BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – WHEN former St. Kitts’ resident Crystal Cunningham was first discovered by Saints International CEO Deiwght Peters, it was more than romping the runways in haute couture designer pieces that were in store for the Trinidadian.
The model who worked at the FirstCaribbean Bank in St. Kitts from late 2006-2007 was eventually signed by one of South Africa’s top modelling agencies, Base Models.
While living in St. Kitts, Cunningham’s outgoing personality landed her the role of host for the first ever St. Kitts-Nevis Top Model competition.
She is now a TV hostess and producer for a 13-part-two-hour, Caribbean lifestyle magazine series and aims to leave a significant mark in the world.
‘SPLASH’, which airs on Viacom’s newest network - Centric (formerly BETJ) - is segmented by tasteful Caribbean and African music videos. It explores the Caribbean experience through a unique vantage point, where the viewer is taken on a journey of the cultural, musical and culinary diversities and similarities of the Caribbean islands.
Considered, the new kid on the block, Centric is broad-casted to 47 million homes in the US and an additional eight million homes across the Caribbean.
“I never thought hosting a lifestyle TV show would be so exciting,” said the former Assistant Company Secretary at FirstCaribbean Bank who holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics (Honours) from the University of the West Indies.
“I’ve been on helicopter tours, safaris, mountain climbing, jumped off cliffs into crystal clear, not to mention freezing lagoons, dune buggy driving and horseback riding. I not only get to visit some amazing places but I also get to meet and chat with many interesting people and dine in some of the most fantastic restaurants,” she said.
Cunningham has already toured the Caribbean and Africa interviewing celebrities and historical icons including Shaka Sisulu, grandson of freedom fighter, Walter Sisulu in the struggle to end Apartheid, Simon Pegg (Scotty from Star Trek), Michael Williams (Omar from The Wire), Tyson Beckford, Billy Mystic of the legendary reggae band, The Mystic Revealers, Demarco, Cecile, AJ Calloway, Icah Wilmot and Arturo Tappin.
The 5’10” beauty said that she is now currently working on a new project called Passport 868.
“The producers of SPLASH! are giving me my own TV show for the local market and it’s definitely something to look forward to as it provides behind the scenes access to some of the world’s most exclusive events such as Ms. World, World Cup and the BET Awards,” she said.
During her stay in South Africa, she was fortunate to receive jobs for Levis (Levis footwear Campaign in South Africa), Oprah Magazine, DRUM Magazine, Ponds, Jillz Apple Cider (Amsterdam), Badila (Greek Catalogue - Spring/Summer 2009 www.badila.gr) and Bouyguese Telecommunications (France).
SPLASH! airs every Saturday mornings at 8 a.m. on Centric
