Top Celebrities You Didn”t Know Were From the Caribbean
Apr 14, 2016
Rihanna
You might recognize Rihanna (Robyn Rihanna Fenty) by some of her studio hits like “Umbrella,” “Pon de Replay” and “The Monster.” What you might not realize is that the singer-songwriter hails from Barbados. Born in Saint Michael, she was raised in Bridgetown and broke into the music industry with her demo tapes and a career-changing audition for hip-hop producer and rapper Jay Z.
Lena Headey
Best recognized for her role as Cersei Lannister in the hit HBO series, “Game of Thrones,” it is a little-known fact that Lena Headey is Bermudian. She was born in Hamilton, Bermuda, where she lived until her family moved to England when she was five. After being scouted at the age of 17, Headey maintained a steady flow of positions in supporting roles before finding fame in big-budget productions like The Brothers Grimm and 300.
Nicki Minaj
Rapper, singer and songwriter, Nicki Minaj, was born in Saint James, Trinidad & Tobago, as Onika Tanya Maraj. She quickly gained traction after releasing three mix tapes and is well known for distinctive rapping style with its fast flow and use of alter egos and accents. Her name is easily recognized by chart-topping hits like “Super Bass” and “Starships.”
Tim Duncan
NBA star Tim Duncan is known for his extensive career with the San Antonio Spurs, as well as his various recognitions as the greatest power forward of all time. It is a lesser known fact this powerful player hails from the U.S. Virgin Islands. On top of his many awards, Duncan is an active health awareness advocate and youth philanthropist across the United States.
Wyclef Jean
Wyclef Jean is a Haitian-born musician and producer. He is the founder of the Fugees as well as a soloist who has been a consistently powerful force in the music industry. Jean”s musical influence encompasses genres from jazz to classic rock to reggae and his talent has reached artists such as Shakira and Santana.
Persia White
Persia White is the daughter of a white mother and Bahamian father, and spent much of her childhood in the Bahamas. White is a human and animal rights activist as well as a musician and actress. You might recognize her from television shows like “The Vampire Diaries,” “Girlfriends” or “Breaker High.”
Benicio Del Toro
This award-winning Puerto Rican actor spent his childhood in Puerto Rico before moving to the United States at the age of 12. Del Toro attended the University of California to pursue a degree in business, but success in a drama course prompted him to drop out and study acting. He has since appeared in various television shows before hitting major roles in movies like Traffic, Snatch, Sin City and Che.
Ricky Martin
Ricky Martin is a singer, actor, author, humanitarian and proud Puerto Rican. After achieving some fame in Puerto Rico for his television commercials, he became a member of the Puerto Rican boy band, Menudo. He later embarked on a career in Latino television and music, becoming one of the biggest Latin crossover artists with his hit song, “Living La Vida Loca.” He has been honored for his work with various charitable organizations including UNICEF and the People for Children project.
Desirée Blanco
Editorial Director
HCP/Aboard Publishing
