Read Part 1 of our 4-Part exclusive interview with First Lady of Turks and Caicos LisaRaye McCoy-Misick »

Read Part 3 »

See personal photos of LisaRaye McCoy-Misick »

View LisaRaye and Michael wedding pics »

The First Lady of Turks & Caicos will hold court—literally. LisaRaye McCoy-Misick will testify today in the British government inquiry of her estranged husband, Premier of Turks and Caicos Michael Misick, who is facing allegations of governmental corruption. Misick has dismissed the allegations, maintaining that they were invented by his political opponents. As she prepares to take the stand, the Chi-town beauty speaks to ESSENCE.com about the women of Turks and Caicos who denounce her but support her husband, whether their marriage was a fraud and why she still loves the country.

ESSENCE.COM: As you prepare to appear in court today in connection to the British government's inquiry into allegations of corruption by your estranged husband, do you ever ask yourself, "How did I get here?"
LISARAYE McCoy-MISICK: There are still two sides to that. The first is, when I first got with Michael, I had never been instrumental in a movement and I was encouraged and wanted to be a part of what he was trying to do with the country. I was a fan of his. I'm listening and looking and at the same time all of these other things are unfolding in front of my eyes. So now, the second part is that I've been sucked in and things have come in between us and upset my life. But then I'm thinking, Wait a minute! There's another side to this story. As much as I want to be neutral, I don't want to be in trouble. It's a shame he's going through this.

ESSENCE.COM: It's interesting that, after all you two have been through, you show compassion for him. Has your husband ever acknowledged or commended you on your role and contributions to the country as First Lady?
LISARAYE: The one thing he said during his inquisition was my wife has increased tourism a significant amount. When he said that, it made me soften a bit. Again, I'm a people-person and I used those skills to embrace the people of the country. I'd walk on the beach and walk up to people and ask them how they liked the island and they'd speak freely to me, not knowing who I was until after I'd walked away and someone else told them. That's how I chose to operate and connect with everyone. However, there are so many politics. I was often told not to speak to the opposing party, and I thought it strange because, in American politics, whether you're a Democrat or Republican, it doesn't mean you don't communicate with the other side. In fact, it's often encouraged, so you get to know what you're competition is thinking. So that was hard for me because I am outgoing.

ESSENCE.COM: Despite your support and role as the First Lady of Turks and Caicos, many of the islanders criticized you for being paid as the face of the island's ad campaigns. Do you think they made an informed assessment?
LISARAYE: Yes, I was the face of the campaign, but I was also the ad director and worked long and hard on the ad. Was I compensated? Yes. But it was for the work I did to market and come up with an ad campaign and not what an actress or model would have been paid. I did my research; I picked up ads and photos from different magazines that promoted tourism for all the other Caribbean islands like Barbados, St. Marks, St. Croix and so on. I said, let's see what they are selling.

ESSENCE.COM: Your decision to speak to the Turks and Caicos press was denounced by the leader of the country's Progressive National Party and the women of Turks and Caicos who support the Premier. How did that make you feel?
LISARAYE: They support him, so I can't really be mad at that because it's a form of loyalty to their own kind. Were my feelings hurt? Absolutely. I couldn't help but think what world and what society are you trying to be a part of? We're not back in the slave days where you agree with everything your leader says. Considering his conduct and behavior, you have the nerve to fight a fight you don't have to fight. He has bigger fish to fry like allegations of governmental corruption. He's already lost his family and now he's fighting for his power and position.