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A, I was born of two amazing parents who are from the island of Jamaica. I grew up in New York and then moved to Long Island. I had a very good childhood. In long island I was
exposed to all races of people and that allowed me to see the world in many ways. I was inspired by my uncle, the late reggae legend Bob Marley, and that led me to want to make music.
I was a big fan of LLCool J back in the days and saw one of his videos and went to find him and try and work with him. He didn't live far from me, so I took my little brokenhearted car and knocked on his door. That led to us working together and being good friends when I was just 18. From there my drive and passion led me to having record deals and then I wanted to be on Sesame Street because I had just had my son and wanted him to see me on Sesame Street. The Sesame Street experience led to me being in films and TV shows. The biggest role to
date was playing the title role in a film called the Summer of Ben Tyler. I played Ben with James Woods and Elizabeth McGovern was nominated for best supporting actor for that
role. I then moved to California and was up for many big roles and did a few other films with other well-known actors.
I wanted to get away from the fast life of Hollywood and just raise my son and so I moved to Florida. I then started doing The Poor Chef cooking segments. I was not a fully trained chef but I learned how to cook from the family. It was a fun idea that took off and led to
cookbooks, sauces, spice lines and appearances on almost every major talk show from CNN, Dr Oz, The Today Show and scores more.
I was diagnosed with diabetes a few years into being this healthy celebrity chef and that’s when my life and career took another turn. I started focusing on documenting
my journey with diabetes and became a major diabetes advocate. I am now a published author with the American Diabetes Association, Blue Circle Champion with the International Diabetes Federation and award-winning film maker with a show on a major network TV that
takes five people living with diabetes and tries to save their lives. I just released a new film called The Diabetic You. I have been shooting this film for four years around the world based on my life with diabetes.
eleased a new film called The diabetic you i have been shooting for four years around the world based on my life with diabetes.
retirements.
I loved working as a lawyer – I loved calling myself a lawyer (it was a hard-won degree, and I’d put myself through my two degrees over 5 years (Law and Arts, majoring in Sociology), I’d fought hard for it, and I was proud of my achievements. I worked my way up the superannuation ladder, getting experience in all sectors, and my last job was one of the top in its field - running a superannuation fund as the Fund Executive Officer & Company Secretary for a company’s internal $90 Million Dollar Super fund. It was a great job – and I often tell my mum – nothing about it was anything remotely like being an actress – sitting behind a desk dealing with documents! But you’ve got to love mums who want to ensure their kids are on the right path!
I’m so grateful for my time as a lawyer – I’d reached a real pinnacle in my career running that super fund, and I learnt so many amazing skills and experiences that have set me up for my life as an entrepreneur and my legal career paid for my makeup line, Iridis Cosmetics, so I can’t begrudge it at all!
On a personal note, my journey of self-discovery involved a LOT of counselling – 7 years – and delving into the traumas of my past, and examining the things that held me back. My amazing counsellor helped me work through all of that and got me to a point of gratitude, release and increased self-awareness which really helped me in my business, as well as my life! Invest in yourself – it’s the best investment you’ll ever make.
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