Free and AJ, the hosts of the popular BET show “106 & Park,” left the show to pursue other opportunities.
Initially, Free (born Marie Antoinette Wright) and AJ Calloway were the original hosts of “106 & Park,” which premiered on September 11, 2000. They quickly became popular figures on the network, helping to establish the show as a leading music video countdown show and a platform for a wide array of artists in hip-hop, R&B, and pop music.
After several successful years, both hosts decided to leave the show to explore new ventures. Free left first in 2005 to focus on her personal life and other interests, which included radio hosting and music. She went on to host a radio show on 100.3 The Beat in Los Angeles and has made various television appearances since then.
AJ Calloway left shortly after Free, in 2005, and he went on to become a correspondent for the entertainment news program “Extra.” His role on “Extra” allowed him to continue interviewing celebrities and reporting on entertainment news until his departure from the show in 2019.
The departure of Free and AJ marked the end of an era for “106 & Park,” but the show continued with new hosts until its final airing on December 19, 2014. Both Free and AJ have left lasting legacies in the world of music television and have continued to work in the entertainment industry following their time on “106 & Park.”
