TV

'Prince of Haiti' Explains Exit from Paraguay's 'Baila Conmigo'

ASCUNCION, Paraguay (defend.ht) - The last time we heard from Emmanuel 'Prince of Haiti' Phanor he had made front page headlines in South America for walking out on the television dance competition "Baila Conmigo". The 'Prince of Haiti' has reached out to provide his side of the story and share what he has been up to since.

As reported in an August 2011 DH article, Paraguayans were besides themselves when Phanor made an abrupt exit from the television show, similar to Dancing with the Stars in the U.S.

Members of the Paraguayan press had contacted news agencies in Haiti. The Paraguayans told the Haitians that Phanor withdrew from competition saying that "the judges are not at his level and that Paraguayans cannot gauge the Prince that he is..."

Phanor has told DH that the accounts given by Paraguayan entertainment columnist are inaccurate. He has told DH that racial slurs were said to him during the filming of the show and among other things forced him to resign.

Milva Gauto vs Emmanuel
Discriminacion y Maltratos

"In 2011, I moved back to Argentina to refocus on my projects, it was during a visit in Paraguay that I came across the producers of 'Baila Conmigo Paraguay' their version of 'Dancing with the stars.' I was inside a business waiting in line when I was approached."

"My initial reaction was to deny their invitations to dance on television since I was unfamiliar with the show`s format. The main producer of the show Alejandro Streussel, who produced "Baila por un sueño" in Argentina, flew to my house that week to convince me to participate."

"At first, I offered them my cousins to dance on television, as long as the producers helps me publish the reality show "RealAyiti" I have recently filmed in Haiti and to help launch kayfefe."

"After 6 weeks of convictions, I accepted their offers but before I signed any documents, we made a few phone calls to Haiti and the US."

"The first one, was to call my uncle and my sister in order to ask their permission. Then, we contacted the judge of Camp Coq, Haiti so he can send legal papers of who I am."

"My contracts had 3 clause:
1. No racist remarks or jokes
2. No Pornography with my image
3. No disrespect for my culture."

"All was well and since kayfefe was not up and running, I chose to dance for the local Children Cancer Hospital of Capiata, Paraguay where I purchased a house."

"I was suppose to be provided with guards, my own car, masseuse, etc. Most of which disappeared the minute I signed the contract. I was stuck paying a 100 cab fare everyday to do the show since I lived an hour away from the studio."

"With the new fame, came attacks from the press and all the other participants including my dancer who starts missing practices and appointments at the childrens hospital."

"On August 14, 2011, I did a blood drive with Miss Italia/Paraguay Fiorella Migloire and we collected 150 new donations, first time in Paraguay."

"The press not only ignored it, they publish a story of me promising 5000 dollars to a group of football players that I visited during my lunch break on that very same day of the blood drive."

"I became frustrated of the lies, the tricks, so I decided to leave the show and concentrate on designing Kayfefe."

"After only 1 dance, I went on live television, ask forgiveness if I have said or done anything wrong, kisses everyone and left the program. 5 minutes later, I was called a "Shit Nigga" by Milva Gauto, one of the judges live on television."

"I was ask to forgive her and I did, in order for me to help with my projects here with the kids. I started sponsoring children in the street that makes 2 dollars a day, buying health insurance for the kids in the cancer hospital and other projects. The producers got very upset that I did not want to return on the show so they attacked my more, even to the point of publishing a story in your newspaper trying to dirty my image."

"At first, the people thought it was all a show, but once they realized that I was really being attacked while I was in the street trying to help them, they start apologizing to me in the streets and on facebook."

"I was asked for forgiveness live on televison 3 times before I decided to dance one more time for the fans back in November. I was invited to join the show as judge this year but I respectfully decline the offer."

After the show,

"I moved to smaller town, Villarrica, Paraguay. I was here with my ex girlfriend back in 2008 and 2009. The people really appreciates my presence here and in the next few months, I will be opening a new restaurant in town so I can share the Haitian culture and others with my fans."

"We are also producing a reality show about cooking, which we will be shooting at the new restaurant. Parts of our income are for local projects and for Kayfefe in Haiti."

"I will be in Haiti in October to celebrate my birthday for the first time with my people and to continue filming "RealAyiti". With my plan to start living in Haiti by 2014. I am very happy to now be in a position to follow my dreams of helping my people and my projects. At the end, it was all worth it."

Book reviews

Haiti Noir

Book Review

The anthology edited by Edwidge Danticat puts a uniquely Haitian spin on the crime genre

"Danticat has succeeded in assembling a group portrait of Haitian culture and resilience that is cause for celebration." - Publishers Weekly