Another horror story from the shady world of concert promotion

US SINGER STRANDED IN CARIBBEAN JAIL: Foreign Media Mistruths and Scandal, Estranges Innocent Singer From Support of Homeland
March 31, 2009
*It’s disturbing some of the things that happen to young oblivious American music artists travelling to do business in foreign countries.


I can’t start to get over the terrible story of how a simple music deal, involving an innocent young woman, turned into a life size nightmare in the Caribbean.


The Braxton/Johnson saga is like a modern day witch hunt, threatening to ruin the life of a beloved U.S. celebrity impersonator.


A face full of potentially dangerous objects thrown her direction, the threat of an angry crowd preparing to mob ... fast forward three days later - a piece of bread in the morning, two ounces of meat and a cup of Kool-Aid for dinner, no shower, no soap, no toilet paper; an 8-by-10 ft jail cell and locked away in a foreign country ... indefinitely, reports say. All for following through on a seemingly clean business deal and an opportunity to visit the Caribbean.


Poor Trina Johnson, an innocent and booming singer, best known for imitating profoundly talented celebrities including Whitney Houston, Tina Turner, and Toni Braxton. Johnson is sitting in a jail cell in the Caribbean right now, scared out of her mind, losing muscle tone and weight and if things don’t turn around quickly, she’ll lose her house and her husband will lose his job.


Although it’s clear she is innocent, the singer stands to spend the next three years locked away in South America, for singing a song, that she was hired to sing. This is perplexing! If you haven’t heard about the Toni Braxton - Trina Johnson Saga, here’s the story.


Jonson was hired by a booking agency in Las Vegas that contracts celebrity impersonators and was sub-contracted by a promoter, Angel Ventura, of Suriname Paramaribo. Contracts were signed agreeing that Johnson would perform Toni Braxton songs at a birthday celebration and that the promoter would not use advertisements or promotions listing the performer as literally being Toni Braxton. After all was lined up, Johnson and her husband, Raymond Finn travelled to Suriname, Paramaribo.


The rest of the story outlines the nightmare. “Imposter, Imposter” yelled screams from the audience. Finn and a security guard rushed to the stage to save Johnson from an angry crowd who’d been deceived, and believed that they were getting the real Toni Braxton. Johnson was conned and thought she would simply be singing tribute songs. She was immediately jolted and confused, sources say.


Ventura vanishes after the show, leaving Johnson and her husband accused. Both Johnson and husband are three days later thrown in a Suriname jail and learn that Ventura promoted the show as a Toni Braxton concert, apparently to fill seats. Finn is released after two weeks, for lack of evidence. But a month later Johnson remains in Suriname locked away, stripped of American rights and since a criminal charge had been filed, she had no hope of the U. S. Embassy in Suriname intervening.


Although, an edited copy of a Suriname news interview frames Johnson as guilty, according to Finn, it’s clear that scenes and commentary were doctored. And it’s also clear to Finn and Johnson’s supporters, at no point does Johnson ever say she is Toni Braxton.


This is the true version, as proven by business correspondence. There’s another version of the story out there proliferating the internet that burns this poor girl like a witch, and turns American citizens against her. That version of the story turns my stomach. And it’s an outright fable. I’ve seen clips, and once again, it’s clear that Johnson is innocent.


The America spin on the Braxton/Johnson stories came from my colleagues who, like I was, were reported opportunistic lies; the kind of lies that might cost Johnson her career and the next three years of her life. I’m certain, however that with the news of her innocence responsible American journalism will prevail.


Johnson is a talented U.S. Citizen, being fed to foreign dogs. She never once tried to pass herself off as Braxton. Surinamese journalists have assassinated Johnson’s character and are tying her to a burning stick that fellow American’s are helping to fuel. While Suriname’s legal system, so far refuses to act on proof of her innocence, and continues to hold her prisoner with no evidence of criminal activity, according to officials representing the case. We’re not dealing with Americans, so civil rights don’t count. Trina Johnson needs some help over there. Those of you reading who’ve got any clout, feel free to use it.


