It’s amazing when you put your heart and soul into something that amounts to an experience like hosting Duets. When I got that call from my manager saying the executive team at ABC wanted me to host this show it felt like everything I did in my life- even the things I thought were failures- added up to this moment. Suddenly it all made sense- like my friend Common’s album title suggested “One Day It’ll All Make Sense” and that day has arrived.



When I stepped into my dressing room for the first time and found a basket of flowers along with an incredible note from the network- I knew I was in the company of a team that didn’t take anything for granted. After working in the biz for 12 years I can tell you that doesn’t happen a lot. Having worked with the Duets crew for over a month now, I’m happy to say that wasn’t a floral front. I’ve never worked with a group of people who were so thoughtful and so good at what they do. I loved hosting TRL on MTV but there’s something even more special happening here at Duets.



Stepping onto the set for the first time was an equally affirming experience. When I looked up at that stage and saw those four superstars rehearsing- I literally got goosebumps. The kind of goosebumps you get when you do something you’ll never forget. Even the last minute addition to the cast- John Legend- had a huge smile on his face that actually reminded me of the last time I saw a kid in a candy store. The vibe on this set has been on fire from Day 1. When it’s right it’s right. There’s no denying that feeling. Even our producer meetings are filled with the good vibes usually reserved for holidays.



The scene backstage before we did the premiere episode was electric. I found myself jumping up and down to deal with all the energy I had flowing through me. The cast huddled up in a spontaneous prayer circle and now I know what preachers say they experience when they refer to the holy ghost taking over. The words that flew out of my mouth were of sheer gratitude for the opportunity to do a show like this with these kind of people. Everything you’ll see on that screen couldn’t come from a more genuine place. Duets bursts with a love of music and a love of the moments it manifests that will fill you up like nothing else. It’s an honor to be your host for it all.