She leads a formative life and with all the controversy that surrounds her, she have managed to remain positive and optimistic. Michelle Downer more popularly known as D’Angel took to the airwaves by storm with her hit single ‘Downtown Girl Living an Uptown Life’ in 2004 and continues to ‘Blaze’ the charts locally and internationally.

 

D’Angel has style, grace and poise but most importantly, she is spiritual, humble, kind and the very obvious beautiful. Dressed casually in white pants, green tank top and plaid shirt, the beauty perks up for an interview with oneloveja.com

 

Onelove: In your own words, who is Michelle Downer?

 

Michelle: I am a realist, I was born and raised in Spanish Town, I grow up with both parents. 5 sisters and 2 brothers, I grew up with a lot of love, self discipline and good morals. I grew up in church and I was taught to put God first in every thing I do. I love to laugh and love to make people laugh. I am a very family orientated person and really love life whether it’s good or bad.

 

Onelove: Share with us some of your childhood experience.

 

Michelle:I did everything that a child should and would do. I played dandy shandy and all the games there was. However I wasn’t the tom boy, one of my sisters was. I loved going to the river and my sisters would climb the mango tree, pick mangoes and I would be the catcher. Mango always stain my mouth corner and mother always warn us not to go to the river but we didn’t listen and she always knew when we go there. She would take my hands and use her finger to draw lines on my skin. I was the one that always got caught. Me and my sister Nadine who now resides in England was the entertainers in the family. My mother entered us into competitions to sing and model and I always won. As a child I always participate in community, school and church events. So growing up I had lots and lots of fun and I am very thankful for all my childhood experiences because they help to shape me into the person I am today.

 

Onelove: You started out as a model; at what point did you made the decisions to venture into the music industry?

 

Michelle: Music has been apart of me from a tender age and I have a God given talent and would not allow it to just go to waste. Professionally I started out in 2003. I started out with a group called LOY but that was short lived because I was doing modeling and at that time it was my world, further more everyone in the group wanted different things.

 

The transformation from model to singing was not an easy one for Michelle “D’Angel” Downer. Thankfully her raw talent, determination, perseverance and her love for Christ, helped propelled her through trying times.

 

Since the well publicized split from the self proclaimed ‘King of the Dancehall’, a love hate relationship had developed between fans of D’Angel and fans of the ‘King’. Earlier in the split, her performances where cut short by occasional boos. However, that did not dampen her spirits as she viewed it as one of life's many challenges. She gives all the credit to God for being her biggest influence in her career along with her son Marco Dean and her loyal fans.

 

 

Onelove: Describe your first solo performance? Where? When? And explain what sort of emotions you were experiencing when they called your name to take the stage for the first time?

 

She lifted her head and it was apparent she was trying to remember then she said:

 

Michelle: Hmm, I’m just thinking back because I was always performing on stage, so I’m just trying to reflect on when I stated in this male dominated industry. Yeah, in trench Town, Barry G had a live outside broadcast. The people were warming up to a couple of my songs because I came out with a song from the group. At that time I was just singing, no DJ’ing because I am still learning how to do that so I’m a singer, I’m like a singJ. So I did the song and the people received me well. I felt very good. Of course before you hit the stage, you are a bit nervous but I got over it as soon as I walked on.

 

She stated that her former school mates at Saint Catherine High are not surprised about her choice of career.

 

Michelle: Yes, you know I was really nervous. I mean when you performing for a group of people where most of them don’t know you or know little of you, it can be nerve wrecking. When I finish perform, Barry G said, “give it up for Angel, I can hear a little Toni Braxton in her voice,” she said laughing. You know Barry G the Boogie Man him stylish already, so that was very good, a good experience for me.

 

Onelove: You have worked with a few artistes. Which collaboration are you most proud of and why?

 

Michelle: My first collaboration was with Beenie Man. NO! Sorry, it was with Tanya Stephens when I came out with ‘Downtown Girl Living an Uptown Life’. She called me and she said, “Angel, I love that song, what you think about a remix?”. I said yes, remix with Tanya Stephens of course, why not. I was so excited about that. But the song ‘One man’ with Beenie Man still stands out up to today. Girls sing along so that was my first big break where collaboration is concern then ‘Baby Daddy’ with Vybz Kartel. Now my latest is with Wayne Wonder, ‘Let us be friends’, it’s a remix.

 

She sang a line from the song;

 

Michelle: yu memba da one deh? She asked smiling. Yes, so that is my latest collaboration and I know that it will do well. In this song I will be the Dj.

 

Onelove: What is it that motivations you to keep making music?

 

Michelle: Me, I am my motivation. I believe in myself and my abilities. I know I was born to do this (music).

 

Onelove: With appearances on Jamaica's most popular soap opera, it seems like you are going in the direction of acting. Is there any type of role you would love to play?

 

Michelle: I would play the roles that really define me. I would want to play a character I can relate to. I am not sure about the gangster side but I wouldn’t mind. I can transform myself into what ever character they would want me to play as long as they don’t kill me

 

We burst out laughing;

 

Michelle: As long as dem nuh kill mi (still laughing). Remember the show with Jennifer Lopez called “Enough”? yeah I would play a role like that or even Ike and Tina Turner.

 

I had to ask Who would play Ike.

 

Michelle: I don’t know, it can be any professional actor.

 

Onelove: Anybody? So you don’t have anyone in mind?

 

Michelle: (smiling) No, anyone who can act. I know where you going with this so nuh bother wid it yu hear mi a tell yu (laughing)

 

Onelove: You are a fashion icon in the music industry and have received the title of Best Dressed Female Artiste a few times; tell me about your chosen style?

 

Michelle: Day time I’m a jeans and t-shirts person, but when it’s show time I go all out. I don’t specialize in a particular brand. From it look good on me I’ll wear it. I wear just about anything, from the cheapest to the not so cheap. If it a huge show like Sumfest, I will bring the Sumfest look and if it an function like an award ceremony, I will bring the award ceremony look. If it’s a high school tour I will dress trendy so I can relate to the teens.

 

Onelove: Will the public see you in an outfit more than once?

 

Michelle: No, No, Nope just plain no.

 

Onelove: So what you do with the outfits you perform in?

 

Michelle: (laughing) I just keep them in my archive. People always ask me about them. Maybe one day I might do auction. I also have major plan to come out with my own clothing line so maybe they will play apart in that. For my clothing line, I will focus on items that defines D’Angel.

 

The interview lasted over an hour and as I was about to wrap up;

 

Michelle: So wait, how comes you don’t ask about Marco Dean?

 

I was actually staying away from the personal questions. I knew how protected she was of her son and her personal life so my interview was tailored differently.

 

Michelle was more than willing to talk about Marco Dean. I asked her what was it like when she held him for the first time.

 

Michelle: Oh my God, I was like; it’s you that was in my belly kicking.

 

She was beaming with pride. “He has his fathers’ eyes and my lips”, she said proudly. “Thank God I didn't get any Stretch mark. With my career and everything, i don't think I have room for that", she said jokingly. "If it had happen I would still be ok. Really, it would not be a big deal to me come to think about it. Just look at my very handsome son”.

 

Michelle “D’Angel” Downer has promise to continue to bring her best to her fans. We truly appreciate her hard word and wish her continuous success.