– How Saida Smith manages to be a cook, a model and an actor

She is usually up at 2 a.m. chopping seasoning, meats and vegetables to prepare dishes for customers the following morning.

During the evenings, she struts along the catwalk to fine–tune her modeling skills. And young Saida Smith embeds several hours of acting and singing into her routine, a feat she relishes as an all-rounder.
The 22-year old Smith is relatively new to entertainment scene, at least for three of areas within the arts. But the mother of one has been singing for years, a talent she has been working to develop over time. She has featured at karaoke events across the city and many persons have encouraged her to explore her vocal talent.
The Surinamese –born Smith during a recent interview recounted her “tomboy ways” growing up on the East Coast of Demerara. She said that she spent the earlier years of her life with her grandmother at Beterverwagting , moving from the “village to the front road and then again into the village.” During those years she said she could have been seen riding bicycles around the streets “non-hand,” swimming and climbing every fruit tree in her wake.
She said that she then moved to Suriname with her parents and the relocation brought out a feature which she says brings out the best of her talents. “I’m a very positive person, I try to keep my mind off of anything that is stressful by keeping myself occupied,” she said.

She said that she started singing during her primary school years and as time progressed she began to pay much attention to her vocals. After returning to Guyana during her teenage years, she started to exploit her creative talents. She said that she encountered producer Randy LeFleur of RJL Records and she was afforded opportunity to record alongside La Fleur and another artiste known as Tremayne. The first single titled “Go Low” is an up-tempo pop number. The song was released over a year ago and earlier this year, the single “Back to the music” was featured on several radio stations in the city as well as in Linden. “The problem is that people look forward to the foreign music and our very own is right here,” she said.
Smith got up and belted out her vocals as the interview continued and several persons, who were within earshot, tuned their heads in her direction. She looked at her watch and noted the time; it was almost 6 p.m. and she had rehearsals to attend with the ASX Model agency at the Water Chris hotel.
Smith said that she never envisioned herself as a model. In fact, she would shy away from the thought whenever persons raised the subject. But a local radio personality saw her at work one day and encouraged her to take up the challenge. “I met Ms Debra Allen at ASX and she schooled me …

how to walk , to overcome my fears and how to dress,” she said.
Smith featured during launch of the Guyana Fashion Week (GFW) during the Golden Jubilee celebrations at the Arthur Chung Convention Center in May this year and she keeps her rehearsal schedule in tight order. The event will climax in November and she says that she is working hard to follow her daily routines as she countdown the days to the event.
Smith said that she finds herself in the right places at the right time on many occasions. That was the case when the producer of a local television series, Brandon Jones, asked her to appear on the set of the series entitled “Spur” which is slated for release during the July/August holidays. She said that the crew and actors were filming several months ago when someone who was expected to play a supporting role to the lead actor was unavailable. “So they asked me to play the role of the friend so I took up the task and there I was, acting the role,” she said. The trailer for the series appears impressive for a local configuration and according to Smith, she can foresee the development of her acting skills after the series is launched.

So how does she find the time to cook?
Smith said that catering is her day-to-day routine, her main source of an income. She said that the business was started by her sister and she would play a supporting role in the preparation and delivery process. She said that her sister migrated sometime last year and the business was left in her care. “I didn’t continue right away but after a while I decided to take up the mantle,” she said.
She said that during the day and in the evenings, she would venture into the markets to shop for her ingredients for the next day’s special.
She cooks from Tuesdays to Fridays and according to her, the process can be hectic. “I would be up as late as 2 a.m. and sometimes 3 a.m. because I do everything alone,” she said. During the morning hours, she contacts her customers and make deliveries in and around the capital city. It is this sense of independence which she noted, brings out the best in her. “In two years I can see myself taking advantage of my creative talents and one of the things I wish to do is to further my education because it is one of those things which makes you somebody,” Smith added.