Dancehall Divas EP Discusses The Show’s Future…
We have been covering Dancehall Divas, the world’s first dancehall lifestyle reality show since it’s inception in 2018.
For a relatively new concept and novel show, the reality series has done what many other shows couldn’t do and that is to launch. In the world of production, it is said that well over 65% of shows that were successfully pitched or developed did not make airplay for a variety of reasons; chief among them, the inability to find its core audience. Not so in the case of Dancehall Divas. The Executive in Charge and EP of the series, Heather Elliott-Whitehead who is also the creator worked tirelessly to see that her goal of producing this niche series not only came to fruition but also made an impact. The show was not void of controversies however and over the two years we covered the show, there were multiple changes, some of which made our headlines. Last Thursday, Dancehall Divas produced by Elliott-Whitehead’s production company LHDT Productions USA aired its final Season One episode in the North America market. The show is still currently on rotation in the Caribbean. We wanted to get the exclusive post-show scoop from the Executive Producer on what’s next for the show, so we tracked down Heather for an interview at her private pied-à-terre a few minutes outside of New York City, where as of Sunday she’s taken up residence to work on a few projects and according to her, force some much needed rest.
(We kept the interview details raw and unedited as recorded on Sunday, October 31st, 2020)
EPG: Hello Heather, great to talk with you again. How are you feeling about what you were just able to pull off?
Heather: Hey there, I hope you are well and safe. For me personally, overwhelmed. Overwhelmed with gratitude. I had no doubt I was capable because I know me, but it was far from easy.
EPG: How so?
Heather: Oh Gosh, that would take a whole day. I mean, I had no idea what I was getting myself into. This was not my world. I was entering something totally new and although naturally I am a risk taker, I am afraid, I still wasn’t fully prepared for the ups and downs (chuckles). I love the dancehall culture. It’s part of who I am as a Jamaican and someone who loves dancehall music, but much of what makes up the dancehall world as I came to find out wasn’t something that I necessarily wanted to be intimately involved in.
EPG: Like what do you mean? can you elaborate?
Heather: It’s hard to explain to someone who knows very little about the culture. No offence, but honestly, you would have to be part of it to understand the intricacies associated with the dancehall lifestyle and the drama it comes with . (chuckles)
EPG: Was it a bad experience then? is that what you are trying to say?
Heather: Not at all. Far from it. It was a culture shock. That’s it. A culture shock. I went into the project thinking one way and things evolved entirely differently and I think what makes up most of the experiences were the people. I had very interesting experiences. Some were within the realm of the series while it was being developed and other were just situations you find yourself in that you wouldn’t otherwise, particularly given my very conservative quiet life before. I became exposed to some elements I stayed clear of on a normal basis in my everyday day prior.
EPG: So let’s talk about the series. Are you satisfied with what you did?
Heather: Look, I have learned a long time ago that if you find yourself capable and willing to get out of bed each day and find the joy in the moment and find the courage to be creative, you have conquered the day. The fact that I was able to go to Toronto in 2018, shake up the local dancehall landscape even without a shred of intent, tells me that my power knows no bounds. We had significant challenges in the first year and after personal tragedy in the second year coupled with grave financial strain to complete the series, I was still able to pull it off. So am satisfied? Hell yes! It’s a freaking victory!
EPG: Let’s talk more about the challenges. What were some of the things you had to overcome to get here?
Heather: For one, I was doing this show by myself. I was an army of one. I have a very lean team in my overall operation and they had to manage the other things and projects so this was left to me. I am not trying to be presumptuous, but I don’t think anyone else could have done it really. It takes a certain level of audacity, skill and chutzpah to do this show given the limitations I had, starting with funding. A show like this if you do your research takes a hefty sum to even get off the ground and to think that we did a season with seven, thirty minute episodes for network TV without formal funding is unheard of.
EPG: So how did you do it?
