Queen Latesha dances back into the spotlight

After spending the last five years largely out of the spotlight, the 2004 Dancehall Queen has re-emerged with renewed confidence, insisting this phase of her journey is not a comeback, but a refocus.

Now based in Canada, Latesha says the time away was shaped by life-altering moments: the death of her mother, embracing motherhood, and starting over in a new country.

"It's not like it's a return, per say, but I'm just bringing back myself to the forefront, and expanding with better ideas in this international space," she told THE STAR.

And while the dancehall space has evolved--dominated by viral trends, TikTok choreography and even artificial intelligence, the 40-year-old says she is unfazed.

"Choreography has always been my thing," she said. "To this day, people are still using my moves in the same TikTok and online dance choreographies. The whole AI don't scare me," said the dancer.

Unbothered by criticism or backlash, she insists that her singular focus is on staying authentic and being the Queen Latesha people know.

The dancer admits part of her break was intentional, as the direction of dancehall music no longer inspired her.

"With the way the new music sound, there wasn't much to dance to, because some a di things dem never clean to the ears," she said.

"I wasn't the kinda person to skin out and roll pon di ground. Mi might wear mi likkle sexy outfits, yes, but all when mi b@tty jaw dem outta door, a me and God still a par," she smiled.

Known for dancing in stilettos and commanding the stage with subtle sex appeal, she maintains that empowerment has always been central to her brand.

"A sexiness mi promote right through," she said. "Mi a di more sexy, subtle type, even though I might dress a certain type of way in peoples' eyes. But I'm always about women empowerment," she said.

She also took aim at the current wave of dancehall-trap music, arguing that much of it lacks substance and appeal.

"With these new dancehall-trap artistes, everybody throat back rub out, everybody deh pon dem knees and every gyal a dem whore ...," she assessed.

"Dat wouldn't give me no vibes fi whine, suh mi glad when mi guh pon di break, because mi woulda just lock off."

Since relocating to Canada, Latesha said she has been unable to fully tap into her talents as she once did, largely due to limited opportunities in the entertainment space.

With some of her most memorable international moments coming from creative work linked to global stars such as Beyonce, Tyra Banks and Busta Rhymes, she said her next moves on the world stage will be deliberate and purpose-driven.

"While I'll still be performing, I want to focus more on online dance classes, teaching dancehall through tours, and opening a dance studio," she said. " I also want to get more involved in acting because you're never too old to continue yuh passion."