Since Johnson is from Las Vegas, her supporters are lobbying Las Vegas Congress woman Shelley Berkeley to start moving on this. I agree, make a few phone calls across the states, shake things up a bit and do what it takes to bring Johnson home. U.S. State department, United States Senator Reid, you’ve all been contacted, let’s bring this girl home.


Those of us who could do something to protect her, until recently hadn’t known the truth about what’s gone wrong. The Suriname media led us to believe she’s just a lowly imposter. But she’s not and she needs help.


For more information on this story or to find out how you can help contact Lynn Allen Jeter & Associates at info@lynnallenjeter.com.

Wow.....

That's crazy!

Timmy84 said:

Man that is rediculous. Anyone got pics?

Yeah, just don't ever leave the states!

I'll take this story at face level, if it is true then Suriname is a backwards ass country. If she was accused of drug dealing or some real hardcore crime, I would believe the overreaction by their Government. If she is suffering this much over such a trivial and stupid mistake on the promoter's end, then this action is overzeleous and cruel. She did nothing wrong, why isn't that country's law enforcement going after the promoter? This is a horrible story, I hope it gets more coverage.

Dailing Nancy Grace.....

Well, that was certainly an objective and unbiased piece of reporting. Where was it published?

That was an incredibly unprofessional article. It reads like a bad tabloid or a high school newspaper. It's a little hard to believe the validity of the story with such sensationalistic, suspect writing.

http://eurweb.com/

It is from eurweb. I find it strange that a young woman is being held against her will in a wack-ass South American country and all you can think about is the unprofessional writing is in the article. Oh I almost forgot this is Prince.org !!!

meow85 said:

laurarichardson said:

The article offers no proof of any of its claims, and it throws any kind of fairness or objectivity out the window as early as the title itself. Meow85 is right, it reads like a tabloid, so why shouldn't it be treated as such? I will be taking this story with a huge pinch of salt until I see a vaguely reasonable article on it.

Annika said:

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You see there is this thing called "Goggle" that you can use to look up articles. Oh nevermind I forgot this Prince.Please see below.

http://finance.yahoo.com/...34470.html

http://www.reuters.com/ar...BW20090324

laurarichardson said:

Like I said, when I see one. I'm not going to go out looking for sources for a story I ultimately have no interest in. It is the writer's job to provide verification for their own claims and reference other articles where necessary, not the reader's.

Having seen Reuters take on it, though, this is unfortunate.

Was she singing a Toni Braxton song? And they started yelling "imposter!" ? I don't get it. And I'm sleepy. Help me out.

Cinnie said:

These people are probably scammed by their government all the time and the only outlet they have for their rage is some poor girl who only wants to sing a damn song.

Cinnie said:

Nah you read right. Why would anyone even DO that? Just because you sang another person's song? Are you kidding me?

Wow, that's crazy

Annika said:

What she said.

I've not heard this story anywhere else, let alone from a reliable source. And journalistic style matters hugely in terms of credibility. This piece is written in heavily emotional language and makes attempts at cheap set-ups for suspense to keep the reader engaged. Both of those are purely tabloid-esque techniques, and not something a legitimate news source would ever use.

Annika said:

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"this is unfortunate" Yes it is I just read about Ralfi Pagan a latin singer who went to Columbia to perform in the late 70's and was killed due to a dispute with a promoter.
Never really realize how rough it could be for performers working abroad.

Since a criminal charge was filed, the U.S. Embassy in Suriname cannot
intervene. As yet, the Suriname Officials neglect to inform the media of
evidence that supports Johnson`s innocence or to divulge any evidence that
justifies her continued detainment. Finn is fighting to secure his wife`s
release. Although she is innocent, Johnson could be held for three years.
Johnson`s family and friends have appealed for help from Senator Harry Reid and
Congresswoman Shelley Berkeley as well as other top U.S. officials.