Celebrity Interviews

In this inspiring episode of the Neil Haley Show, host Neil Haley and co-host Greg Hanna sit down with Cedella Marley, daughter of reggae legend Bob Marley, to discuss the groundbreaking immersive show "Bob Marley: Hope Road" now playing in Las Vegas. Cedella opens up about the creative vision behind this first-of-its-kind production that combines live performances, storytelling, and multi-sensory elements to transport audiences into her father's world. She explains how the show goes far beyond a typical tribute concert, creating an interactive journey through Bob Marley's music, message, and enduring cultural impact. Cedella shares the importance of having her father's grandchildren, Shasta and Zuri, audition and earn their roles as DJs in the production, demonstrating the family's commitment to merit over nepotism and ensuring the next generation understands that success must be earned.

Throughout the conversation, Cedella reflects on why Bob Marley's music continues to resonate with audiences across all ages and backgrounds fifty years later. She discusses the universal themes of love, unity, hope, peace, and revolution that make her father's work timeless, noting how songs like "Nations Were Against Nation" speak directly to today's global challenges. Cedella emphasizes that her father's authenticity—singing only about experiences he lived through—is what gives his music its power to connect with people worldwide. She shares her personal philosophy that hope is the most important thing she's learned in life, especially as the world faces disasters and challenges. With over a thousand five-star reviews already, "Bob Marley: Hope Road" is touching audiences through joy, movement, and connection, featuring remarkable remixes by Salaam that make classic songs sound as fresh as if they were recorded today.

The stars of NBC's One Chicago franchise—Jesse Schramm from Chicago Med, Hanako Greensmith from Chicago Fire, and LaRoyce Hawkins from Chicago PD—join host Neil Haley for an exciting roundtable discussion as the interconnected series returns for another season premiering October 1st at 8 PM Eastern. The trio reveals what fans can expect from their respective shows, with Schramm discussing her character Dr. Hannah Asher's pregnancy storyline and ongoing recovery from addiction, Greensmith teasing Violet's increased responsibilities following a romance gone sour, and Hawkins exploring Atwater's loneliness in his personal life while serving as the invisible bridge his unit depends on after being disbanded at the end of last season.

In this engaging conversation, the actors share insights into their characters' development and the challenges facing their teams this season. Schramm describes Chicago Med's dramatic opening with a collapsed dance floor flooding the hospital with patients while doctors simultaneously deal with personal health diagnoses. Greensmith highlights Chicago Fire's nail-biting incidents and phenomenal special effects while navigating new challenges and responsibilities. Hawkins explains how Chicago PD is digging deeper into who the characters are and where they're from, using their roots to motivate stories while the writing room breaks traditional formulas. All three actors express excitement about what they believe will be their best seasons yet, promising fans compelling drama, character growth, and the high-stakes action One Chicago is known for.

Retired NASA astronaut and Air Force Colonel Terry Virts joins The Neil Haley Show to discuss his unprecedented journey from commanding the International Space Station to launching a Democratic campaign for U.S. Senate in Texas. Virts shares compelling stories from his time in space, including the surreal experience of watching Russian forces attack Ukraine from orbit while serving as commander alongside Russian cosmonauts, demonstrating the ultimate test of bipartisanship. The former F-16 combat pilot explains how his teenage experience as an exchange student in Finland near the Soviet border shaped his commitment to defending democracy, and why he believes recent political developments have pushed America toward flirting with the same authoritarianism he once opposed.

In this candid conversation, Virts outlines his vision for representing all Texans regardless of political affiliation, focusing on middle-class issues with healthcare reform as his top priority. He discusses the need to increase the supply of doctors by expanding residency programs, provide free preventative care including vaccines and cancer screenings, and address the impending loss of Affordable Care Act subsidies affecting millions of working-class Texans. Virts also reveals why he fired his Washington D.C. consultants who advised him never to mention Donald Trump by name, explains his strategy of traveling the state for in-person town halls and appearing on both Fox News and Newsmax, and shares his belief that Texas isn't as Republican as people think—it's mostly non-voting, making voter turnout the key to Democratic success in a state that hasn't elected a Democrat statewide in over 30 years.

Mary Amons, formerly of The Real Housewives of DC, opens up about her experience on the short-lived but infamous Bravo series that was canceled after just one season following the Salahi White House crash scandal. Amons reveals that none of the cast knew the Salahis were planning to crash the White House state dinner, though producers were suspicious enough to break the fourth wall and film them asking for the invitation. She shares behind-the-scenes insights about working with production, including her hands-on involvement in setting up scenes and camera work, which stemmed from her genuine interest in the filmmaking process. Fifteen years later, Amons reflects on how different the reality TV landscape was in 2010, when social media wasn't the powerful platform it is today and Bravo offered no structured support to help cast members leverage their exposure after the show's abrupt cancellation.

