T&T – Carnival, Terri Lyons Crowned Calypso Monarch

2026-02-17 - 13:27

Veteran calypsonian Terri Lyons has secured her second Calypso Monarch crown, delivering a commanding victory during the Dimanche Gras finale at Queen’s Park Savannah in the early hours of Monday morning. Lyons, who previously captured the title in 2020, emerged as the undisputed standout of the night with her spiritually driven performance of “Blessings,” a song that resonated deeply with audiences. Her rendition earned an extended standing ovation from both the Grand Stand and the North Stand — the latter reopening for the competition for the first time since 2012 — signaling strong crowd approval even before results were announced. For her victory, Lyons received a $1 million cash prize along with a Suzuki Vitara, courtesy of Lifestyle Motors. While her win was widely celebrated by the larger-than-usual audience, reactions to other placements proved more divisive. Audible jeers echoed across the Savannah as results were revealed, with some patrons openly questioning the judges’ decisions. “They cheat,” one patron shouted. “They (the judges) doing it again,” another voice called from the crowd. The tension quickly shifted to celebration, however, as cheers erupted once Lyons was officially declared the winner. Finishing in second place was National Action Cultural Committee Young King Rivaldo London with “Water Thicker.” Nine-time Chutney Soca Monarch Rikki Jai claimed third position performing “Doh Spoil Meh Name.” Crowd favorite Karene Asche placed fifth with her politically charged entry “Nobody Wins Until,” while defending champion Helon Francis finished sixth with “Doh Forget.” Although Francis encountered no issues inside the venue, viewers watching the live broadcast reported an audio drop during his performance — a technical glitch that later fueled speculation and conspiracy theories on social media, particularly given the song’s political commentary. Official Results — Calypso Monarch Final Terri Lyons — Blessings — 263 Rivaldo London — Water Thicker — 245 Rikki Jai — Doh Spoil Meh Name — 241 Yung Bredda — The Messenger — 240 Karene Asche — Nobody Wins Until — 239 Helon Francis — Doh Forget — 237 Nicole Thomas-Clarke — Sacrifice — 236 Ta’Zyah O’Connor — Cast Them Away — 235 Giselle “GG” Fraser — No Village Can’t — 230 Muhammad Muwakil — Calypso — 228 Kerice Pascall — No Conscience — 225 Roslyn Hayes — Calypso Calling Me — 212 Lyons’ triumph adds another defining chapter to her career and reinforces calypso’s enduring power at the heart of Trinidad and Tobago’s Carnival — where music, commentary, and cultural expression continue to command both passion and debate.