Twenty-five years after “VIP” first aired, the beloved radio drama still brings back memories of a vibrant era in Haitian entertainment.
On October 8, 2001, Radio Métropole introduced listeners to VIP—Vanité, Intrigues, Passions—a radio serial created by journalist and writer Sophia Désir. It quickly became a fixture in Haitian popular culture, bringing familiar voices from radio, television, and film together in a dramatic story that audiences followed throughout the week. The show ran from 2001 to 2005, and its popularity helped carry the story from radio to the screen.
For many fans, VIP was more than a radio program. Its cast became known as the “VIPs,” and listeners debated the characters, plots, and relationships long after each episode ended. The anniversary also invites a familiar question: where are the people who brought those stories to life?
Sophia Désir: the creator behind the story
Désir conceived and directed VIP, while also playing Martine Delarue. After the series ended, she continued writing, including novels published between 2007 and 2011. She moved to Canada in 2005; a 2026 anniversary feature describes her as living there and maintaining ties to Haitian media and culture. In 2020, Le Nouvelliste reported that Désir and several cast members were preparing new episodes, raising hopes for a return of the serial.
Smoye Noisy: still connected to Haitian cinema
Smoye Noisy became a memorable presence in VIP and in Haitian films such as Le Cap à la Une and Millionnaire par erreur. In recent years, he has kept a lower profile on screen, but he has remained connected to the country’s cultural life. In August 2026, he appeared as a special guest at the Lakaywood Film Festival in Cap-Haïtien and received recognition for his contributions.
Réginald Lubin: medicine and film
Réginald Lubin brought a distinctive mix of experience to VIP. A physician by training as well as an actor and filmmaker, he directed and starred in works including Pouki se mwen and La Peur d’aimer. A 2024 profile revisited his career and his contribution to Haitian cinema. Public reporting about his more recent day-to-day activities is limited, but his work remains part of the era’s cultural record.
Remembering Joe Damas and Farah Ménard
Some members of the VIP family are remembered rather than followed into new chapters. Radio host, musician, and actor Joe Damas died on March 4, 2017, at age 65, after battling cancer. His familiar voice had made him a fixture at Radio Métropole, where he hosted Metro Tempo.
Farah Ménard, also remembered for her work as a journalist, presenter, and actress, died in a traffic accident on September 18, 2011. Sophia Désir called her the best actress in the series, a tribute to the mark Ménard left on VIP and its audience.
Twenty-five years later, VIP remains a reminder of a time when Haitian performers could become household names through the power of a voice, a story, and a loyal audience. For those who tuned in every week, the characters—and the artists who played them—are still close.
What memories do you have of VIP? Which character or on-screen pairing was your favorite?
The HMI Magazine Cultural Desk