The conversation takes a personal turn as Amons discusses navigating divorce while raising five children, acknowledging the trauma her reality TV experience caused them—something she learned about in their therapy sessions. She explains why she wasn't ready to capitalize on the opportunities that briefly appeared after the show, admitting she needed time for professional and personal growth. Now, with her children grown and supportive, Amons is focused on her thriving design business and an exciting new partnership with Baker Furniture, where she'll be speaking about timeless design at the Washington Design Center. She's finally ready to launch the lifestyle brand she's envisioned for years, drawing on her classic, Ralph Lauren-inspired aesthetic. With a recent full-page article in Us Weekly marking the show's 15th anniversary bringing renewed attention, Amons discusses the challenges of organizing a reunion with cast members scattered across the globe and her commitment to maintaining a "kinder, gentler" approach to reality television that prioritizes family and authentic connection over drama.

In this heartfelt interview, Lindsay Wagner celebrates the 50th anniversary of The Bionic Woman by sharing the remarkable origin story of how she almost turned down the role that would define her career. Wagner reveals that she initially dismissed the "crazy script" about people jumping off buildings until her mother convinced her to accept the role as a birthday gift for her younger sister, who was a devoted fan of The Six Million Dollar Man. What was meant to be a single episode where Jamie Summers would die turned into a cultural phenomenon after an overwhelming public outcry, including letters from children's hospitals, demanded the character's return. The subsequent episodes brought Jamie back through cryogenic preservation and eventually launched a groundbreaking series that would change television history.

Wagner discusses her collaborative creative process with producer Kenny Johnson, revealing how they worked scene-by-scene to ensure Jamie Summers embodied both strength and sensitivity rather than becoming just "a man in a skirt." She explains how the show's mandate to include three or four bionic moments per episode led to innovative storytelling that balanced action with humor and humanity, from cleaning kitchens at super-speed to addressing real-life challenges faced by women. Wagner also reflects on winning an Emmy for Best Actress in a Dramatic Series—not for being an action hero, but for the dramatic depth she brought to the role. The interview touches on modern bionic technology, concerns about losing human connection in an increasingly mechanical world, and the serendipitous timing that led to the series premiere airing on her sister's birthday, making this 50th anniversary celebration even more meaningful for the entire family.

Real Housewives of Dallas stars Kameron Westcott and Kary Brittingham join the Neil Haley Show to discuss their new podcast "Cam and Kary Do Dallas" and their journeys on reality television. Kameron explains how fellow housewife Cary Deuber put her name in the pile for casting after years of volunteering full-time in Dallas charity work, and how she decided to document her journey creating Sparkle Dog Food on television to take her brand to the next level. Kary reveals a similar path, with Cary Deuber wanting her on the show since the beginning, but waiting until season four felt right. Her motivation was clear: financial independence. After four and a half years running her jewelry line Camo by Kary while on a budget and allowance from her husband, she wanted to make her own money and take her business to new heights. Both women candidly discuss the fear and uncertainty of joining reality TV, especially being "unfiltered" and not knowing what would come out of their mouths on camera.

The duo dives deep into their podcasting venture, explaining how their frequent phone conversations and complementary energies—Kameron bringing thoughtfulness while Kary brings unfiltered boldness—made launching a podcast the natural next step. They reveal their unique approach of not discussing topics beforehand to capture authentic, natural reactions, and their mission to differentiate themselves by bringing on other Housewives to discuss their entrepreneurial journeys and empower women. Kameron and Kary discuss the unexpected challenges of podcast production, from selecting compelling topics that will interest the majority of listeners to editing hours of rambling content down to 40 entertaining minutes. They emphasize their goal of helping viewers understand the real them beyond the small glimpses shown on the show, and their passion for encouraging women to support each other instead of sabotaging one another—a lesson Kameron sees even among her 13-year-old daughter's peers. The podcast launches January 13th on all major platforms, with new episodes dropping every Wednesday.

Twilight Saga star Kiowa Gordon joins Caregiver Dave on the Neil Haley Show for an extraordinary conversation about his unexpected journey into Hollywood. Kiowa shares the remarkable origin story that sounds almost too good to be true: at 18, his Sunday school teacher Stephanie Meyer (author of Twilight) told him about an open casting call for her next movie, Twilight: New Moon, suggesting he audition to play a werewolf. As a self-described "slacker in high school," Kiowa didn't take it seriously until his mom came into his room a month after the audition to tell him he'd landed the role of Embry Call. He discusses the surreal experience of "wolf camp" where the production put the actors through training to pack on muscle, gaining 10 pounds between getting cast and filming, and reveals they never even made him take his shirt off at the audition—they just assumed he'd look fine under it.

