PHILIPSBURG--Love & Hip Hop producers and stars made a special contribution to the island on Tuesday by donating 9,000 pounds of relief items to schools and charities in St. Maarten. In addition to the donation, the show budgeted close to US $300,000 it plans to spend while filming one episode this week.
“They have employed security personnel, makeup teams, taxi drivers, cooks and rented villas while staying and filming here,” stated Director of Tourism Rolando Brison Tuesday.
The crew filmed some scenes at Milton Peters College where they donated several school items to students.
One of the show’s main stars, Safaree Samuels, told students, “We are just actors, you guys are the people who can truly make change, Big up and stay in school.”
The show taped part of the episode at the school and returned to their villa later on Tuesday. Brison said the show took over most of the expenses and the episode will air on American cable company VH1 in February.
Love & Hip Hop: New York (originally known simply as Love & Hip Hop) is the original instalment of the Love & Hip Hop reality television franchise on VH1. The series premiered on March 6, 2011, and chronicles the lives of several people in New York City (and nearby areas, including New Jersey and Yonkers), involved with hip hop music.
Its success has produced the spin-offs Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta, Chrissy & Mr. Jones, Love & Hip Hop: Hollywood, K. Michelle: My Life, Stevie J & Joseline: Go Hollywood, Leave It To Stevie and Love & Hip Hop: Miami.
On October 2 VH1 announced the show's return for an eighth season, which premiered on October 30.
“By the time this episode airs, we should have more places open and we would be able to do much more. I am glad that we are able to get St. Maarten out to millions of people who watch the show around the world. I thank the stars and producers for thinking about St. Maarten and bringing relief items. They are spending and contributing to the economy. Tourism continues to work for the people of this great country,” said Brison.
