Page 13 - 6-10-16 Friday's Edition

FLORIDA SENTINEL FRIDAY, JUNE 10, 2016
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Shyann Roberts: ‘Chasing Her Destiny’ Has Led St. Pete Native To The Brink Of Superstardom
Group chosen shown with Kelly Roland, 2nd from right.
BY KENYA WOODARD Sentinel Feature Writer
Tampa Bay fans of Kelly Row- land’s BET docuseries, “Chasing Des- tiny” may have done a head tilt when 19-year-old Shyann Roberts’ face ap- peared on the screen.
That’s because before she appeared on the show, Ms. Roberts spent many dues-paying years singing at a number of sport, church, and community events.
“She sang everywhere,” said her mother and manager, Qiana Horsley. Highlights include sharing a stage with gospel stars, Mary Mary and Deitrick Haddon and opening for
Boyz II Men.
Now, Ms. Roberts is on the brink
of superstardom after she was selected as one-fifth of the yet-unnamed girl group hand-picked by singer and Des- tiny’s Child superstar, Kelly Row- land.
The show chronicled the journey of dozens of hopeful young women singers who vied for the chance to be part of the next big girl group. After seven episodes, the slate was whittled down from 18 to 5.
In a telephone interview from her St. Petersburg home, Ms. Roberts talked about her experience on the show and how she’s preparing for the blast of fame that’s ahead.
Ms. Roberts said rumors were floating that only three or four women would be selected, so she was preparing to be sent home.
Instead, Ms. Rowland called her name.
“I was like, ‘oh my God, I made the group’,” she said. “Are you serious?”
Ms. Roberts said she’s always known that she would be a famous singer. The surprise is sharing that spot- light with four other young ladies, she said.
While she never imagined herself part of a group, Ms. Roberts said felt compelled to try out for “Chasing Des- tiny” which came about after plans to do “American Idol” fell through.
“I was like, ‘why not?’”, she said. “And, it’s Kelly Rowland. I could not, not do it.”
Looking back, Ms. Roberts – who’s affectionately known as the “baby” of the group – said she’s glad that she took a chance.
“I get to sing with these amazing, beautiful ladies,” she said. “I’m building a bond with these ladies that is so strong.”
Working with Ms. Rowland and famed choreographer Frank Gatson has been more than she could have imag- ined, Ms. Roberts said.
“I’m so thank- ful that she and Frank saw that I should be part of something so big,” she said.
Ms. Roberts’
addition to the group is her first big break in a 17- year pursuit of a music career.
She began singing as a tod- dler and held on to her dream through years of disappointments and ups and downs.
Growing up, singing was a daily focus for Ms. Roberts. Unlike her peers, she couldn’t participate in routine activities like going away to camp in the summer. Commitment to her craft re- quired many sacrifices, she said.
“I had to let go of some of my friends because they weren’t on my path,” she said. “I had to learn at an early age that all of those things would be there after (making it big).”
Ms. Roberts said when she once complained to her mother about her life being all music, all the time, Ms. Hors- ley offered a cutting rebuttal.
“She said ‘Shyann, you’re not an average child, you can’t do average
things,’” she said.
Ms. Roberts credits her mother
for being her biggest cheerleader and strongest supporter.
When Ms. Roberts decided to pursue her singing career full-time after graduating from Lakewood High School, her mother quit her job to act as
her manager.
Ms. Roberts said her
mother has always known that she would one day be
famous.
“She knew
that it would happen,” she
said.
Ms. Horsley
concurred.
“I knew from day
one,” she said.
But supporting her
daughter has not been without scrutiny from family and
friends, Ms. Horsley said.
“This hasn’t been the easiest path,”
she said. “You have to believe in your- self. You have to ignore all the naysay- ers.”
Ms. Horsley said she’s purposely kept her daughter focused on her goal.
“I always told her from day one there’s no plan B because once it gets hard, you’ll fall back on it,” she said.
As she moves forward to fulfilling her dreams, Ms. Roberts said she’s mindful that she isn’t singing just for herself.
“I sing for my city,” she said. “I want to put us on the map to show that it’s ok to follow your dreams.”
Honorary Chairpersons Excited About Community Unity Festival
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
On Sunday, June 12th, members of the community will come together in the First “Unity In The Community Fes- tival” will take place. It will be held at Centennial Park, 1800 E. 18th Avenue, from 12 noon until 6 p.m.
The festival is being hosted by members of the Positive Image Committee. And their goal is to cross all lines of sep- aration within the community.
Marvin Knight, founder of the Positive Image Commit- tee said, “We are asking people from all segments of the com- munity to come out in unity. We want people of all races, cultures, nationalities, reli- gious affiliates, and ages to come out. We want to elimi- nate all of the barriers that have separated the population of this community.
“The festival will have dis- plays from the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office and the
MAYOR BOB BUCKHORN
Tampa Police Department fo- cusing on tools they use to keep the residents safe. Health organizations will be on hand to offer information about health screenings and services available. And, representatives from the Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections Office will be on hand to register peo- ple to vote. We are also invit- ing other organizations from the community to come out and enjoy a fun-filled after- noon with food and entertain- ment.”
The Committee has chosen three honorary Chairpersons for the event. They are Mayor
SHERIFF DAVID GEE Bob Buckhorn, Hillsbor-
ough County Sheriff David Gee and Tampa Police Chief Eric Ward.
Mayor Bob Buckhorn
said, “I’m excited about the event and thankful to Marvin Knight’s efforts to pull this together. Anytime we, as a community, can come together from different neighborhoods, different backgrounds and dif- ferent faiths, it’s a good thing.
“This is community pride it- self on its diversity and occa- sions like this where we get to celebrate each other's suc- cesses and heritage can only be good for our city. It makes us
CHIEF ERIC WARD
stronger, it makes us better. It makes us more competitive and the more of these types of events that we can participate in, the stronger and better community we become.”
Hillsborough County Sheriff David Gee said, “The men and women of the Hills- borough County Sheriff's Of- fice are proud to participate in this special event, “Unity in the Community” that will focus on building positive relationships with all cultures and diversi- ties within our community.”
Tampa Police Chief Eric Ward said, ““We support events that bring officers and
MARVIN KNIGHT
community members from all walks of life together to strengthen relationships and safeguard neighborhoods.
“The police department of- fers a variety of free programs and services to help keep resi- dents safe and informed. This event gives us an opportunity to share those resources with the diverse population we serve.”
For more information about the event contact Mar- vin Knight at (813) 453- 5690; Chief Tom Forward at (813) 334-5705; or Ms. Trienicia Washington at (813) 928-3879.