Q. Is Cherine Anderson your birth name or a stage name?
A. Cherine Anderson is both my birth name and my stage name.

Q. As a young and talented actress and songwriter who grew up in Kingston, Jamaica. What are some of the things that you would try to fix if you were given a second chance?
A. I’m simply an entertainer, so I’ll just try to entertain people to the best of my abilities. But, things that I’d love to see for my fellow Jamaicans are great education opportunities; free through the college level, with superior extracurricular activities including sports, music and drama. And a health care program that would provide basic health coverage for everyone.

Q. What was it like acting alongside Kymani Marley in the film “One Love”?
A. Working with Kymani was great. He is very talented and I really enjoyed working with him. We had the privilege of working on the soundtrack for the movie prior to filming, so we really got to connect as artists. I enjoyed working with all the members of the cast. We had a great combination of personalities.

Q. Did you land a role in both films Dancehall Queen and One Love by an audition or direct connections with the movie producers?
A. I actually auditioned for both roles. I knew there were a few young ladies that were considered for the part of “Serena” in the movie One Love. My manager Patrick Lindsay was contacted about the project, and after a few meetings in the UK with producers of the film and an evaluation of the script, I auditioned for the part. I must say that my work in Dancehall Queen was what brought me to the attention of the film’s producers. In addition, we also decided that we should pursue the musical aspect of the movie. After reading the script, I really loved the character of “Serena”, so I wrote and recorded the song “This Angel” which we submitted to the producers for consideration. This was a great opportunity to satisfy both my passion for acting and singing in one project.

Q. In the film One Love, your character was “Serena”. Tell us; are there any similarities between this character and you as a person in real life?
A. Both “Serena” and Cherine love music. We are both from a very strong church upbringing. That being said, I am a lot more outgoing and exposed to the realities of life than my character “Serena”. I think I have a greater sense of style (smile). I love clothes that celebrate my femininity, I love colors. Also my parents are very supportive of my decision to become an artist in the entertainment industry.

Q. “Tanya” in the film Dancehall Queen was very popular in Jamaica. Do you get the credit you deserve as a standout actress in the part you played?
A. I just work every day to improve, and I look forward to doing more great films. I really just want to represent Jamaica and make my people proud. I am extremely proud to have been a part of the project; it’s now a Jamaican cult classic and one of the few Jamaican films that is regularly rotated on cable stations in the United States. Everywhere outside of Jamaica that I travel I meet Caribbean people who come up to me and recite lines from that film. It’s a part of who I am, and people are now able to make the connection to Cherine ‘the singer’ and Cherine as “Tanya” from Dancehall Queen, and I am really thankful for that.

Q. How was it working with respected performers and producers such as Wyclef Jean, Jimmy Cliff, Sting and even Sly & Robbie?
A. The first time I worked with Clef was in New York with Jimmy Cliff and Sly & Robbie. He is so creative and talented. I really learned from him and he made me feel very comfortable in the recording booth. It was also my first time working with Jimmy Cliff. That was a surreal experience for me.

Working with Sting was amazing. He is so humble and was willing to share his experience. What stood out most in my mind was how down-to-earth he was. We drove together in the back of a little Nissan Sunny from Strawberry Hill to the studio, for such a mega performer he was so genuine.

Sly & Robbie are my musical family, we have the same management; we all really work as a team. They understand me, they support me and we make beautiful music together. I have mad love and respect for them. I couldn’t ask for a better team.

Q. Other than being an honored Bachelor Degree holder from Middlebury College, what else influences you most to pursue your career?
A. I love the stage. I love people and I love seeing people enjoying themselves, I was born with a passion for performing.

Q. To my knowledge, you went to school in three different parts of the world: Jamaica, Japan and America. What can you say about the educational backgrounds in all three countries?
A. I attended primary (elementary) and high school in Jamaica. This is where I developed my educational foundation and a true thirst for learning. I spent three years in America pursuing my bachelors at Middlebury College. Middlebury had a very diverse student body. There were students from places I had never heard of; but it was an academically challenging school and everyone there was so smart, so there was no standing out intellectually (hahahaha)! Japan was the most interesting school experience I’ve had. I attended Keio University in Tokyo, Japan for a year. There is so much order in Japan that it was frightening. I even had to go to school on Saturdays. Nonetheless, I enjoyed the challenge and the technology.

Q. How many albums do you have out and which of them could be considered your most successful?
A. I am currently working on my debut album. The album is really eclectic and will feature production from Sly & Robbie, Christopher Birch, David Norland among others.

