Queenly: ‘We are magicians’
Naturally shy, but loud when she is in her comfortable zone.
Today, Seychelles NATION shares Queenly’s time at Seychelles Broadcasting Corporation’s (SBC) Paradise FM in the Behind the Mic series.
Seychelles NATION: When did you start working with the radio?
Queenly: When I first started working at Paradise FM I had no prior experience. Thus, I needed to have a feel of what the radio ‘business’ is all about by spending some time at the Radyo Sesel. This is how my journey started. It’s now three years since I’ve been working with Paradise FM.
Seychelles NATION: There are numerous forms of media, why did you choose radio?
Queenly: Despite my jovial behaviour as a radio presenter, I am somehow a timid person. Back then I was always involved in art. At one point in my life I used to sing and took part in some activities related to music and art in general. But it never crossed my mind that one day I would work on the radio. I’ve worked for many years in the tourism industry. Despite this, I have always enjoyed listening to the radio. I love radio because I have always been a fan of radio presenters, like Chicco, Oriji, Emma and Cus Man. I was their fan before coming to work here, and now I am really proud to work alongside them. I can say it is an honour to be doing so. I am a big fan of Chicco and I always enjoy listening to his radio shows. I was always texting him on messenger and asking him to play a song for me. But for me to be sitting in a studio at Paradise FM, is still today a real surprise. I do not know where I got the guts to apply for a post. Even when I applied for the post, I was not expecting to be accepted. However, after I had sent in my CV I quickly got a positive reply.
Seychelles NATION: It’s been three years now, talk about your experience.
Queenly: In terms of experience, my debut in the industry was a bit slow, and with a lot of pressure. At the beginning I was so scared and did not want to talk. In view that I had no prior experience, I had to start from scratch. Therefore, to be where I am today is an enjoyable journey. However, I’m still learning, and there is a lot more for me to learn. It has been a magnificent journey.
Seychelles NATION: What are the qualities you think one needs to become a radio presenter?
Queenly: I believe that you need to be someone with lots of patience and have a friendly personality to be able to work on the radio. I say this because we are all humans, and when we have our problems we cannot allow this to hinder what we do on the radio. When you switch on the mic, you are serving the people, even people overseas are listening to you; so, you cannot be angry and have an attitude like you are going to teach them a lesson. There are lots of people who depend on radio presenters. As a radio presenter, I understand that I am the one who can have either a positive or negative impact on the mood of my audience. This is despite the fact that no one will change my mood if I’m not particularly well on a given day. I understand that as a radio presenter one cannot bring personal problems in the studio. Moreover, there are always different people texting you and listening to you and it is perfectly normal that some will like what you are doing while others will not. You must be someone who can work under pressure; basically be a multitasker also.
Seychelles NATION: You talked about criticism. Surely you have heard people talking about your programmes, whether positively or negatively. Please share some reviews you have received from your audience. Also talk about the relationships you have been able to build from these.
Queenly: I have been able to build a relationship with my audience eventhough it was slow for me to build my self-confidence. In fact, the relationship I have with my audience has got me to feel good about myself and my work. I was like a crazy person at first on the radio. I did not know anything. I was scared, but the audience kept me going. I remember being thrown in the ‘radio’s deep end’ at the beginning so that I could build my confidence. But like others before me, I received the necessary support for me to grow. The fact is that people really love the FM station, they appreciate the shows and what the station does in general. Beyond my wildest dreams, I never expected that I could have this kind of impact on people’s lives as a radio presenter. I receive good reviews for my shows regularly.
As is the case for any radio presenter, the programmes should be entertaining and speak to the audience. In Queenly’s case, this is absolutely true. Her Monday night which is about health and social, a bit of everything, receives a lot of praise from her audience. There are different audiences for different shows. Moreover, her audience really enjoys the live debates. People really appreciate all the different shows that she has been engaging them in, until now.
Seychelles NATION: What are the programmes that you currently host?
Queenly: My first programme in the morning is called ‘The breakfast Show’ which starts at 6am and ends at 9am. This is a dual presentation with my colleague Emma. It is very important to be an early bird and get to the studio as early as possible. For my morning show I get up at 4am, reach the office at 5am and be ready at 6am to greet a very good morning to my audience. So, if you do not hear from me in the morning, there is a problem (LOL).
Another show that I present on Paradise FM is ‘Partners in Rhyme’ with Oriji on Wednesdays. This is where we meet up with artists of different genres from 8pm to 10pm. Surprisingly, for a show at this hour, I expected that there would be limited participation from my audience, but people do actually listen. I also do ‘Mic Live’ on Monday nights from 6pm to 8pm. This show is about talking to different people who explore taboo subjects such as sexuality, health, criminality, etc… In this show, I’ve talked to people whom I thought I would never had the chance to meet. For example ministers, chief executive officers, etc…
Seychelles NATION: As a radio presenter, how do you connect with your audience?
Queenly: As presenters, I consider that we are magicians on the radio. I know that it is not always easy to paint a picture for my audience and to make them see what I want them to see. But as radio presenters we do that and we even make them dream of many things. As a presenter you can actually feel and see what your audience is feeling and seeing. You have to make them dream, and plunge into this picture with them. As difficult as it can be at times, you must know how to do it.
Seychelles NATION: What have you enjoyed the most since becoming a radio presenter?
Queenly: The thing I’ve appreciated the most during my career so far is that I have been able to get a job that I can keep. I believe that if you are working and thinking about the salary only and the time to go home, it is unhealthy. It means that you are not happy in this job. I do not feel like that at present. I really appreciate my job. I also like the fact that Paradise FM is a small team that is united and everyone gets along really well. We understand each other. I enjoy the fact that we have a good rapport with our audience. Without them we would not be here and our radio would not remain as number one.
Seychelles NATION: Any last words?
Queenly: From the beginning, it was difficult, but now it’s easier as I have gotten used to it. But as always, there is room to do better. You cannot master everything at one go, because there is always something new. Yes, I am used to all these buttons, but, there is more to learn. I am someone who loves to learn and always want to be better. I feel that I am now somewhere where I want to stay. I want to remain here and grow. On the other hand it is not easy. Like I have said previously, you must be patient and be able work under pressure.
Usually my programmes last for about 2 hours and people tend to think that radio presenters work only for the two hours that they are on air and then go home. This is far from the truth. After the shows, as presenters we go back to the office and begin preparations for the shows the following day. We also work a bit like journalists as we need to conduct interviews. However, there are days that we get to leave earlier, but it is all about how flexible the work can be on the given day.
Source: Seychelles Nation