Anna Calixte - 242Untapped Winner
By Arthia Nixon, The Ambassador Agency
For Elevation Records and 242Untapped
Photos by Torrell Glinton Photography
(Nassau, The Bahamas)…The newest gospel recording star in The Bahamas is Anna Calixte. The teen walked off with a $5,000 recording contract from Elevation Records and has already undergone a celebrity makeover for the release of her first single. The ‘new’ Anna was styled by Raquel Pinder of Styles by Kelly P and Kedar Clarke of Kedar In Style. Ooh La Lepeche’s Sarsha Taylor served as makeup artist while Clifton Barry and Vado Culmer captured her images as photographers.
Despite the ‘celebrity treatment’ Anna is also balancing her playtime with production time, having been in rehearsals for her first co-headlining concert, the 242Untapped LIVE Reunion Special set for April 4 at Spirit of Life in New Providence.
Anna Calixte shows why she deserves the 242Untapped title
Calixte (pronounced Kah-leet) sang her way to success before judges Christopher Huyler, Stacy Campbell-Marshall and Jonathan Farrington, edging out fellow finalists Althea Pinder and Dominyc Rolle.
Held at the Melia resort, the finale was shown live nationally and broke Bahamian television records.
Cohosts VMac and Davrielle with new winner Anna
Red carpet host Anastarcia interviews season one winner Shaniqua Thurston
Attendees and celebrities also had the chance to walk the red carpet and mingle with contestants and hosts Davriell Burrows and Vince ‘V-Mac’ McDonald as they stopped to chat with sideline hostess Anastarcia Huyler.
Second runner up Dominyck gives it one last go
Althea, Dominyck and Anna listen to see who made the final two
Althea's peformance earned her the runner up spot
Sammi Starr gives a performance
Judge Jonny delivers his hit song
Dynamite Daisy actress Lynn Terez Davis-Nixon showcases her gospel roots
Manifest takes the stage
Najie Dunn and Halle
The 242Untapped backup singers
While the final three singers gave it their all, there were many surprises in store with stellar performances from established artists such as Manifest, Sammi Starr, Dynamite Daisy’s Lynn Terez Davis-Nixon, Najie Dunn and Halle, and even judge Jonny.
242Untapped contestants with show creator and host, VMac (center)
“We had a successful second season and the team behind it all was amazing,” said V-Mac who also is the founder of both Elevation Records and 242Untapped. “Our new cohost Davrielle was excellent, our judges - especially our new judge Stacy – were phenomenal and the team behind the scenes was the best I could have hoped for. I am looking forward to offering Anna the opportunity to take her career to the next level and I am just excited to know that we are providing an outlet for young gospel artists to pursue their ministry beyond Sunday service. Their gift is making room for them and I am blessed to be in a position to provide my own experience and skills to help them pursue this craft as a career.”
Anna Calixte supporters flock her with congratulations
Anna Calixte is thrilled to be launching out into the deep now that she has officially signed her contract.
“I thank God for such an experience and new chapter in my life!” she gushed. “I never thought for a second I would have won. I was shaking during the entire time. It was and still is an overwhelming feeling with mixed emotions. I am going to keep letting God have his way in my life so that my gift will always be a blessing to others.”.
242 Untapped finale judges - Christoper Huyler, Stacy Campbell-Marshall and Jonny Farrington
“I enjoyed judging, though I preferred my role as a mentor because I was just helping out,” radio personality and judge Stacy Campbell Marshall stated. “As a judge, I had to be decisive when I really wanted a few top choices to win! I think Anna is extremely talented and sincere and will go a long way! Althea, who was the runner up this year, her journey does not end here. She too has a gift and a future in music! I was honored to be a part of it this year.”
For more information and past episodes, visit www.242untapped.com or their Facebook page.
242Untapped production team takes a quick shot
Contestants get into the gospel groove
Curly McDonald and guests