The new Freeform reality series, ‘Grand Cayman: Secrets in Paradise™’, is set to premiere on 9 April with cast member and co-producer Selita Ebanks telling people to “get your popcorn ready”.
Along with the Cayman-born supermodel, actress and philanthropist, the reality TV show also features Elizabeth Chambers, ex-wife of actor Armie Hammer; Courtney McTaggart; Chelsea Flynn; Craig Jervis; Cass Lacelle; Aaron Bernardo; and Julian Foster.
According to the show’s promotional material, viewers will get an unfiltered look into Cayman being “a playground for the rich and famous” as locals and expats navigate “the rocky waters of relationships, friendships and careers in the paradise that is Grand Cayman”.
‘This is a long way coming.’
“In 2019, I had a dream of moving [back] home and working from here,” Ebanks told the Compass. “I said if I was able to do a show, then I’ll be able to live here and work here and life would be great… so I shot this as a reel and I sent it to my agent, and one thing turned into the next and here we are today.”
Ebanks has previously appeared on US TV shows ‘The Apprentice,’ ‘How I Met Your Mother,’ ‘South Beach’ and ‘Hawaii Five-O.’
She said this show is a unique experience as she is also a producer.
“It’s not just about being the talent, but also producer, all the ins and outs, and the business behind it, so I really hope that this will be one of many productions that I’d be a part of. That’s what makes it different for me because my goal is to be a well-known producer.”
What is also different for the model and ex-fiancée of Nick Cannon, Ebanks took some time from the industry “on purpose” to focus on herself.
“I think COVID did that for all of us, and I really just owned it, and I said let me take this break to be comfortable with myself. I was just existing…
“I wasn’t really living my full potential and I think coming back home to Cayman obviously helped with that. I’ve been able to reconnect and get grounded and just to be myself that I’ve always aspired to be. Being on the show is a dream come true to be able to live and work from my mother’s homeland.”
Bringing Cayman to the world
Ebanks, whose big thing on this show is “turning 40”, told viewers, “Y’all not strong enough for the Cayman Islands,” at the end of the much-shared trailer released in December 2023.
“I thought my line was the least of the controversy,” Ebanks chuckled, adding, “I’m like wait – y’all upset [because] I said that y’all not strong enough for Cayman?!…. Cayman is a tough place like, we’re an island but we’re all very strong people, especially if you’re going to live here… you have to have a strong personality!”
For Ebanks’ storyline, she wanted to tap into cultural spots from her childhood. “I wanted to show, as much as we could, the culture, the people, regular Caymanians, new talent, and locations. One scene we shot in Windsor Park because I grew up on Walkers Road. I wanted to show people this is where you would find little Selita running around like a little crazy ‘gyal’.”
“We filmed on Walkers Road at my grandparents’ house. We went to Pedro Castle. I really tried to capture my version of Cayman through my eyes. There were about 15 of us, so a lot of footage, and I understand not everyone, or every location, will be shot on camera, but I just hope that everyone gets to see a little bit of themselves because it’s all about… inclusiveness and representation.”
Ebanks added, “I think that was the most compelling part for me to do this project…giving Caymanians the chance to see themselves – their home. My nieces, brothers, my grandmother [are shown], so I think it’s refreshing and we’re finally going to be able to give Cayman a voice, a perspective, a personality.”
She felt it important to show there is “more to Cayman than just banking and diving”, adding, “I think the show is going to open up many doors for people here in Cayman that want to be heard, especially in the arts and creative community. I think this is going to be a really amazing opportunity for them to start putting themselves out there.”
‘Now I have lifelong friends’
Ebanks said it was fun working on the show.
“Most of the cast members are younger, I won’t say substantially, but they’re a little younger than me, so I live vicariously through them, because they really know how to party and have a good time.
She said, “I think our cast is so diverse, and so many different personalities, and they’re just really fun and easy to work with. We’re all in a group chat. I didn’t really know many of them before [we] started filming, but now we’re all lifelong friends, so there’s a positive.”
Ebanks didn’t spill any secrets before the premiere, saying she’s “drinking her water and minding her business”.
She added, “I’m just focused on my businesses, trying to grow, focus on the community and see how I can assist my young people here…
“I don’t have any secrets, but the rest of the cast now, chile, get your popcorn ready.”
‘Grand Cayman: Secrets in Paradise’ premieres on Freeform and will be streaming on Hulu.
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