'Empress', whose real name is Emprezz Eartha Camielle Mullings, is a rising star within the media and entertainment industry.

A multi-talented and driven individual, Empress is currently a TV host, a reggae singer, radio presenter and an MC for many local stage shows, such as Fully Loaded, held earlier this month at Fort Clarence Beach.

Known on radio and television for her magnetic and pleasant personality, Empress hosts 'The Corner' alongside Stephen Golding on Newstalk 93 FM. She also hosts the Magnum Kings and Queens of Dancehall aired on TVJ, and several shows on BET Jazz. Prior to joining Newstalk 93 FM, she was presenter of Di Show, an entertainment news programme on RE TV.

A talented young reggae singer, Empress has performed at various shows locally and has also graced stages in Japan and other countries. About seven years ago, while living in Australia, she released an album with a group, Passenger 7, on the Pony Canyon Label in Japan. She is now working with another group called Lady Traffic, whose songs are being produced by Sly & Robbie on Universal Records in Japan.

solo artiste

As a solo artiste, Empress has released videos and songs entitled, Father 'n' Child and Kiss Me produced by 'Sherkahn'. Another one of her songs, Smile, featuring Perfect, is set to be released on his upcoming album. She also has a motivational track titled 12 Things - If It Rains, which is soon to be released.

Her best friend is Nadia Stanley, who is also her business partner. They both own a 'password only' clothing boutique called 'Stanley&Empress'.

Nadia was born in England to Jamaican parents and raised in the USA. She migrated to Jamaica in 2004 to pursue her entertainment career, and has worked as a production manager at RE TV and producer of the Caribbean programme Wickd on BET Jazz. She is currently a programme producer with BET Jazz and is also working on a number of projects in the entertainment industry.

Through the eyes of Nadia, we learn of Empress' passion for children and her plans to open an orphanage. Her most recent project for children was a campaign during Child Month to raise funds to build additional classrooms and to renovate the St Tekle Haimanot Basic School in Greenvale View, Bull Bay.

Nadia also reveals in this week's feature that Empress speaks Japanese and has lived in Australia, Japan, and Los Angeles, and that she has been to more places in the world than she hasn't been!

How did you meet Empress and how long have you been friends?

We met in 2005. I was working at RE TV as a producer and I had heard that she was a presenter at the station. One day she came into our office like a whirlwind, just chatting with everyone and being very friendly. We started talking and it was as if we had known each other for years. Since then, we have been inseparable. Our friendship eventually led to us becoming business partners one year ago. We both share a unique fashion sense even though our styles are different, and so we decided to put our efforts into a 'password only' boutique that specialises in designer wear for persons in the entertainment industry.

Tell us what you admire most about her and why you think you have remained friends all these years.

I admire, most of all, her positive energy. She is fun and full of energy. If I spend 360 days of the year with her, she is optimistic for the 360 days and her optimism spreads to everyone around her. I just can't be depressed when I am with her.

We are different in terms of our personality, yet, we balance each other in that her strengths are my weaknesses, and vice versa, and that is why our friendship and partnership has remained strong. We are real and honest with each other and we challenge each other to be better persons. Our friendship is one of the deepest you could have with someone, and it is primarily because of the understanding and respect that we have for each other.

Tell us something interesting about her.

Empress' number one goal is to open an orphanage. She is extremely compassionate about children.

Another interesting thing is that she speaks Japanese and has lived in Australia, Japan and Los Angeles, and has been to more places in the world than she hasn't been! She's also very passionate about singing and was signed to Sony Records as part of an all-girl group while living in Australia.

What are some of the things you talk about when you are together?

We talk about everything ... politics, current affairs, relationships, personal issues, fashion and how we can make money, as our main goal is to get rich so that we can do all the things that we desire. We also share a deep love for humanity and so we tend to reason a lot about life. We never run out of things to talk about.

Share with us one of the happiest/memorable moments you have experienced with her.

When we put our minds to something, we are unstoppable, and so three months after we came up with our business idea we found a location and sourced clothes for the boutique.

Prior to the official opening and media launch, we were working 24 hours a day, and we experienced another form of bonding as we challenged and pushed each other to make the deadline for the opening. When the day finally came, it was surreal.

We just couldn't believe that we were able to do it. Looking back, we are still amazed but it has made us realise that, together, we can do anything, no matter how challenging.

Tell us the first thing that comes to your mind when you think of Empress, and why.

The fact that she is caring and giving, sometimes to a fault. She is very open and lets people into her life easily.

What are her favourite food, favourite music and favourite sport?

Her favourite food would definitely be ackee and saltfish.

She obviously loves dancehall and reggae music, but she is very soulful, in that she likes Eartha Kitt, India. Arie and Aretha Franklin. I would say that her music taste is expansive.

She is not really into sports but she enjoys watching track and field and football.

Tell us the colour that you associate with her:

Yellow: signifying someone you'll never forget

Orange: signifying someone you consider your true friend

Red: signifying someone you really love

Green: signifying someone who has had a significant impact on your life

Yellow ... Empress is such a character I don't think anyone could forget her.

I believe that true friendship is when you go through the good and the bad together and you are completely real with each other. A true friend challenges you to be a better person, and Empress and I have found that in our friendship. In fact, I can say that we are better for having known each other.