Former Calypso Monarch Duane O’Connor is calling for transparency within the Trinbago Unified Calypsonians’ Organization, following concerns over the 2025 National Calypso Monarch results.
Duane O’Connor, who has served 18 years on the TUCO committee, says he was initially told by executive members that his son had placed second in the competition.
However, when the official results were announced, his son was named in seventh position.
“As a family we felt disappointed and hurt, I myself remembered over the past 33 years I myself on many occasions felt this sad way that my son felt and still feels as only a human being feels,” O’Connor stated on social media.
“But my wife and I continue to encourage him daily and pray as a union as he get older. I myself have become wiser, but that’s just me everyone deals with disappointment differently,” he added.
O’Connor also denied claims that he received personal assistance from TUCO President Ainsley King, saying any financial support was for a cultural tent initiative and not for personal gain.
“I’ve never received any personal or financial benefit from Mr King. In 2025 I approached TUCO for assistance to pay the band and cast members of the Monarch Cultural Experience a tent I opened for young persons who are unable to get into the more established tents. I was given $50,000.00 to pay the last two weeks salary of the cast and band Bunny B & moods,” O’Connor clarified.
He is urging reforms to TUCO’s judging system, constitution and greater unity within the organization.
“Let’s all work together for the greater benefit of TUCO, let’s make calypso great again taking calypso beyond boundaries and unleash kaiso to boundless harmonies,” O’Connor said.
