

I got to attend at least one more show to support him (by this time his wife had arrived too – more support!). It was lovely to see his performances and big props to him for always representing Antigua & Babruda and the Caribbean region in countless ways!

Go Sir Curtly! 💃🏽💃🏽

Till next time.

Yours truly,

Global Gyal


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