Q. Will you consider working with movie directors Rick Elgood and Don Letts tedious?
A. I loved working with Rick and Don. I respect their work tremendously. I have learned so much from working with them and I welcome the opportunity to work with them in the future.

Q. As a singer, performer and a writer, can I also include dancing to your talents?
A. I come from a theatrical arts background. So I do have training in singing, acting and dancing. I look forward to doing the video for one of the more up-tempo dance tracks from my album. This will give me an opportunity to showcase a different side of myself.

Q. The lyrics of “Kingston State of Mind” reach out to the masses in a strong way. What were your objectives?
A. My aim was to raise awareness of the political inequities, gun violence, etc., that affect all (including me) as a young woman in Jamaica. I grew up in the ghetto and I know first hand how the political game plays against us, so I wanted a record where I would tell my story in a real way. I didn’t want it contrived; I just wanted simplicity and honesty. I think that record has totally surpassed my expectations. It gave me the opportunity to direct my very first music video and to incorporate kids who are now affiliated with institutions like Excelsior Primary and Ashe, which were instrumental in helping me hone my performance skills.
I was also very happy when Wyclef decided that he was so moved by the record that he wanted to come on board, so he is on a hot remix of “Kingston State of Mind”. It’s funny how you set out to write a song, and then the whole journey of writing and releasing the song creates some kind of movement. It feels amazing to see my own video on charts and have kids come up to me and tell me they love the song.

Q. Before anybody makes it to the top in this entertainment business, they go through so many different transitions. One is working with different producers. How many record labels have you signed with since you started your singing career?
A. I am not currently signed to a label. I am working independently. We are in the foundational building stages of my career. My management believes it is very important to address our core Jamaican and Caribbean audiences. When time comes to take it to that ‘next level’ then we will shop for a distribution deal, but for now we believe it’s more important to create good music and gain credibility through performing for my core audiences. I’ve had the opportunity to perform at some of the biggest reggae festivals in the world. I’ve played at the prestigious Hollywood Bowl to more than 17,000 people. I’ve also been blessed to be a featured vocalist on my first North American Tour with Sly & Robbie. I’ve recorded on songs with multi-platinum and award winning artists like Paul McCartney, Sting, Bootsy Collins and Wyclef Jean to name a few, and this year I had my first number one song and video “Coming Over Tonight” with Chuck Fender. Chuck has been very supportive of me as an up and coming artist, and I really appreciate that. Nuff respect goes to Chuck Fender!! I am truly just having the time of my life and feel blessed for every opportunity.

Q. What can you say about your family support towards your success?
A. I couldn’t ask for people who are more real and honest. I love my family. They keep me grounded and they support me 200%. They genuinely love me and I know I can count on them at all times.

Q. Is “Princess of Dancehall Soul” a self-proclaimed name?
A. Dancehall Soul is the type of music I make; it’s a mixture of reggae, dancehall, soul & R&B. It incorporates the grittiness of my past and the sweetness of the things I’ve been exposed to. My management came up with the “princess” title.

Q. When were you first informed about your two International Reggae and World Music Awards (IRAWMA) in the categories Best New Entertainer as well as Best Female Vocalist?
A. You know, my manager informed me pretty much as soon as the nominations were announced. I can just tell you that while we all want to win, the fact that I was recognized truly meant a lot and I was thankful to be recognized among the many outstanding artists.

Q. As an award winner of Best New Female Artist of 2006, what was your reaction on stage and that of your producer?
A. The award was presented on HOT 102 in Jamaica. I won Best New Female Artist for 2006 at the Excellence in Music and Entertainment Awards. It was a good feeling. Winning is definitely a great feeling, but again my belief is that even if you don’t win, just being nominated makes you know that people are paying attention to what you are accomplishing.

Q. How long have you been working with your current Record Label Dream Queen Productions/Zlink Entertainment?
A. I’ve been working with my team for the last 8 years; my manager Patrick Lindsay has truly been instrumental in the development of my career.

Q. What should the fans expect this year and in more years to come?
A. I just completed a 17 date tour of North America and Canada with Sly & Robbie, and I am expecting to tour Europe in the fall. I am also in the process of completing my debut album. I was also featured on an interactive TV series called Choices on MTV Tempo, which is important to me because I am able to lend my support to a very important cause: HIV and Aids in the Caribbean. I just look forward to performing and tackling all the opportunities that come my way!

Website: http://www.myspace.com/cherineanderson

This interview was conducted by Jud Benjamin; WeJamaicans.com’s senior online promoter. Email her at jud-the@wejamaicans.com