Divas laud THE STAR as one in a ‘million’ - Publication hits milestone on Instagram

"It's always a pleasure to come and show support for anything that THE STAR is doing," were the words from an ecstatic Ishawna following her cameo appearance at the newspaper's STAR 1 Million Live event, which was held last Friday at its North Street offices in downtown Kingston.

The publication recently reached one million followers on Instagram, becoming the first newspaper in the Caribbean to achieve this accomplishment.

"I mean THE STAR has been there from day one and, to be honest, I am not somebody that is all over the place. But when it comes to people that give me love, I show them love and STAR is one of the first media forums that really endorsed me even before I had like a song or big single," said the Equal Rights lyricist and self-proclaimed 'Cinderella of dancehall'.

"I am so happy that I was here tonight to celebrate such an important milestone in such a very prominent part of this whole dancehall and Jamaican culture. THE STAR is a trendsetter and that is very evident with the successes it has had over the decades. My favourite thing about THE STAR is that you guys are not too serious. Yeah, you bring the news and you bring entertainment at the same time and I like that," she said. "The world is so heavy so I love the variety, the Tell Me Pastor, the shenanigans and the little festivities. But you guys still bring the real thing at the end of the day and that is what I like about THE STAR. I feel honoured and blessed to have been here. Also, this is history. This is THE STAR, unuh deh bout from mi likkle bit a grow!"

Her sentiments were echoed by another one of dancehall's divas, D'Angel, who expressed an undying love for the Caribbean region's number-one tabloid which printed its first issue on November 24, 1951.

" THE STAR is like family to me because it has been years of support. I always give my 1000 per cent whenever you guys call on me and that has been from day one. The loyalty goes both ways and I also took my son because for me it was a family settings and you guys are my family without a doubt. THE STAR is the people's paper and it is always a happy experience to be a part of whatever you guys are doing. I was like 'Wow' when I entered and saw the red carpet. Nuff love and I will be there again to celebrate one billion followers," D'Angel said.