Shermain Jeremy
| Shermain | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Shermain Sunja Jeremy |
| Born | 24 June 1983 |
| Origin | Antigua and Barbuda |
| Genres | Reggae Pop |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, Ambassador |
| Years active | 2003–present (singing/Beauty Queen) |
| Labels | Tropic Gem Records |
| Website | shermain.com |
Shermain Sunja Jeremy (born 24 June 1983) is an Antiguan singer and beauty pageant contestant, winner of the Miss Antigua and Barbuda Carnival Queen Show competition in 2002, and Jaycee's Caribbean queen show that year.
Biography
Shermain Sunja Jeremy was born on 24 June 1983 to the Hon. Longford Jeremy and Sonia Jeremy. She became a public figure when she won Miss Antigua Hal Jackson, and in 2002 when she won the local Miss Antigua Queen of carnival competition. She also won many regional competitions.
Jeremy went on to win the regional Jaycee's Caribbean Queen competition and the Miss PJD2 Caribbean 2003 in Dutch St. Maarten. In 2004 she represented her home country Antigua and Barbuda at the Miss World competition and was named the Most Talented Woman in the World. In 2005, Jeremy again represented her country at the Miss Universe competition, and though highly favored, she did not make it into the Top 15.
In pursuit of her musical career, in 2005 Shermain won an interview with major recording label Atlantic Records after competing against 15 other performers in New York. Jeremy however chose take her musical career into her own hands, and has put together a team of close family and friends with experience in the entertainment industry to create the newly independent Antiguan/Caribbean Record label, TropicGem Records.
Shermain, in an interview with an Antiguan newspaper Antigua Sun said: "I decided not to sign on to a major label, since I would have to give up control, in terms of how I wanted to be portrayed. I want to develop under TropicGem Records, and perhaps sign a major label deal after that. I want to be seen as a Caribbean artist and I feel obligated to share my music with my people here in Antigua & Barbuda first, and then across the world."
Shermain has become increasingly popular in Antigua, the Caribbean, and on the international stage. She has graced the June/July issue of Black Hair Magazine. She was influenced by artists such as Alicia Keys, Aaliyah, Mariah Carey and Beyoncé.
Shermain's has had recent performances on the WB11 and Fox 5 morning news, and she has even been a guest on the well known syndicated Wendy Williams Experience. She is now the face of Farouk Systems' newly launched Deep Brilliance Hair products and the voice of Antigua and Barbuda's "Passion in Paradise" promotions.
Having performed in her hometown of Antigua, The New York City area and Canada, Shermain is optimistic that her musical dreams are about to be realized. Shermain is bringing her culture into her music, creating the new sound of the "reggae-pop".
She hopes to follow in the success of her fellow counterparts like Shaggy, Sean Paul and Rihanna.
Early life
Shermain, from a very young age, showed great proficiency for dance and song. She was raised in the village of Parham one of the most oldest and first towns in Antigua with her younger sister. She made her singing debut on the church choir at the age of 12, she also played leading roles in her school plays. She was an honour student, Deputy Head Girl, on the debating team and won many oratorical competitions. Shermain was also an athlete and was awarded MVP for her school basketball team and athlete of the year. She even won her school's (Christ the King High School) Queen of the Form competition.
Education and employment
Shermain attended the St. John's Catholic Primary, the Christ the King High School, and the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, and became the recipient of the Thrugood Marshall Scholarship for academic excellence and the Student Service Award for excellence in Service on campus and in the community. In June 2004, Shermanin graduated magna cumme laude with a B.A. in International Justice and a minor in English. At this present moment (2006) she is employed by the Government of Antigua & Barbuda and is posted in New York at the Permanent Mission to the U.N. where she is the special assistant to the Ambassador.
My Way, My Style (2009)
In May 2009 Shermain released her debut Album, My Way, My Style. She and her sister, Sumita Jeremy, started the Caribbean record company Tropic Gem so that Jeremy could have control over her image and her career. Her debut single, "I Came to Show You", was released Summer 2006, and is on steady rotation across the Caribbean region, in the USA and in parts of Europe. She also recorded a remix to the single with renowned Jamaican singer Vybz Kartel.
Other members on Shermain's team include Caribbean music and entertainment specialist Teneille "Slayha" Doyle, who acts as publicist and A&R for Shermain and Tropic Gem Records. Others are Myron Henry and Wadley Clauter.
She recently won the award for the most talented female singer from the Underground Music Awards in New York City.