Trouble in Paradise

LisaRaye McCoy Misick & her Prime Minister Husband hit Major Turbulence. 

I was disappointed to hear that actress LisaRaye McCoy Misick and her husband, Dr. Michael Misick, Chief Prime Minister of Turks and Caicos Island, are separated and reportedly divorcing. I was privileged to have LisaRaye share her love story with me from the time they got engaged until my last interview with her in December of 07. We talked in detail about her fairytale courtship and marriage via phone and in person about six times. Sonya’s Spotlight Web magazine featured an interview with LisaRaye back in the early winter (see previous issue for interview), where she talked of their love growing even stronger. But once I turned off my tape recorder (after our one-on-one interview), LisaRaye shared some of her doubts about her marriage with me (off the record) - and I encouraged her to hang in there.  

In the beginning, LisaRaye described her courtship with her then fiancé as a “fairytale.” They met at the 2005 Trumpet Awards in Atlanta, GA. For their first date, the Prime Minister traveled to Ocho Rios, Jamaica where she was hosting an event. The next day he flew the actress and her friends to the Turks and Caicos Islands on his private jet. Three months later he proposed to her in front of their families and friends with a 10-carat marquis diamond. After a courtship of romance and tropical bliss – which consisted of drinking champagne on yachts, getting pampered, and relaxing on the Prime Minister’s beach (which LisaRaye told me was his backyard), she became enamored. She told me she was also intrigued with the way Chief Minister Misick handled business. “You always dream that you’ll meet this certain kind of person that will take you away like Calgon,” she said. “He did just that. I have to pinch myself sometimes.” 

Unfortunately, love sometimes goes awry. When I received press releases recently about the demise of LisaRaye’s marriage (some press releases giving scandalous details of infidelity, rape allegations, and physical altercations) my heart went out to LisaRaye. I was really hoping that she and Prime Minister Misick could work out their issues.  

View one of my rare interviews with both LisaRaye and her husband (one year after they met) in the video above. They were engaged at the time.

                                              Sonya Jenkins

WRITTEN STATEMENT FROM LISARAYE

“It is with great sadness that I have to announce that my husband and I have separated.
 
Last night, Wednesday August 13, 2008, an attempt was made by and on behalf of my husband to first prevent my entry into our home and then, later, to make me leave our home by force.
 
It was necessary for me to receive medical treatment for injuries suffered and in relation to those injuries I shall continue to assist the police force with its enquiries.
 
Whilst it is my sincere wish to avoid unnecessary conflict, I shall not be intimidated, nor shall those individuals whose job it is to protect and represent me.
 
I ask that my privacy be respected in these difficult times and I believe that the people of the TCI will understand and support my wish to receive the necessary independent representation from the legal counsel of my choosing. I hope that, in time, the TCI government will come to share that view.
 
Although I have always been a supportive wife even in light of the very serious allegations currently pending against the Premier, there are limits even for me.
 
I continue to have the utmost respect for the people of the TCI who have always shown me kindness and support. I vow to continue my work amongst the people of Turks and Caicos Islands.
 
Until recently I had hoped that I would be able to continue to assist my husband during what will undoubtedly be difficult times ahead for him. I do not wish to have to add to his difficulties.”
 
LisaRaye McCoy-Misick
First Lady of the Turks & Caicos Islands.