Exclusive: Ex Bandmate: Wyclef Jean Isn't Qualified to Be Haiti's President
Credit: Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images for AFI; Soul Brother/FilmMagic
Two days after Wyclef Jean confirmed his plans to run for Haiti's presidency, hip-hop star Pras says he won't be casting his vote for his former Fugees bandmate.
"I think he brought Haiti a lot of national spotlight and attention where people are concerned and really want to help out," Pras, 37, tells UsMagazine.com. "But to be the President of Haiti, I don't see it because I don't see what his real plans are. His plans are so general."
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And although Pras (real name: Prakazrel Samuel Michel) says Jean is "like my brother," he worries that the "Sweetest Girl (Dollar Bill)" singer is merely "trying to seize a moment of opportunity" after a series earthquakes left the country devastated in January.
"If he really wanted to help Haiti, he should have chosen his influence and champion and go around these countries that have pledged money to Haiti who have not given a single dime yet. You don’t even see 3 percent of what's been pledged," Pras complains. "You need to say, 'Listen, we need money!'"
But Jean, 37, recently told Time that his intentions were pure: "I knew I'd have to take the next step. If not for the earthquake, I probably would have waited another 10 years before doing this."
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Still, Pras isn't wholly convinced.
"At one point, two million people are living in a tent city. These people need water; they need the basic healthcare like band-aids, like alcohol to clean the wounds. Just basic, just the fundamentals," he says. "We're not even going to talk about the fact that there’s not a trauma unit there. I just think he’s exhausting his energy in the wrong places."
As for ex Fugees bandmate Lauryn Hill, Pras tells Us that he "can imagine she would think this is just theatrics."
The musician -- whose working on a new CD with his band Axixs -- also warns that while the publicity Jean has brought to Haiti's plight has been beneficial to relief efforts, his judgment may be clouded by the circle of people surrounding him.
"He's probably got some corporate people behind him that really want to come in there and exploit the country and basically control it," Pras tells Us. "So my thing is that right there disqualifies him to be the leader of the country."
Instead, Pras plans to support Michel Martelly -- who, like Jean, is also not a politician -- in the upcoming elections.
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"He's the only guy in Haiti who can unite the bourgeoisie, which is the elite, and the masses, which is the youth. They have such an affinity for this guy. They admire him so much and will do anything for him," Pras says. "A good leader is somebody who can make someone do something, right? A great leader is someone who can make someone say, 'I need to do this, and I believe I can do this.'"
And though he remains wary of Jean's proposed foray into politics, he does praise one celebrity for his undeterred relief work in Haiti: award-winning Milk actor Sean Penn.
"Sean Penn has not exhausted. That means you really care. All of these people are what is going to help Haiti go to the next level," Pras tells Us. "And that moment is now. If it doesn’t happen now, Haiti is forever done."
Tell Us What You Think
24I believe that Wyclef would be the ideal president for Haiti. Not only is he a native of the country, but he is also a very caring and compassionate person who has always given back to his community here, so I'm sure he will do a grand job there. I wish him much luck and success!
LOL! Wythieft does not even speak proper english not to mention his creole is bad and he does not speak a lick of french.
His love for Haiti suffices! He could have done otherwise with all his fortune and fame. Do you know what those who might call themselves Elite will do: they will brag about marrying a Fanm lot peyi ( Ma femme est une etrangere), they will ...not once let people know where they are from nor share their stage with the name or flag of Haiti when they are receiving their awards. How many of them go back home after they held their high offices once they made it. He has the qualifications!!!! Better then the priest (x-thief and criminal), better than all who are objecting. He has my vote. Antoine Simon was not that bad after all......
His love for Haiti suffices! He could have done otherwise with all his fortune and fame. Do you know what those who might call themselves Elite will do: they will brag about marrying a Fanm lot peyi ( Ma femme est une etrangere), they will ...not once let people know where they are from nor share their stage with the name or flag of Haiti when they are receiving their awards. How many of them go back home after they held their high offices once they made it. He has the qualifications!!!! Better then the priest (x-thief and criminal), better than all who are objecting. He has my vote. Antoine Simon was not that bad after all......
