In an exclusive, in-depth interview with Cheyna, Princess Georgy, one of the most iconic figures in the Haitian Music Industry (HMI), finally opens up about her tumultuous years with Zin, the personal and professional challenges she faced, and her new journey with Phantoms. This candid conversation touches on everything from the highs and lows of her career to the controversies surrounding her departure from Zin. For the first time, Georgy sets the record straight about her experiences, her relationships within the band, and the reasons behind her departure, while also reflecting on her future in the industry.
Early Days: From Passion to Professionalism
Georgy’s love for music began at a young age. “I started singing at school and church when I was 10,” she reminisced. “But it wasn’t until I met Kino and Jensen at 14 that I began to think about music as something more than a hobby.” Kino and Jensen introduced her to the professional music scene, and shortly after, they introduced her to Alex Abellard, the mastermind behind Zin. This marked the start of her remarkable career in the Haitian music scene.
However, even from the start, things didn’t go as planned. Georgy admitted that she was originally in talks with Kino and Jensen to be a part of their project, but due to a failed business deal, she ended up in Zin instead of becoming the first female lead singer for Phantoms, which was Kino and Jensen’s band at the time. Despite the rocky start, she quickly became a household name as the lead vocalist of Zin.
Zin and the Pressure of Fame: Competition, Manipulation, and Struggles
While her name became synonymous with Zin, Georgy’s journey was far from glamorous. Over the course of her 12 years with the band, she encountered challenges that tested her strength both on and off the stage. “Everyone talks about my name being the trademark of Zin, but no one knows the pressure that came with it,” she revealed. “It was hard for me, and it was even harder for the other women who joined the group. They didn’t last because they couldn’t handle the pressure, the criticism, and the lack of support from the band.”
Georgy highlighted how difficult it was for women in the industry, especially in Zin, where competition and jealousy were fostered by the management. “Alex always made us feel like we were in competition with each other,” she admitted, referring to the internal conflicts between her and other female vocalists like Shirley and Maggie. “It wasn’t just about the music—it was about control. And Alex knew how to manipulate the situation to keep us divided.”
When asked if the conflicts were driven by jealousy, Georgy didn’t hesitate. “Of course, there was jealousy. I was dating Alex at one point, and so were some of the other women. It was a mess,” she said, acknowledging that as a teenager, she was too young to fully grasp the emotional and psychological manipulation that was at play. “I didn’t know any better, but now I see it clearly. He was great at playing us against each other.”
Despite all of this, Georgy endured and became one of the most recognized and respected female artists in the HMI. “It was a tough environment,” she said. “But I was determined. I didn’t just want fame—I wanted to prove myself.”
Physical and Emotional Toll: Feeling Exploited in Zin
Behind the scenes, Georgy’s experience with Zin was far from fulfilling. She spoke openly about feeling exploited, both financially and emotionally. “I gave 12 years of my life to Zin. It was my whole world. I sacrificed everything—my dreams, my goals—for the band. And what did I get in return? Nothing.”
Her frustration was palpable as she reflected on the lack of financial compensation. “For 12 years, I never got a raise. Not once. Every penny I earned went back into the band—buying clothes, doing my nails, getting my hair done. I had to look the part because when people saw me, they saw Zin.” Yet despite her dedication, she was never reimbursed for these expenses. “I was working for nothing. It got to a point where I realized I was being taken advantage of. I needed more than just fame.”
Georgy also described the toll that being in the spotlight took on her mental health. “It’s not easy standing on stage for hours, smiling, pretending everything is fine when inside you’re breaking down,” she confessed. “Sometimes the crowd would call me names, and I had to act like it didn’t bother me, but their words cut deep.”
The Breaking Point: Did She Quit or Was She Pushed Out?
When asked about her departure from Zin, Georgy was quick to clarify that she didn’t quit but was pushed out. “I never walked away from Zin. They made it impossible for me to stay,” she said. After discovering unexplained deductions from her pay, Georgy requested a meeting with management, but no one responded. “They were playing games with me—sending me back and forth between Alex and the manager. I felt like a puppet.”
The situation escalated during a performance when Alex publicly humiliated her by telling her to get off the stage and calling her a “groupie.” Georgy said the experience was a turning point for her. “I was embarrassed. I had spent 12 years of my life in that band, and they treated me like I didn’t matter.”
She knew at that moment that her time with Zin was over, and although management tried to portray her departure as voluntary, Georgy firmly stated that she was pushed out. “They couldn’t use me anymore. I had gotten wiser, and they didn’t like that.”
A New Chapter: Phantoms and Moving Forward
Now with Phantoms, Georgy is looking forward to a fresh start. She admitted that joining the band was a difficult decision, especially with people accusing her of stepping down in her career, but she remains focused on her personal and professional growth. “People will always judge. But at the end of the day, I have to support myself, and singing is the way I do that.”
Despite the challenges, Georgy is optimistic about her future with Phantoms. “I’m an asset to this band, and they know it. If I wasn’t, they wouldn’t have approached me.” She acknowledged that the decision to join Phantoms wasn’t just about career advancement—it was also about survival. “I have to work. I have to survive. Whether I’m in Zin or Phantoms, I’ll always be judged. But I know my worth.”
Looking Ahead
As Georgy reflects on her 12 years with Zin and her new role in Phantoms, she remains determined to forge ahead. She expressed her gratitude for the lessons she learned, even though many of them came at a high cost. “I’ve grown a lot, and I’ve learned a lot. I won’t make the same mistakes again.”
Looking forward, Georgy is ready for whatever challenges may come her way, confident that her talent, experience, and resilience will guide her through this new chapter in her career. As she says goodbye to her past in Zin, she embraces the future with Phantoms, determined to prove that she is far from finished in the HMI. “I’m still here, and I’m not going anywhere.”
