Tag Archives: Free Marie Wright

Most of us remember the beautiful, Free Marie, from the music video show, “106th & Park,” right? I know I sure do…she was the only reason I even knew what “106th and Park” was in the early 2000’s. Free and her “106th” co-host, A.J. Calloway, brought a new down to earth edge to BET during that time, with their relatable personalities and flava. Then all of sudden, Free just up and quit and left many of her fans wondering where she’d disappeared to.

Anywho, that was then…this is now, and Free is still around doing her thing. She’s gone from hosting a TV show, to radio, to hosting many events, and lending her celeb’ status to various causes that empower the likes women, imprisoned minority men, healthcare issues such as breast cancer awareness, voting rights and more.

In the midst of Free doing her thing, she once took a second to drop a bombshell of a revelation on her fans, which flew right under the radar a while back…but we caught it. She disclosed that she has a very famous female cousin whom we all know…at least if we’re true Old School movie/TV show lovers, we do. Her talented cuz’ started in the ‘80s era and has continued to make a name for herself in film and television to this day. See who she is below…

WHO IS FREE’S FAMOUS CUZ’?

Bam!!! Free’s cousin is none other than former “Soul Food” (T.V. show) actress, Vanessa A. Williams…or as many of us were first introduced to her, ‘Ms. Rockabye baby!’ from the classic film, “New Jack City!” Who woulda thought it, right?!!

Free and Vanessa both confirmed this after Free posted the below message on Instagram about her cousin:

@missfreemarie: “Congratulations to my cuz @nessawilliams1 the newest cast member of #daysofourlives on @nbcdays @nbctv !!!! Catch that #blackgirlmagic ⚡️ #itworks #family #vanessawilliams #wait are u gonna do love scenes ? Im telling Aunt Carolyn LOVE YOU #Keisha #rockabyebaby”

And then she later had a brief convo’ with Vanessa in the comments section underneath her post…

Needless to say, fans were surprised and one even mentioned the obvious- that Free, now 54 years old;  and Vanessa, now 59, are both aging beautifully- a compliment that didn’t go unnoticed by Free. She thanked the commenter and attributed their ageless beauty to the strong genes in their fam’…

By the way, in case you didn’t catch that caption Free included in her IG post about her cousin (which has since been deleted), Vanessa’s latest gig is on the long running soap opera, “Days of Our Lives.” It’s always a beautiful thing to see an entertainer from back in the day, still being able to feed their fam,’ by doing what they love. Free and Vanessa keep doing what you do…we love it!

Remember A.J. Calloway from BET’s music video show, 106 & Park? He and Free were like the new Donnie Simpson and Sherry Carter of the early 2000’s. They were able to bring back a flava that had been missing ever since Video Soul and from 2000 to 2005, they held it down for BET in that arena.

If you remember that, then you also remember their tearful departure in 2005, when Free abruptly left the show and then phoned into the show live on air the next day to bid her goodbyes to A.J. and their fans. AJ cried on camera that day, as the audience watched in shock that their favorite hosts were no more. A.J. left when Free left as well.

AJ & Wife’s Third Addition To The Fam’

Fast forward to today and both former 106 & Park hosts have moved on to other things. Free moved on to becoming a radio personality and other ventures. AJ is now the NY Extra host and has won two Emmy awards (in 2014 and 2016) for killing it in that arena.

Aside from A.J.’s professional life, he’s expanded his personal life as well, marrying his longtime girlfriend, Dionne, in 2013 (his second marriage). Soon after marriage, they quickly began building their family. They had 2.5 kids up until very recently, with their daughters, Ava and Amy, and one on the way. But now a belated congratulations are in order for the Calloway’s after welcoming their third child, son Albert L. Calloway III, on March 28 (2017)!

AJ’s Extreme Concern…

After Albert III’s birth, AJ took to Instagram to express an all too real collage of emotions he was feeling at that time- extreme joy, gratitude…and also fear, anger, and sadness. See why in his IG message below…

https://www.instagram.com/p/BSSMeARDWQP/

https://www.instagram.com/p/BSZRKHMD-Mr/

As an African American man, I understand exactly why AJ feels the way he feels. It’s sad that there should be anything felt other than gratitude and joy after the birth of one’s child. But the reality is one that can’t be overlooked in todays society. Therefore it’s wise to do what AJ has done, and that is to stay in tune with it, as opposed to acting as if it doesn’t exist. I think that awareness can possibly make a life or death difference later on down the line- sad, but true. Much respect to AJ for bringing his brutally honest emotions to the forefront.