Terri Lyons wins second Calypso Monarch title at Dimanche Gras

Terri Lyons secured her second Calypso Monarch crown early Monday at the end of the Dimanche Gras show held at the Queen’s Park Savannah in Trinidad and Tobago.

Lyons, who first won the title in 2020, emerged as the clear favourite on the night with her spiritually themed song “Blessings”, which earned a lengthy standing ovation from both the Grand and North Stands. The North Stand reopened for the competition for the first time since 2012.

She walked away with a $1 million cash prize and a Suzuki Vitara, courtesy of Lifestyle Motors.

While Lyons’ victory was warmly received by the larger-than-average audience, the announcement of other results in the Calypso Monarch competition drew audible jeers from sections of the crowd, with some patrons expressing dissatisfaction over the placings.

“They cheat,” one patron shouted, while another called out, “They (the judges) doing it again.”
The boos quickly turned to cheers, however, when Lyons was confirmed as the eventual winner.

Finishing second was this year’s National Action Cultural Committee Young King, Rivaldo London, who performed “Water Thicker”.

Nine-time Chutney Soca Monarch Rikki Jai (Samraj Jaimungal) placed third with “Doh Spoil Meh Name”.

Crowd favourite Karene Asche finished fifth with her fiery political commentary “Nobody Wins Until”, while defending champion Helon Francis placed sixth with “Doh Forget”.

Although there were no issues with Francis’ performance inside the venue, there was a reported audio drop during the live broadcast. The technical glitch sparked conspiracy theories on social media, with some users suggesting he had been sabotaged due to his political commentary.

Other finalists included Yung Bredda, who placed fourth with “The Messenger”; Nicole Thomas-Clarke, seventh with “Sacrifice”; Ta’Zyah O’Connor, eighth with “Cast Them Away”; Giselle Fraser, ninth with “No Village Can’t”; Muhammad Muwakil, 10th with “Calypso”; Kerice Pascall, 11th with “No Conscience”; and Roslyn Hayes, 12th with “Calypso Calling Me”.

Final results:

1. Terri Lyons — Blessings (263)

2. Rivaldo London — Water Thicker (245)

3. Rikki Jai — Doh Spoil Meh Name (241)

4. Yung Bredda — The Messenger (240)

5. Karene Asche — Nobody Wins Until (239)

6. Helon Francis — Doh Forget (237)

7. Nicole Thomas-Clarke — Sacrifice (236)

8. Ta’Zyah O’Connor — Cast Them Away (235)

9. Giselle “GG” Fraser — No Village Can’t (230)

10. Muhammad Muwakil — Calypso (228)

11. Kerice Pascall — No Conscience (225)

12. Roslyn Hayes — Calypso Calling Me (212)