I've known Rhona Fox for a while mostly through email communication. We finally met at the 12th annual World Creole Music Festival where she accompanied her then client Machel Montano who was a performer on the last night of the event. In a word one could describe her "happy". OK two- I had to throw in "professional." She had her business cards at hand and was very accommodating to the press and whoever else wanted Machel's time. She is a respected name in Caribbean entertainment and I am so proud to have her as my first interview in my 20 Questions segment!!!!!!!!
Did you guys know that she directed Gyptian's I can feel your pain video.And here's an inside scoop it was all shot inside her New York home! What I like about her is that everyone says things like "Rhona is cool people" "Rhona is sweet" "She is humble" "She is smart and beautiful!" That is something she should feel very proud of.
In an industry where there are just so many haters and trust is not always easily established, it's great to know that people like Rhona exist. It's no wonder why she has clients like Shaggy, Lil Jon, Machel Montano, Sean Paul, Kevin Lyttle, Annya Li, Richie Spice and Gyptian, of course to name a few. And no I am not naive, she is gorgeous and friendly, but she is also diligent, hardworking and dedicated. A great example for women who want to make it in any field (she has paid her dues and proven her value), Rhona continues to use her talents, skills and knowledge to forge ahead as a leader in the Caribbean entertainment forefront. She has enlisted a loyal team who put out QUALITY work. Yeah, "classy"- that is definitely a word that comes to mind when trying to describe a Rhona Fox event!
Currently she is working on THE MOST ANTICIPATED REGGAE VIDEO RIGHT NOW: Jah Cure's "Call On Me" featuring Phyllisia. Cyan wait for it nuh gyal.
Publicist,Director, Writer, proud Caribbean Daughter. Rhona Fox, you are Officially Lime Certified:
Q & A
1. Is Fox really your last name?
Yes. LOL
2. Where were you born?
I was born in a little city called Suddie in Guyana. It’s the part of Guyana that Venezuela considers theirs. I moved to Nassau, Bahamas as a kid and lived there until I was 16, then moved to New York for college.
3. How did you get into the industry?
I first wanted to be a news reporter in American mainstream media. During university, I started interning at ABC News in New York, and eventually got my first job as a news assistant, one year before graduating. After I did, I eventually became a news promotion producer, where I basically marketed the newscasts to attract people to tune in daily, via TV commercials and radio promotions. I then moved to FOX News, because it was always a dream to work there. I learned a lot from FOX, and as a producer there, did everything from writing to directing and editing promotions (film), daily for broadcast. However, one summer I went to Jamaica for a family wedding and had a chance meeting with a dancehall artist called Elephant Man in Ocho Rios. It was a basic and weird run-in outside a club, and his hair and outfit intrigued me. After returning to New York, I just happened to hear a radio commercial that he was going to be at this annual event called Irie Jamboree, and I convinced my cousin to go with me. We thought we were going to get shot. We didn’t, and I really got to sample everything current in the reggae/dancehall music scene. In Nassau, I was pretty much sheltered from dancehall music because it was considered risky by my parents. So I was never really familiar with the genre, beyond Shabba and Buju, pretty much the tracks that made it onto radio. Anyway, I started going to reggae shows around the city, and eventually met someone who, when she heard I was a TV producer, wanted to start a Caribbean TV show. We did it, I hosted and she produced, and our pilot was aired on Direct-TV around the world. We did a couple more episodes, then went to Sumfest in Montego Bay that summer, and met a lot of people, including someone who eventually hired me to run JAMROCK Magazine. It was the only national Caribbean publication in the States. I quit my job at FOX and have never looked back. After 11 months at JAMROCK, I left to start my own PR firm, to fully be able to help Caribbean musicians crossover, by targeting and marketing them to mainstream media - something I had extensive experience with, having worked in mainstream media for almost 7 years. I felt I could play a more instrumental role in my current capacity as a publicist for artists, than merely writing about them – which of course floats the boat, but now I get to work with media around the globe and in every capacity, including what I’m doing right now with The Lime.