Heather: Let’s just say rather unconventionally. Again there’s that audacity and faith that can make you do crazy things that actually work out. First I had to align myself with people who could understand the vision creatively and was open to being part of it. People like production personnel who they too wanted a break in the industry. What I have done successfully is to articulate what I wanted to accomplish along with what my limitations were. I shared the needs of the show, sold the concept and discussed what I could and couldn’t do at that time. They had the choice to walk away or continue. I have always been upfront about what the expectations were and that came from my legal training. I have been very fortunate to get support from some talented emerging professionals who used this series as a way to build their repertoire. I hate that I couldn’t write them a big check on the spot and I hate it even more when I have had to part with them due to creative differences or a moral breach or something, but I have always remained extremely grateful and appreciative of their contribution to the series. What I hope comes out of any association with me or the show is that those involved at any stage is able to learn from it. I see our show as a classroom. You come in not knowing what the subject of the day is and leave with a wealth of knowledge you can take into the real world and build from. I have always been a great teacher. I have always been told that. But specifically regarding the actual expenses of the show, that came entirely from my pocket. I had to be very resourceful and diligent in every area of production from recruitment to post production. Asking people to give of their time and work for a retroactive salary isn’t very popular and is always a last resort. The key as I said is to ensure that you are upfront and manage the rest of the expectations with precision. There needs to be balance in how the production is handled as well. I think I am a beast when it comes to managing my businesses and those skills I don’t take lightly. But the key to pulling off something of an anomaly like this is the people that chose to come along with you. Even though sometimes they can surprise you. I can recall one encounter I had with someone who agreed to work with us and when he found out that I wasn’t getting a development fund from a major studio or network, he jumped ship. Fast forward to 2020, our show premiered in the middle of a pandemic and I got an email from him asking for a job on my team. I have also been disappointed by a network partner who was a large part of why I pushed up the production date of the series. In large part, they didn’t do much to support the show other than air it and that was grossly disappointing. Don’t get me wrong, the fact that it was on TV was gratifying particularly for the cast, but it opened up my eyes to some to some the pitfalls of the industry. My thing is this; if you weren’t willing to see my vision when there was no money on the table, then you are not going to get on the bus as we journey to where we are headed inevitably. I take loyalty and commitment very seriously.
EPG: Speaking of Loyalty, a number of your cast have jumped ship.
Heather: I remember when I commented honestly and openly the last time about cast changes, it was taken out of context, so I am going to tread lightly, but I will be honest. Firstly I want to put it out there that everyone who’s ever been on our show was valued and counted and there was a reason why I selected them. The thing with us as humans is that we are all flawed. Me included. I can be very brash. I take no prisoners. I hold no grudges but I don’t play lightly. I have built my entire career and life on working hard, honestly, fairly and fiercely. Sometimes that makes me a force to be reckoned with and not everyone can deal with it. Whilst I believe it’s very few, I think people dislike me for a reason. They can’t stand my power. my confidence and my boldness. When it come to lessons, I make no apologies. I don’t have to say a word to you, for you to know I am no longer about you. I have that effect on people They hate that. That’s piercing. I think in a couple instances, that may have riled some people and clashed with their expectations. But at the same time, I have the innate ability to make people I work with or support feel powerful. I give them the wings to soar, without even trying. That’s my gift to empower. That’s why I am a successful image maker. What’s very important to understand however is that not everyone can be transformed. Not everyone is capable of understanding the magnitude of what you place in front of them. Sometimes it’s because of fear, sometimes it’s insecurity, their own weaknesses or in some cases, lack of character. Lack of True Character. I also think that if you are underestimated as a leader, which in some cases, I have felt from some people; you can easily be disrespected and my experience is that if you are not able to see my worth or value as a leader, then I am setting up myself for failure and we have no business working together. There’s no gray area with me and sometimes I hate that (chuckles). If I like you, I will go hard for you. Then when that door is shut, it’s usually shut forever. I don’t know how to look back. That’s usually the lingering problem. People get very upset at that and they do silly things to get my attention like write in vitriol blogs, gossip or nay-say, but none of that moves the needle. I am blind to it emotionally and once you are out of my purview, I tune you out completely. I may talk about something if and when it comes up or someone sends me something etc, but I imagine it can be frustrating for some people (Chuckles). But what I want people to understand including former castmembers is that I want everyone to succeed. They know that. They have dealt with me and I have never changed that stance. Not all former castmembers have left on bad terms and they were all valued within the space at some point. I want everyone to realize their fullest potential and I mean that. I will always root for women, no matter what. But if we have no association, it will be from a far.
EPG: Were you surprised by anything
Heather: Relating to the show generally? Yes Yes. I am surprised that we made such an impact in the demographic. Well, I knew we would, but I am surprised how vested people are, so much so that they take it real personal. You have people literally vested in the show and that’s wild. I guess I feel the same way about my favorite shows so I get it.
EPG: So what happens from here?
Heather: Sleep (Chuckles). Well not before we push out this two part reunion special in the coming weeks. Now that we have a packaged show, the strategy is clearer and the sell is easier. Now we have something that people want. I am ready to take it to the next level. I always remind people, you can hate me, but never underestimate me. There’s always something up my sleeve. Season One has taught me to move quietly. I now own that.
You can watch the entire Season One of Dancehall Divas for free here.