Sweet Micky is well known but too vulgar. Anybody can unite this country. Wiclef is bringing another dimensions to the playfield. No, He has the right to be Haiti's next president as Micky has it equally. Mickey dressing like a woman, using indecent artifacts topped by a nasty mouth. No, Sir public morality is important. As far as I am concerned Mr Wiclef has a higher standard than Mickey. He should be the next president: his undeniable love for Haiti suffices.
I agree with Wyclef Jean's ex-bandmate. I don't think he should be running for the president of Haiti; does he even have the qualifications of running a country? It seems a little far-fetched to go from hip-hop singer/producer to actually trying to get Haiti out of its current situation; that's beyond dreaming big! What would be his plans and would they work? Does he even know how to run a country?! You can't go from "Hips Don't Lie" to something as big as ruling an entire nation -- that's insane! I don't know, this is so weird. What are these celebs thinking these days? That they can conquer the entire world?! A little too ambitious!
These guys are always slamming each other in the media. Wyclef had a "foundation" that was very questionable and had his mistress running it and receiving more than 100,000 salary. I wouldn't trust a celebrity to run my country
Get real, Fred. This dude has no experience whatsoever. He is a musician, unqualified to run that country. If he somehow becomes president of Haiti, the country will never be any better off than it is now.
sorry...type I meant "He would probably win..." not "it"
I think it's unfair. He has no experience once so ever. It would probably win because he's a great artist but that would be robbing the other person who is more experienced that him. His intentions are good however, I don't think he should run for president because of it. Let someone who is more experienced do the job. He can be like the spokesman or ambassador for Haiti and help out that way.
your an idiot. President Obama is more than qualified to be President... after 8 longs years of bush stealing the future away from your kids and mine we are left in a depression so huge that your grandchildren will never know the America I knew growing up. Bush gave huge tax cuts to all the wealthiest people in this country who have packed up their businesses and moved them to other countries,putting Americans out of work and now we are closing down libraries and schools because there are no jobs, returning vets who are fighting for you come home to no job no future and no hope while we are rebuilding the countries we have bombed. Fred you need to educate yourself before you write because you have no clue what is going on.President Obama has more education than you will ever have and he is more qualified to be President than both the bush's ever were, and for you to make that statement shows how ignorant you are.
I thought the same thing , why did they close the comments down on Shiloh being in boys swim trunks. Wycleft jean should be in Haiti on the ground helping the people he now wants to lead.
Why not we have a president that wasn't qualified for his office. More on that at the blog clog on the web.
I think he has the best intentions but to run for president?? That my not be what he needs to do for the country.
I think that Wyclef is very passionate about his people....and not being qualified? Um, was Gov. Schwar....whatever his name is "qualified" to run for the USA??? No, there are a lot of people who are not qualified, but Wyclef has love, passion, and pride for his land and people!
Hey ignorant little Kelly - a LOT of countries donated when Katrina hit - I WAS FROM ONE OF THEM!
Boy the comments must have been bad on the article about Shiloh frolicing in the pool for US to delete them all and not allow comments! She is wearing boy's swimming trunks and is topless! She really does think she's a boy.
Yoo-hoo. Please tell me how Countries such as South America, Africa, China, Russia can come running when they're suffering most of the time? It's not about what someone can do for "you" but what can "you" can do for others. When everyone thinks like this, the Planet will finally be @ peace.
I think its great that he wants to help his country, but to be honest I didnt see one country come running when Katrina hit the United Statesds
At least Pras recognizes that Wyclef's efforts are sincere. Now, on to some of the commenters. I agree who cares if Angelina's white? I don't care if someone is purple if it means they are willing to be compassionate towards another human in need. In terms of Oprah, why should the weight of the world fall entirely on her earned income? It's the world's obligation to look out for someone truly in need. If each one of us did just 1 thing. I am have a child I sponsor through World Vision & tithe weekly. FYI, b'cause of Oprah there's a Village in Africa that's able to have a meal each day b'cause of her contributions, as well as the school she formed for indigent girls.