BBC 1Xtra star Joelah Noble shared her emotions about participating in the carnival parade, which saw her getting smeared in mud, paint and oil as per tradition, and even donning a bejewelled costume, in an exclusive interview with Express.co.uk.
The star looked like she was having the time of her life in the photos published on her Instagram account – and she’s since confirmed why the event has a special meaning for her.
“My dad’s from there and that culture is a big part of my life – but that was the first time that I’ve been to a Trinidadian carnival,” she enthused.
“It was amazing, everything I dreamt of and more. I plan on going every single year for the rest of my life.”
Carnival first came to Trinidad in 1783, and enslaved people who were unable to join the masquerade balls held by French colonialists held their own private mini-versions in their backyards.
However, the J’Ouvert street parties now represent the emancipation from slavery in 1838, when the slaves gained freedom and were able to party properly.
Some people theorise that the tradition of smearing participants in mud, oil and paint is a throwback to the Camboulay Riots in the Port of Spain area of Trinidad, when people covered themselves as a disguise, to avoid their identity being recognised.
Joelah enjoyed that part of the event, captioning her photos with a paint palette emoji and the words “Picasso ting”.
One of her photos went viral, receiving more than 664,000 Instagram likes, and gained even more attention than the glitzy winged carnival costume she donned later.
Though she danced in front of the cameras without a care in the world in her footage, Joelah admits she hasn’t always had body confidence.
“There were definitely moments where at college I felt extra insecure about my body,” she explained.
“We can all think I want my waist to be smaller or I want my belly to be flatter… but I’ve definitely learnt how to be happy with [my shape].”
She has now reclaimed her feelings about her body and channelled them into styling herself, something which she has a passion for.
The BBC 1Xtra radio host regularly posts pictures of her glammed up looks on Instagram, while she is all for diverse looks in fashion as well.
“Some of the Brit Awards outfits were really entertaining – that’s where Sam Smith had his black shiny thing, right?” she recalled.
“I love outfits like that, because it’s art at the end of the day and art is supposed to provoke a conversation and is supposed to bring something out of you, whether that’s positive or negative.
“Any outfit that’s catching my attention, I love it, even if I wouldn’t wear it myself because we can talk about it and it’s a piece of culture.”
For all the latest Entertainment News Click Here
For the latest news and updates, follow us on Google News.
