Behind the Mic ‒ Emmz |17 October 2022

Emmz in the studio

‘Things I thought I would never be able to do, I now see myself doing’

For around five years now, Emmz (Emma Laporte) has been entertaining radio listeners in Seychelles on the popular ‘Breakfast Show’ on Paradise FM.

Seychelles NATION met with Emmz who shares her personal experiences as a radio presenter and producer.

Seychelles NATION: Talk a bit about your start at Paradise FM.

Emmz: It is five years since I have been at Paradise FM. I started on August 21, 2018. Frankly, when I heard that the Seychelles Broadcasting Corporation (SBC) was looking for radio and TV presenters, I just sent in my CV to see what would happen. I was not expecting any positive reply. I had featured previously on a TV programme, but found that I am someone who do not like the camera. So, I decided to apply just to give it a try.

Surprisingly, I was called in for an interview. When I came for the interview, I was asked if I would like to work on the radio or TV.  I chose radio. I came in the interview having applied for the producer presenter position. Since they knew I had featured on TV before, they wanted me to take the TV position. I said no, as I have mentioned I am a bit shy. Then they asked me, which station I listen to and since I love listening to music I said Paradise FM. The interview went well and after two weeks I got a call confirming that I had been successful.

When I came in, Paradise FM had few workers. So, they needed me right away as they had many programmes to host. I was told that I had only one month to learn everything. Basically I learned on the job. Once I started and was in front of those buttons, I was like, what in the world am I going to say, and what is what? To tell you frankly, I was trembling with fear. But after Nathalie (Rose) had showed me the ropes and from then on, after the one month I had mastered almost everything. This experience, I think, allowed for the inner Emma to come out. I say this because a lot of people who knew me before and after knowing who this Emmz character was on Paradise FM is, they are like: that is not you. My radio presenter name is in fact Emmz, but the majority of people call me ‘Tant Emma’ (laughs).

Seychelles NATION: How has your experience on the radio been from a shy Emma to who you have become today?

Emmz: I will say that it has helped to develop my personality tremendously. Things that I thought I would never be able to do, I now see myself doing. However, I am still learning about the radio; be it at a technical level or even at a personality level. Like I have mentioned before, a lot of people could not believe that it was me talking on the radio. When I started on the radio I was named ‘Mysterious Girl’ at some point as nobody knew who I was. They only heard the voice and did not know who the person was, which I was okay with. Even when the cameramen internally wanted to come and film my show, I asked them to find someone else. This is because at that time I did not want anyone to know who I was. However, gradually I was okay with that.

Seychelles NATION: What qualities does one need to be a radio presenter?

Emmz: Be yourself. I have always said this. Just by being yourself, and knowing what you are bringing onto the radio and knowing what your audience is like is very important. Yes, there will be instances where your audience will not like something. Of course, you cannot make everyone happy. Once you know what your audience really like, you know what you are doing, you are comfortable and you are being yourself, things will flow for you. This is what is really important. I can also say that, in Seychelles for example, we are a nation who likes our tradition, and at Paradise FM we play a lot of Creole music. As Paradise FM in this context, we are Seychellois, and this brings much more out of us as radio presenters.

Seychelles NATION: Share with our readers some of the shows you host on Paradise FM.

Emmz: I do the ‘The Breakfast Show’ from Monday to Saturday. Monday to Friday it is from 6am to 9am, and on Saturdays from 7am to 10am. ‘The Breakfast Show’ during the week and weekend are different in terms of timing and content. The normal Breakfast Show from Monday to Friday is about morning tips and education, for instance, telling people about the importance of having a good breakfast for their health and all. We tend to educate more about what to do in the morning, but we do entertain. We educate more in terms of why you should eat this and not that, we bring educational items for kids as well. It’s basically something for all ages. On Saturdays, you will hear a lot of traditional music. We discover districts, we learn about our tradition, music, dance and food, etc.

I also do ‘Afro-Beat’. I am someone who loves African music. So, I do ‘Afro-Beat’ every Tuesday from 8pm to 10pm. Actually, Afro-Beat is everywhere around the world. I also bring new and old songs to my audience. On the show I get to learn about new artists on the African continent.

You will also hear me during the day when I am replacing someone who is not well or have changed shifts. I have been co-hosting ‘The Breakfast Show’ with Queenly for about two years or more now, but not every day. There are days when she comes for the night shift only. But I should mention that I have done all the different shows at the radio station, but ‘The Breakfast Show’ is my best. It’s like my baby.

Seychelles NATION: What is your relationship like with your audience?

Emmz: Like I said, you cannot please everyone. At first when I started, it was difficult for me, since when I am on air I tend to keep in my head what my audience is thinking.  The reviews I have received until now have been good. I cannot complain. I know my audience is enjoying my show because at exactly 6am on the dot, I get the rooster to crow and the messages start to flood in my inbox one after another. I usually wake up at 4 in the morning every day. So, at times I am tired to go to work, but as soon as I enter the studio and the show starts, I am already at a hundred percent.

Seychelles NATION: After you finish your show, what is the day like for you?

Emmz: Well, usually I have three hours on air, from 6am to 9am. When I am not doing my shows I am at the office to take up other works until around 11.30am. This is because we have to prepare for the show the next day. If there are things still pending that we have to take care of, we do it during that time.

There are advantages and disadvantages with this working schedule. With regards to the schedule, when your body clock is used to waking up at a certain time, and if you wake up at a different time you would want to sleep. But I cannot fall asleep.

Seychelles NATION: On the radio you have to connect with your audience without the use of visuals. How do you manage this?

Emmz: I try to describe things as much as possible. Just like when we do the different roadshows. During a roadshow, TV does its own thing, so does the radio. For example, if I take the parade; TV will describe a platoon briefly because people can see it, but on the radio I will have to describe in more details what the platoon looks like because people cannot see what is actually happening. You need to describe things as much as possible. It also brings forth an exciting feeling as well. It also allows you to learn a lot of things.

Seychelles NATION: What would you say have been some of your best moments during your five years at Paradise FM?

Emmz: The first day I started, I was going crazy and was not sure what to do. The most fun I would say would be the roadshows. Those are the best. You get the experience and learn a lot. But I can say that just being on the radio every day is great.

Seychelles NATION: Do you have any advice for anyone who would like a career as a radio presenter?

Emmz: Because I love what I do, I would say go for it to anyone who would like to take on a career as a radio producer/presenter. It is not just a matter of sitting behind the mic every day. There are moments where you will have to use your brain and know what you are going to say. You cannot go on air and say what you like. You have to be prepared all the time. Also, it’s a way to discover yourself.

Contributed