00:16Born to Shine remains one of Carol Addison's most beloved songs, a timeless
00:21crowd favorite that owes its existence to her mother's encouragement during a
00:26difficult chapter in her life. In my late teenage years I was going through a
00:32little bit of a depression, it was what we treated as my culture banker and she
00:39didn't really know what the problem was she just noticed that I was a little
00:42sulky and stuff and one day I was leaving to go out to work at the time it
00:47was around 18 19 she stopped me and asked well what's going on and so I maybe
00:52hinted a little about what their stress was and she said child don't worry you
00:58know you were born to shine.
01:09Professionally her career started at the age of 19 but long before that she was
01:14just a young girl from Toonapuna who simply loved to sing. I was singing from a
01:20little child. I actually was in the public's eye from a program back in the day
01:27called Auntie Kay and I was on radio back then it was called Radio Trinidad because
01:33we just had two big stations at the time.
01:38It's time for Scouting for Talent.
01:41And then I progressed into television, Scouting for Talent where that was also competitive and I participated in that a
01:54couple of times and that of course gave me exposure.
01:58Although she once believed she would pursue a career as a pharmacist and even took up science subjects at Toonapuna
02:04Government Secondary School, music continued calling her.
02:07I always knew I would be a singer. It's as if God planted something in me. So even before I
02:14knew how this could possibly happen I just felt and I used to dream about being on stage. I used
02:21to dream about you know being being classy and presenting in a professional manner.
02:30She recalled unforgettable experiences performing alongside legendary entertainers including the late James Brown. She also shared stories about meeting other
02:40iconic stars including an unpleasant encounter with a certain female artist.
02:46I was not thinking of myself as a threat or competition because I looked up to all of these big
02:56performers because they were very very successful and also I respected them all. But for some reason she was not
03:03very friendly. For some reason I felt rejected.
03:08But on a brighter note, Addison said standing on the same stage as the Jacksons filled her with pride and
03:15remains one of the highlights of her career.
03:18Michael Jackson and the Jackson 5, that was exciting because they were the greatest, the best, the most loved and
03:25all of that. So I was happy to be you know on that show and be part of that kind
03:31of level.
03:32Despite her achievements, she said something was missing. That search for fulfillment led her closer to God and inspired her
03:40to begin singing gospel music. With songs like Take Me Back being her favorite to this day.
03:58While many see the music industry as glamorous, she says reality can be very different sometimes.
04:04There were times when I worked very very very very hard with the band several weeks and you go you
04:10do a show and at the end of it all you didn't even get paid to be able to pay
04:14the musicians you know for their back and forth their expenses and things like that.
04:20You know I'd take money out of my own pocket to try to compensate them.
04:23Growing up, Addison admired Aretha Franklin and drew inspiration from her journey. Now, as someone others look up to, she
04:32has her own message for the next generation.
04:35Pursue, pursue, pursue, stay on goals and pray.
04:42When asked about her greatest accomplishment, Addison's answer had nothing to do with awards, child success or international recognition.
04:50My biggest accomplishment is having two beautiful children. Honestly, they are such gifts. Of course, marriage. I got married. Married
05:02to the love of my life who passed away 11 years ago. But my children are just such blessings.
05:12Today, Addison continues to perform, inspire audiences and create new music. She is also preparing to release several new projects.
05:21I'm writing my book that is called Born to Shine and this has been in the making for a very
05:28very long time and I have many of my songs lined up already for a new album that's called Life
05:36is Good.
05:37And outside of music, Carol loves outdoors, exercise and traveling and exploring the world. She even finds herself back home
05:46to her training roots to get some bacon shack every once in a while.
05:50From local talent shows to international stages, from heartbreak to inspiration, Carol Addison's story is one of perseverance, faith and
06:00purpose, proving that she was, indeed, born to shine.
06:05Shine, shine, shine, shine. Let them follow you.
06:10I was born to shine.
06:20I am Carol Addison
06:22and thank you for catching up
06:25Roosha Edwards, Tier 6 News
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