PM Says He Once Urged Entertainer Claudette Peters to Enter Politics

PM Once Urged Entertainer Claudette Peters to Enter Politics

Prime Minister Gaston Browne has disclosed that he once encouraged acclaimed soca artist Claudette “CP” Peters to enter politics, describing her as a figure of significant national influence who could have made a strong electoral contender for the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party (ABLP).

“I actually asked Claudette to consider entering politics,” Browne said during his Browne and Browne programme on Pointe FM. “That was back in 2019. I believed then—and still do—that she’s a phenomenal talent with national appeal, and someone who could make a real impact beyond entertainment.”

Browne, who has led the ABLP since 2012, said Peters was viewed as more than just a popular performer. “She’s not only an exceptional entertainer, but someone with charisma, intelligence, and a following that spans generations. That’s the kind of influence you want in politics.”

The prime minister did not specify which constituency Peters had been considered for, but said her name had come up in the context of the party’s internal candidate benchmarking process.

“When we poll, we sometimes use what we call ‘benchmark’ candidates—names of prominent individuals, even if they’re not politically active, to see how the party performs with them hypothetically on the ticket,” Browne explained. “CP was one of those names. It doesn’t mean the person has to run. It’s about measuring impact.”

Though Peters ultimately declined the invitation to join the political fray, Browne said the door remains open.

“She never gave a definitive ‘no,’” he added. “She was flattered, I believe, but I think she preferred to continue her journey in the creative space. And that’s fine—we respect that. But it goes to show the calibre of people we’re willing to consider.”

Peters, best known for her dominance in the soca monarch arena and her role as a cultural ambassador, has not commented publicly on any political aspirations. Browne’s remarks mark the first time her name has been linked to potential candidacy.

“She’s a national icon,” the prime minister concluded. “Imagine someone with that kind of cultural capital using it to empower people on the political stage. It could have been transformational.”

Claudette ‘CP’ Peters, affectionately known as Antigua’s “Soca Diva,” has significantly influenced the Caribbean music scene with her powerful vocals and dynamic performances. Her musical journey began at the tender age of nine, singing in church and school choirs, which laid the foundation for her illustrious career. Peters gained prominence as the lead vocalist for several local bands, including Taxik Band, where she showcased her versatility across genres like soca, reggae fusion, and soul. Her breakthrough came in 2005 when she became the first female artist to win the Antigua Soca Monarch title with her hit “All I Know,” a song that also earned her the “Best Female Artist” and “Song of the Year” awards at the National Vibes Star Project Awards. Over the years, Peters has amassed multiple titles in both the Groovy and Jumpy categories of the Party Monarch competitions, solidifying her status as a leading figure in Antigua’s Carnival celebrations. Notably, she was honored with the “Order of the Most Princely Heritage” for her contributions to culture and music in Antigua and Barbuda.

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