NOTED TO be pertinacious in the pursuit of her goals, Citi FM?s Jessica has distinguished herself as a unique icon in the broadcast industry, writes Isaac Franklin.
With five years in the broadcast industry, Jessica has rapidly zoomed into the stratosphere, and is undisputedly ruling the airwaves, with her charming, vivacious and tender voice.
Without doubts, Jessica has rapidly stolen the hearts of innumerable TV viewers, and radio listeners, with her flawless speech of English, enticing laughter, as well as her exceptional presentation aptitude. Considered as the nation?s most outstanding showbiz personality at the moment, Jessica hosts programmes as Brunch In The City, Sex In The City, on Citi FM, not forgetting TV3?s Miss Malaika Show, which bubbles up, six months in a every year.
With marketing gumption, Jessica presents her shows with energetic and enthusiastic enjoyment.
?A number of people don?t believe that I?m shy, but I?m really shy. In actual fact, I do a lot of things I do, because of money. That, notwithstanding, if I had my own way, I wouldn?t be in the broadcast industry, because I?m very shy,? Jessica told Beatwaves, in an exclusive interview.
Time and again, most personalities claim they were born with the broadcast talent, but Jessica asserts, ?I wouldn?t say I was born with the talent. I think talent is developed in one way, or the other. You may have it, but if you don?t nurture it, it wouldn?t be relevant.?
?My mum likes talking, and so, I guess I may have inherited my talking finesse from my sweet mum,? she added.
Jessica, an Akuapem gem, was poached miraculously, into the industry, by her elder sister, Kayligh, who was then, hosting Vibe FM?s Morning Show, alongside Kojo Mensah.
The following are excerpts of the interview with Jessica. Beatwaves: Did you have any experience before entering into full-time business? Jessica: When I started with Vibe FM, I didn?t possess any experience. On my first day, I messed up, but had a second chance, in which, I did fabulously well.?
To me, Vibe FM was a platform, since it gave me the boost into something I never knew I could do. Trust me, I never dreamt I would ever be in the industry, but here I am.
Beatwaves: Why did you cross carpet from Vibe to Choice FM? Jessica: I left Vibe for Choice, because Choice offered me a large exposure. Thereafter, I resolved to join Citi FM, which gave a superior spotlight. Beatwaves: Distinguish between Vibe, Choice and Citi.
Jessica: At Vibe, I was more relaxed, allowed to do my own thing. There wasn?t any strict rule to adhere to, unlike Choice, and particularly Citi, where it?s more focused to learning more about the industry, timeless. Beatwaves: How were you whisked to the showbiz?
Jessica: I was called into a ?Miss Malaika? audition, after a friend had recommended me to Charter House.
And I guess, I sailed through.
Beatwaves: How are you able to combine radio job, alongside TV?s? Jessica: Well, it?s not very difficult, because the Miss Malaika series runs every six months, in a year.
So, it?s pretty easy. Besides radio, if you are in TV, for six months in a year, it?s cool.
Beatwaves: How do you relax, before a big show?
Jessica: I haven?t thought about that. I mostly don?t relax, because I?m usually in a rush for programmes.
But, if I had the chance, perhaps, I would be lying down on my bed quietly, thinking about nothing.
Beatwaves: How do you rate yourself in the broadcast business?
Jessica: Not very high. I genuinely don?t see the gem people observe in me. Beatwaves: Do you excel in any other job, aside radio and TV?
Jessica: I haven?t discovered yet.
However, one thing I know is that, I was brilliant in Mathematics, an aptitude which made my mates think I would study a sort of banking course, to an advanced level, but here I am.
Beatwaves: Describe what personality you are, in three words.
Jessica: I prefer reducing it to two, i.e., Melancholic and Sanguine.
Beatwaves: Which of these motivates you more? Awards, or Money?
Jessica: Both! On the other hand, if I could choose between the two, I would settle on awards. You can always keep your awards on probably your shelves, for so many years, but money can be spent within a short period. And so, for the sake of everlasting loving memories, I prefer awards to money.
Beatwaves: Does speculation bother you?
Jessica: Before, it did. But not anymore, after realising that, no matter what you do, people would talk about you. And I always say, ?You can?t stop birds from flying over your head, but you can prevent them from making a nest on your head.?
Beatwaves: Do you face any difficulties working in the industy?
Jessica: Oh, yeah. Difficulties I would say come with the competition with other stations. Let?s say, if you noticed another personality doing better than you are, it would definitely become like a burden for you to sharpen your rough edges. To me, in one way or the other, that?s the difficulty in the business. Beatwaves: If you could change something in your profession, what would it be? Jessica: Nothing!
Beatwaves: What is your biggest achievement, so far?
Jessica: I don?t think I?ve got it yet. I?m still looking forward to that. Even though a number of people maintain I?ve probably made it, I don?t feel that way, at all.
Beatwaves: Are you expecting any award in the next future?
Jessica: No! I?m not expecting any award. To me, the recognition I get from my teeming fans, people out there, who appreciate what I do, is an enviable award for me. When you even, open phone lines on your programme, callers? response alone means, they really listen to you.
As a showbiz personality, the teeming admirers?
positive reception, is a great award for me.
Beatwaves: Aside your charming voice, what makes you different?
Jessica: My uniqueness makes me different. I?ve got my own style.
Beatwaves: How long would you be in the broadcast business?
Jessica: For as long as it would take. For as long as I beam with happiness in the profession, because I wouldn?t do a job I?m not delighted at. To me, being on air, is like being paid to have fun.
Beatwaves: Who do you look up to as a role model?
Jessica: I?ve got two-my mum, as well as my elder sister, Kayligh. In actual fact, during my spell at Vibe, many people had difficulties differentiating between me and Kayligh.
Besides, my mum is my best friend. She offers me salient advice, and I don?t want to be anything else, rather than the kind of splendid stuff my mum is made of.
Beatwaves: What message do you have for your numerous followers?
Jessica: Well, it?s simple. As I said earlier, whatever you do, people would talk about it. So, just make sure you give of your best in whatever project you engage in, while making sure it makes you excited.
At the end of the day, when all friends have departed, you would be left on your own, therefore, don?t count on friends too much, because they are humans, bound to let you down. Just learn to rise, whenever you fall, since that?s the only way you could make it in life.
Beatwaves: Do you have any regrets about your career?
Jessica: So far, no!
Beatwaves: Where do you see yourself in 2010?
Jessica: I would still be in the broadcast production, and would have definitely attained my masters? degree.
That?s for sure. I?d still stay in the business, either around the clock, or part-time.
Beatwaves: What would be your best piece of advice for green showbiz personalities?
Jessica: Be yourself, because when you are good at being yourself, nobody can dictate to you. And when you are focused, your talents burst out, naturally. Don?t forget that, it?s very easy to do things, which emerge naturally.
