If you were to look up the word “controversial” in the dictionary you would find the definition   “an affinity towards disagreement or argumentative” and then you might see a picture of this fiery Hispanic/African-American bred Chicago entrepreneur, Steppin’ workshop instructor, voluptuous, sharp dresser, quick witted/tempered woman named “Sunshine.” No last name or government names needed … just Sunshine. Say what you want about this woman whose bark is as worse as her bite … she wants to dispel all rumors and myths about her once and for all!
Tracey Bivens (TB): Sunshine … I don’t know where to begin … the list of questions are endless but let’s try to start from the beginning. You are a native Detroiter but you represent Chicago very strong. Where does your allegiance truly lie?

Sunshine: My main allegiance lies wherever I make my home. Having served in the Army, I have lived all over the US and the world, so my allegiance is to America, how bout that?

TB: Allegedly, you have been known to fall out left and right with people on the set, club owners … and especially women … why do you think that is?

Sunshine: Any falling outs I have had with anyone is because I speak my mind. I speak up for myself and will not let anyone say anything to me out the way. I don’t phony kick it. When you think or act like the majority then its all good, but when you dare to do you and be different, there’s a problem. As far as club owners, I have not had any problems, that’s a myth. I have made decisions to leave certain clubs when it was the right thing to do at the time in terms of Shine Entertainment’s business. I can go back to any of the clubs where I have conducted business. As far as women, Tracey, any woman that is pretty, intelligent, nice shape and get lots of attention from men will always have problems with women that do not know their own worth.  I have taught cycles full of pretty women who are smart, nice shape, good jobs, etc and never had a fall out with any of them.

TB: Now if I am correct, you have had many successful women to come out of your cycle classes ranging in the hundreds. How can you be ridiculed one minute but popular and embraced the next? I don’t get it.

Sunshine: Jesus was not popular with the majority, he was ridiculed and crucified, so who am I? I am embraced by people that are on the same page as me.  As far as my cycle of classes, my course is more than a stepping class for women and that is why its so popular. The class empowers women to be the best in their lives as well. I lead by example. I know that God is pleased with me and what I doing with my life and have blessed me with 12 successful cycles. We are in the middle of a recession,  and I just started a new cycle with 70 students, so God is still doing his thing for his glory and not mine.

TB: A lot of people don’t know this that are new to Chistepper, but you actually had a lot to do with the rising popularity of the site with your quips with T. Pratt and other controversial comments. Do you say things to try and draw attention to yourself?
 
Sunshine: Absolutely not. I’ve never been an attention seeker, never had to. And to be honest, if I was, I didn’t have the chance to, ‘cause the haters at that time did all the work for me. My first topic on Chistepper was called “Why Do People Come Out to Step?” I wanted to know why people would come out on the set and talked shit about each other. That’s what set it off. I found it hilarious ‘cause I knew I hit a raw nerve. Speaking for myself, I’m a drinker that likes to step and I go out to do both. So if you come to me and try to talk about drama or somebody, after your first four words, I’m shutting you down because you’re killing my buzz! (Laughing)

TB: Come on Sunshine … give it up. Who is your true love?

Sunshine: He’s definitely not a stepper, he’s a successful and very smart businessman whose name will be kept anonymous. He’s “head of the household” material that treats me like a queen and we are crazy about each other.

TB: What steppers do you admire?

Sunshine: Any female stepper that can do spins, complicated turns and footwork with style, flair and bring sexy to the dance. And any male stepper that keeps re-inventing the wheel. Far as females, there’s Shareda, Salsa Tina, Monique Salter, Robin Summerise and from my own camp, Tatiana and Arianna. All of them bring it all to the dance floor. With the guys … Royce, he is an innovator and makes the dance fun. He is cold blooded. For his size and height he can move light and quick. Unique Maurice cause he’s always got a new trick up his sleeve, he is extremely precise. I think Drew from Detroit is awesome! Claudell Jackson, new schoolers are missing out on a master. He kept me on the floor when I didn’t know my right from my left turn. Tyk Myn, I am proud that he was my teacher and he taught me how to dance not just step.  He helped me be a better instructor when we taught class together. When I dance with him or Royce, I feel like I am their crash test dummy cause they always try new moves out on me on the fly but I can hang with them though … then there is Terrance … when he’s not sweatin’. (Laughing)

TB: Your relationship with the Majestic Gents has been off and on. What is your relationship like with the Majestic Gents?

Sunshine: I was not aware that it was an on and off relationship with the Gents. But when you say The Majestic Gents, I’m assuming you mean Pete Frazier and when I spoke out against the WLSC in ‘07 on Chistepper’s forum. I support Pete and he supports me … as a matter of fact he’s emceeing my 40th birthday party next month. I think people have blown that situation out of proportion. Me and Petey Wee Straw will always be cool despite what people think.

TB: What is one major misconception about you that you wish people would get right?
Sunshine: That I am lesbian or bisexual. I love men and being intimate with my man. I don’t have anything against lesbians or bisexuals, but I am strictly dickly. (Laughing)  I love “d!%k”, ask my man. (Laughing)  Also let me clear the air that I am a shit starter or a negative person. I am neither, I just won’t allow anyone to talk to me any kind of way. If you step to me with nonsense, I am gonna get you right together. I am tired of people forming an opinion of me based on someone else’s words about me and they have never even had a conversation with me or personally been around me for longer than 30 seconds.

TB: Early on in your time on the set, I noticed that you had a couple of situations where you were jumped in the club. I know that you made your peace with these individuals but can we explore that topic just to set the record straight?

Sunshine: Well for the record, I’ve only had one fight and that was in ’06 and that was with Lola and Franshon and yes we have made peace since then. The only other incident was with Renda (RIP) she is no longer here, so I will not talk about that. I find it funny how people make up all these other “jumpings”.

TB: Inquiring minds want to know … we’ve seen you with platinum blonde, black and henna colored hair … what’s next?

Sunshine: It depends on my mood. I might try pink or reddish orange this year.

TB: Why do you think that T. Pratt refers to your students as “blood thirsty Shinettes?”

Sunshine: I think that Terrance is funny.  He has been out with me and one of my cycles at a stepper’s set and saw the sisterhood we have and knows that they get offended if someone says something negative against me. I feel the same way about them. They (my students) are thirsty for the dance only, however if some stupid shit jumps off at a stepper set or a club with any of us, we are all for one and one for all.  We wanna see blood ... naw I am just kidding. (Laughing)

TB: Why don’t you post on Chistepper’s forum anymore? You’ve won so many accolades from the People’s Choice Awards because of it.

Sunshine: No longer wanted to expose my thoughts.  My words were getting misinterpreted and over analyzed anyway, so it was no longer fun. I am in a different place in my life and that time has come and went.  But I still support ChiStepper and Terrance and that will never change.

TB: What’s up for 2009?

Sunshine: This year I have a beginner’s contest and a same sex trio contest coming in the fall.  I am working my schedule out to do some female only workshops out-of-town.

TB: Okay. Here come the one word questions. Give me the first word that comes to mind. Tyk Myn?

Sunshine: Complex.

TB: T Pratt?

Sunshine: Pasty.
 
TB: Steppin?

Sunshine: Passion.

TB: Sunshine?

Sunshine: Happy.

Well folks … there you have it. Hate her or love her … Sunshine has proclaimed her throne as a mover and shaker in the Steppin’ community. Science has predicted that one day the sun is capable of extinguishing and that's about all that can block this ray of Sunshine!