Kiowa reflects on the wild fan phenomenon that followed, from receiving fan mail asking for autographs to traveling the country for Twilight conventions where hundreds of fans would show up for hours of meet-and-greets. He describes the "vampire balls" where fans dressed up like they were at prom, and how he and fellow wolf pack members would surprise fans camping out overnight at premieres by playing acoustic guitar and singing songs. Now at 30 and in the best shape of his life, Kiowa discusses his current projects including the CW's Roswell reboot, where he plays a military family member hunting aliens alongside his brother character, and the Netflix World War II miniseries The Liberator. Shot entirely on blue screen to create a graphic novel aesthetic, The Liberator tells the story of Lieutenant Felix Sparks and his company of American and Mexican-American misfits fighting Nazis across Europe. Kiowa also opens up about fatherhood to his six-year-old daughter and witnessing his mother's caregiving journey through family illness and loss.

NBC's Good Girls stars Retta and Mae Whitman join the Neil Haley Show to discuss their dramedy about three suburban mothers who turn to crime to solve their financial problems. Retta explains her character Ruby Hill, a happily married mother of two whose sick child drives her to join her friends in a desperate grocery store robbery, while Mae describes playing Annie Marks, a young mother fighting for custody of her daughter after having her at 16 or 17. Both actresses emphasize the show's unique approach to the antihero concept, presenting complicated women making desperate choices with genuinely good intentions. Mae highlights how the show masterfully blends multiple genres—starting as a grounded family drama before sweeping viewers into a thrilling world of crime, all while maintaining a comedic tone that makes the entire experience both tense and entertaining.

The conversation explores why audiences root for these characters despite their criminal actions, with Retta noting the classic antihero formula of doing bad things for good reasons. Mae passionately discusses the importance of seeing unapologetic female antiheroes on television, characters who are complicated, make mistakes, and face consequences while still having good hearts. She contrasts this with the abundance of male antiheroes on TV who rarely face the same scrutiny. Both actresses explain how the show's realism—from robbing a grocery store instead of a major bank to the fact that Annie works there and knows it gets robbed regularly—makes the premise believable and relatable. They invite viewers to tune in Mondays at 10 p.m. Eastern on NBC to follow these women's journey and see where their desperate choices lead them.

Hip-hop pioneer Eric B joins the Neil Haley Show to share the incredible story of how he and Rakim revolutionized rap music in the 1980s. From working at radio station WBLS in New York to assembling a compilation of talented MCs from across the Tri-State area, Eric explains how a chance meeting at a dance in Long Island led to one of hip-hop's most legendary partnerships. He recounts their groundbreaking deals, including being the first rap group to receive a million-dollar album advance and three million dollars for publishing, and shares the dramatic story of turning down Russell Simmons' advice to accept $400,000 from Island Records when MCA offered double at 2 a.m. in a New York nightclub. Eric also discusses their historic world tours, from taking the Concorde to play London and New York on the same day to performing in Helsinki, Finland, where young white audiences showed that music transcends all boundaries.

Beyond his music career, Eric B reveals his diverse ventures into boxing management, working with champions like Floyd Mayweather and Riddick Bowe, and his time at All-American Communications learning television and film production. He emphasizes his business acumen, describing how he reads P&L statements "in his sleep" and contracts "for fun," which enabled him to set industry benchmarks that changed hip-hop forever. Eric announces the highly anticipated Eric B and Rakim reunion tour starting April 8th in Boston, describing it as a family celebration where they'll take their kids, friends, and fans who've always wanted to experience tour life. He reflects on the longevity of their legacy, the support from younger artists like Nas, and how he became the "bad guy" among his peers for demanding fair compensation, inadvertently raising the bar for all rappers entering the business.

Actress Michele Greene takes listeners behind the scenes of the beloved legal drama LA Law, where she portrayed attorney Abby Perkins from 1986 to 1991, earning an Emmy nomination in 1989. Greene shares the remarkable story of landing the role at just 24 years old without even auditioning—creator Steven Bochco simply called and offered her the part after working with her on Bay City Blues, his short-lived baseball series. She reveals she had to choose between LA Law and a role opposite Andy Griffith, ultimately making the decision that would define her career. Greene provides intimate character analysis of Abby Perkins, describing her as a nice girl from Ohio trying to balance demanding career ambitions with traditional roles as wife and mother, distinguishing her from other characters who always had snappy comebacks and perfect responses.

The interview explores Greene's current life as a published novelist with two books released through Simon & Schuster and Harper Collins, both young adult novels that have been in development for television and film. She discusses her five-year hiatus from acting to focus on raising her adopted son as a single parent, her work as artistic director of an emerging theater, and her extensive theater performances at the LA Shakespeare Center. Greene opens up about her caregiving responsibilities for her 91-year-old mother who lives in an assisted living community and her experience serving as guardian for two elderly cousins who passed away in 2018. She enthusiastically promotes the upcoming LA Law reunion event at the LAX Westin on February 2nd and 3rd, describing the emotional experience of the entire cast reuniting on "The Talk" in September—the first time they'd all been together since the show ended.