4. What are the pros and cons when it comes to the line between business and personal?
The positive side is that I get to do exactly what I want to in life, work with people I’m truly a fan of, and in an industry that I’m passionate about and one that represents me, as a cross-Caribbean native. The cons are numerous. People always assume you are something you are not, because of trends set by other females in the business or stereotypes from those that are attracted to the Caribbean music scene. So each day it’s fending off some stereotype. The funniest part is when people think all you do is hang out with the clients, or they see a picture and believe you’re friends with everyone – when it’s not the case. The same client – employee roles translate to this business, at least in our company.
5. What was the first video you directed and describe the experience?
The first video I directed was “So Lonely” by Jahni Cole. He’s Judy Mowatt’s son, and I was really excited to get my feet in the door. Jahni was under house arrest at the time in New Jersey, so we faced some challenges in terms of location and setting, which limited our storyline and thus shooting, because he was literally bound to the boundaries of the house he was in. It was still a good experience. The first major video I did was about a year later. It was a soca video for “Don’t Call My Phone” by Jadine. I shot that on my 26th birthday and it was a really great experience because it was big budget and had a major cast. We shot on location at the famed BLVD nightclub in Manhattan and Hollywood actor Lamman Rucker played the lead role, so it was definitely a step up from the first video.
6. What advice do you have for women trying to do what you do?
Probably two things: keep your personal life outside of the business and stay true to yourself, in everyway. Each day we get calls from people wanting us to do this or that, or change the way we are doing something, and you really have to first know and understand your vision, and focus on working towards your goals each day, plus also be able to defend them and protect them in the face of adversity.
7. If you could only have three things in your purse at anytime what would they be?
Blackberry, because I have to get contacts and emails for our database. Mints because I talk to a lot of people and in PR, you want to turn people on, not off. Business cards – I’ve been accused of giving even my parents cards. But the only way I’ve gotten anything is by going after it. Sometimes I have 10 seconds with a potential client, so I always have my business card nearby.
8. What's an ideal date for Rhona?
An ideal date will be a date with my ideal date. LOL I’m pretty down to earth so if I have the guy, I’m all set, it doesn’t matter what we do. The hard part is finding the guy.
9. If you could spy on anyone who would it be and why?
I’m obsessed with creative people so probably my favorite artist. I would love to see how he creates his flow, from start to end. I’ve seen lots of people do it but never him.
10. What is your worst habit?
I think too much. I’m very analytical and I’m always trying to figure things out, or trying to make plans to make things work, when perhaps the wise thing would be to just let sleeping dogs lie. Sometimes my plots get me into trouble and my team yells at me. It makes life fun for those around me.
Rhona and client Shaggy at his homeGO WITH YOUR GUT
11. Flo Rider or H20 Flo?
Flo Rida, because he’s on a remix with my current client Kevin Lyttle, and I hope it blows up. The song is sick – it’s called “Anywhere.” Check it out at KevinLyttle.com. (she don't stop working, eh dats a real publicist boy.lol)
12. Beach or river?
Beach. I’m a scorpio and a water sign. So just seeing the water at the beach makes me happy. I’m always trying to entice people to go to the beach with me to just walk and stare at the water. It replenishes my soul. Rivers scare me. I’ve seen bad things happen in them growing up in Guyana.
13. Stilettos or wedges ?
Stilettos. I find it's an easy way to be sexy, without having to act or dress in such manner.
14. Keston Carter or Tyson Beckford?
Okay, I admit I had to Google him. LOL I’m into people who are into me. Simple. So no, not Keston Carter. Once you get into my head, that’s it. Not too many people ever made it in and I’d like to keep it that way. I’m a once in a lifetime kind of person.
15. Knowledge or Wisdom?
Both. I believe I’m wise because of my knowledge – from learning AND from experiences
FINISH IT......
16. I am inspired by the following people for the following characteristics: Ghandi (compassion), Bill Clinton (wisdom), Troy Aikman (strength), Wayne Wonder (creativity), Oprah (vision) and Tyra Banks (passion).
17. I am addicted to my BlackBerry Bold.
18. Condoms are a great invention.
19. Men are trouble.
20. Rhona Fox is focused, man.
www.rhonafox.com
www.myspace.com/foxyrhona
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