Story by Overtime Media/JC XVIBES
Photos courtesy Lila Nikole
Caribbean talent was prominently featured on one of the world’s biggest sporting stages, as Trinidad and Tobago dancer Achsah Henry performed as part of the World Baseball Classic (WBC) under the creative direction of internationally-recognised designer and Wardrobe Manager, Lila Nikole.
Henry, known regionally for her work alongside soca superstar Machel Montano, described the experience as surreal and deeply meaningful.
“Honestly, my experience being part of the World Baseball Classic was so surreal. I’m still having moments like, did that really happen?” she said. “Being part of something of this magnitude feels like a full circle moment… it’s a reminder that the hard work, discipline and belief in myself were all worth it.”
Henry added that the moment extends beyond her own journey.
“It represents possibility, not just for me, but for other Caribbean women who may now see themselves in spaces they once never imagined.”
Nikole, whose résumé includes work on the Super Bowl Halftime Show, BET Awards and major Carnival bands such as Tribe and YUMA, said she intentionally selected Caribbean talent to bring authenticity and energy to the production.
“We got to highlight our street style, our reggaeton, our soca vibes,” Nikole explained. “Achsah embodies the music—she’s a powerful stage dancer.”
Also featured was Dominican Republic performer and choreographer Stephanie Ballena, who contributed to the creative process and praised the collaborative environment.
“Being part of the World Baseball Classic is something I will cherish forever. The team was so inspiring and nurturing,” Ballena said. “Representing the Caribbean as a Dominican is everything—this event is like our Super Bowl.”
The World Baseball Classic continues to grow as a global sporting and entertainment platform, drawing millions of viewers worldwide while incorporating high-level creative direction and performance.
For Henry, the experience signals a shift in how Caribbean talent is viewed internationally.
“There are so many roadblocks along the way, but moments like this show what’s possible,” she said.
As global productions increasingly embrace Caribbean culture for its authenticity and energy, collaborations like this highlight the region’s growing influence —not just as a source of talent, but as a driver of global creative expression.
