D’Angel’s model career helped her transition to music - Joins in saluting former boss Michael Barnett

Model-turned-artiste D'Angel says dancehall "was not ready" for the soft physique she brought to the hardcore space.

"Dancehall wasn't even ready for such posture, grace and poise - how I walk into a room and command that room, how I walk on stage and manage to run in heels. Everybody's like 'Who is this girl? Who's this tall, slender woman?' You don't usually have those kind of characteristics in dancehall. Dancehall is hardcore and I brought that soft glam and I wasn't accepted, but they were forced to accept me because of the [curiosity] I created," D'Angel told THE WEEKEND STAR.

She revealed that the criticisms she got as an "uptown girl" pushed her to pen her breakthrough single, Down Town Girl, which forged for her a "name and place in dancehall".

"Just the whole entrance in music gave me that song because they never took me seriously. Then realised that 'Oh she come with something with substance.' From then on, my music has always been a sound of feel-good music with a storyline," she said.

D'Angel made these statements after ripping the runway and giving a nostalgic performance among her former peers of Miguel Models, who organised a surprise birthday party and appreciation tribute to the agency's CEO/founder, Michael Barnett, to honour him and "give him his flowers while he's alive". The event took place last Sunday at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston. The event featured an evening of fashion, infused with music and entertainment while persons showed appreciation for Barnett's great work in the field of art and music.

"It was a tremendous and overwhelming feeling," Barnett told THE WEEKEN D STAR. "It was unexpected because I didn't know until the last minute - they just invited me to the Pegasus [for] a little thing for my birthday but when I got there, I was in shock."

"I'm still walking on cloud nine," he laughed. "It's the greatest feeling I've had in my life; it was just awesome." D'Angel said "it was a moment for the books".

"I felt like I was back with Miguel Models because everyone felt like family," D'Angel reminisced. "He (Barnett) was the one who discovered 'Angel' but I add the 'D' when I started doing music. But he was the person who helped to mould me into who I am today - the great fashionista and artiste."

The event's main organiser, Marcellas James, said Barnett deserves to be honoured and his legacy documented and preserved for a lifetime.

"Through pursuing his passions - fashion and music - he created stars and breathed new life into our once old, forgotten Jamaican artistes. He literally brought back good old Jamaican music and performers to the fore with his music concerts such as 'Heineken Startime' and 'Dennis Brown and Friends Inseparables,' some lasting over 30 years. He treated and continues to treat us Miguel models, like his own daughters," James shared.

Miguel models was formed in 1986 to help young women with grooming and a way to network and further their careers.

Barnett said that D'Angel, who became a member in 1996, was a "fantastic model...[with] a fantastic charisma and a good singer who told me she wanted to be a star".

"Music is fashion, entertainment [and] charisma. So I was well-trained and transitioned smoothly as the only model of dance and it's evident in my whole aura. So I'm very distinct in my persona [and] in identifying who I am. From yuh see D'Angel, you know that's a model right there," she laughed.

The artiste also credited the "grassroot teachings" of Barnett for the poised character and resilient strength she built to take on both personal and musical challenges, leading her to being a force to be reckoned with.

"It also taught me confidence beyond imagination, owning a room once you enter that room. So it was an easy transition for me to own the stage and be a good performer...[while] developing my posture and socialising skills," D'Angel noted. However, she said one of her greatest lessons was "how to win, how to lose and still be a winner".

D'Angel, who won 'Best New Model' and 'Model of the Year' shortly after joining Miguel models, later entered the 'Miss Jamaica Fashion Model Pageant' where she received the sectional prizes for 'Best Legs' and 'Most Congenial', placing fifth.

The I'm Blessed songstress said she has no regrets in the transition to music but reiterated that her mantra as a model - 'once a model, always a model' - will soon see her reigniting that distinctive runway fire in several model-related upcoming projects.

"Music is genetics but modelling is my first love, suh just watch out fi D'Angel - the model of dancehall," she laughed.