Actress, singer, and entrepreneur Holly Robinson-Peete and her husband, former NFL quarterback Rodney Peete, offered a lively discussion covering their respective careers, the evolution of Black quarterbacks, and the enduring legacy of LeBron James.
Holly’s Theme Song Triumph
Before finding fame on screen, Holly Robinson-Peete’s true passion was music. She revealed that her role on the hit 80s show 21 Jump Street actually started as a means to an end.
“I wanted to be a singer before I wanted to become an actress,” she admitted. “And so when I got 21 Jump Street, I was just kind of auditioning to make money to make demos, right?”
That hustle paid off in an unexpected way when the opportunity arose to record the show’s theme song. “When I got the show and they said that they were going to do a theme song I was like, ‘Could I sing it?’ and like I begged for it and they said yes and that was it!”
A House Divided on Vocal Talent
When the topic of music turned to her husband, Rodney Peete, Holly didn’t hold back, much to Rodney’s theatrical protest.
“[laughing] Don’t lie baby! Don’t lie! Speak on it! Speak on it, mama!” Rodney interjected, urging her to tell the truth.
Holly’s truth was delivered with a laugh: “Rodney is the poster child for tone deafness! He cannot sing! When we first met I thought it was so cute on how he was so off-tone he was singing Jeffrey Osborne to me over the phone, but at the end of the day, the poor guy just cannot carry a tune!”
Rodney was quick to defend his secret talent: “[interjecting, laughing] In my mind Holly… I can sing in my mind!” To which Holly playfully replied, “Well… keep it in that mind, baby!”
The Evolution of the Black Quarterback
Rodney Peete, who played in the NFL during a time when Black quarterbacks were far less common, expressed a mix of awe and wistful humor about the current league landscape.
“Awwww man! All I can say is that I was born too soon! [laughing]… it’s incredible watching and seeing these young brothers get opportunities right out of college, you know?” he said.
He noted that now, drafting a Black athlete to play quarterback is a priority, not an afterthought. He credited the evolution of the position to players who preceded the current generation. “The game has changed because of things like how Michael Vick started to do more of, you know? Randall Cunningham did more of.”
Peete emphasized how athletic quarterbacks put immense pressure on defenses. As for who he enjoys watching today, he picked a standout star. “I love to watch Lamar Jackson and he’s going to have a big year this year, you know? And I’m excited for all of the brothas!”
Holly jumped in to mention her favorite, showing she follows the game closely. “Jalen Hurts! You know you got to put Philly in it! And it’s nice to see so many quarterbacks being Black and as Rodney said and the offenses being designed around their strengths as opposed to vice-versa. Don’t test me with football! [laughs]”
The Unstoppable LeBron James
Finally, the discussion shifted to the NBA, where the couple firmly planted their flag.
“Lakers and yes AND LeBron in Year 21! We’re all about it!” Holly proclaimed, showing her team loyalty.
Rodney, impressed by the forward’s longevity, offered an optimistic (and perhaps hyperbolic) prediction for the King’s career: “That man will play until 2035!”
A Case of Celebrity People-Watching
When asked if celebrities attract more people-watching attention than regular civilians, or if they are worse offenders themselves, Robinson-Peete offered a confession.
“I think that they’re not as bad but, I for one was people watching Beyonce’s the other night in Atlanta,” she admitted. “I was taking pictures and I would never post them but some of these outfits were just on ANOTHER level so I needed to document that.”
