Biographie
Born Belinda Mercado Reid, a Piscean of the second city, Montego Bay Jamaica, was born to Loraine Flemming, a housemaid, and Roy Reid a Salesman. Belinda resided to Kingston and settled in Rock Hall, nestled in the cool hills of St. Andrew.
A past student of St. Hugh's High, Excelsior, UWI School of Continuing Studies and the Creative Production and Training Center where she studied Computer, Voice & Speech for television and platform and Techniques in Video Production, respectively.
Before acting, she was a Sales Representative at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel. She worked as A filing Clerk at the National Chest Hospital then later went on to Television Jamaica (TVJ), the number one Television station in Jamaica, where she worked in the Administration department then on to Sports department as a Production Assistant where she operated the teleprompter, write stories for broadcast, conduct vox pops, interviews etc. From TV she went to work with one of Jamaica's top production company, Media Mix the company that produced the number one Soap Opera in Jamaica, Royal Palm Estate later renamed The Black Burns. Although Belinda got her very first opportunity to appear on television doing cameo roles, her job description with the company was a Film Editor and Production Assistant. She was also given the opportunity to display her writing skills.
Belinda later went on to test her talent in theatre world. Her dream passion since a little girl in church and later in her teen days as a member of the former Miss Jamaica performing arts group Cathy Levy Players. Her acting skills was sharpened, groomed, and coached at the Center Stage Theatre by a couple of the finest and most successful Director/Writer/Producer who were housed to JAMBIZ International, a multi award winning company that birthed some of Jamaica's finest actors. Working as an actress with Jambiz International, she got the opportunity to work alongside some of Jamaica's top leading actors.
Belinda went on to do numerous shows with Jambiz International and many other production companies which lead to her touring in the USA and several other countries. Her very first play was called Christopher Cum-Buk-Us, a play that mimics the historical story of how Christopher Columbus discovered Jamaica, directed by an award winning director and writer where she played an Indian character while doubled as a Costume Mistress for the company. She went on to do Several other plays with the company that were all award-winning shows. Belinda worked with many award winning Writer/Director and Film Maker.
She also did many radios, tv commercials and prints for many top companies. She appeared in documentaries alongside international stars such as the Locked Up Abroad series by British writer/director/film producer Dimitri Doganis where she played a Police Officer interrogating two female drug smugglers from England trying to enter Jamaica, A Cry for Justice by Jamaicans for Justice, where she played an unfit mother who abuses and puts her child at risk of getting rape and forces her to keep it a secret. She played the lead role in a short film called Only Love Knows where she played a battered wife who was at the mercy of her child's father. She also starred in a hit Television series Joint Tenants where she played the lead role as an old lady who rents a house and goes against her landlord's rules by subletting and pretending to be the landlady. Her latest television series Get Millie Black, a detective series which airs November 25, 2024 on HBO in the USA, Channel 4 in the UK and stream on MAX where she plays the character Superintendent Barracat, a no nonsense Head of Police/Detectives. Her dream is to transitioned from the Jamaica stage and tv, to the international big screen.
When Belinda is not acting, she is in the studio laying down tracks and goes by the Monika Shanty B. She has released many songs and music videos can be found on Spotify, Apple Music, Deezer, Amazon, YouTube, and all other digital platform. She has done local and international collaborations with several artistes which led to her copping the 2019 AWSL Music Awards in England. She is set to release her debut album very soon.
Belinda, a mother, wife, actress and a singer is the CEO of ZAM Entertainment, a music/film/talent agency entity. She is also the Head of Business Affairs and Managing Director for a top Grammy award winning record label.
Mrs. Belinda Reid-Marshall gives back to her country and her community as she is active in several charitable deeds. She is the President for the Jamaica National Group's JN Circle for the corporate area chapter which is governed by the JN Bank in collaboration with the JN Foundation where she leads a team of dedicated Jamaican citizens who identifies the needs in their respective communities and address it, helping many Jamaicans fighting poverty and birthing infrastructures especially during Covid Pandemic. She is also the Executive Director and Fundraiser President of the Rock Hall Primary School, her alma mater.
Belinda is well on her way to achieving all that she sets out to achieve. She is very humble and thankful for her growth and those who helped to contribute as she continues her journey doing what she was born to do.
