Arting Around | The 90th Annual Hollywood Christmas Parade

The historic 90th Annual Hollywood Christmas Parade, Supporting the 75th Anniversary of Marine Toys For Tots took place on Sunday, November 27th, 2022. Erik Estrada, Laura McKenzie, Elizabeth Stanton, Montel Williams, and Dean Cain headlined as the hosts. This year’s Grand Marshall was Danny Trejo (actor, author, and restauranteur), leading the parade in a classic Rolls Royce. Holding a megaphone up to his mouth, the film star screamed out to the crowd with humor and holiday spirit as he waved to the thousands of fans lining Hollywood Boulevard. The 90th Hollywood Parade featured 90 Hollywood celebrities and VIPs, 13 pre-parade and parade performers, 12 award-winning bands from around the country, 10 larger-than-life character balloons, 4 colorful floats, and 39 movie cars.

Agenda was on the red-carpet interviewing celebrities before the beginning of the parade. (Photos taken by Sasaphotos (Sheryl Aronson & Sherman Alford)

Danny Trejo has been a film and television actor in Hollywood for over 30 years. The native-born Los Angeles star has appeared in a multitude of films such as Desperado, From Dusk Till Dawn (1,2, and 3), Con Air, and Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy. On the red carpet, Danny Trejo joked with me about his role as Grand Marshall of the Hollywood Christmas Parade.

Red Carpet Hollywood 90th Annual Christmas Parade, Sheryl Aronson interviews Danny Trejo.

Sheryl Aronson: You grew up in Los Angeles and began your career here. What does it mean to you to be the Grand Marshall of the parade?

Danny Trejo: I am so honored. I feel it’s like being Governor Newsom! (He laughs).

Sheryl Aronson: You’re so much a part of Hollywood, too. You’ve been in many movies.

Danny Trejo: I use to cruise these streets, to me it’s just a big cruise night as the Grand Marshall. (We both laugh.)

Sheryl Aronson: What do you want to say to everyone out there?

Danny Trejo: First of all, God bless everyone and God bless you, too, Uncle Scrooge. (Laughs) (He says, “Feliz Navidad y un Feliz Año Nuevo.”) Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, we got it going on. Love you all!

Sheryl Aronson interviews Montell Williams at the 90th Annual Hollywood Christmas Parade. — Sheryl Aronson interviews Montel Williams at the 90th Annual Hollywood Christmas Parade.

Montel Williams has been a television host, actor, and motivational speaker. Currently, he hosts Military Makeover: Operation Career on Lifetime. He has hosted the Hollywood Christmas Parade for many years and thoroughly enjoys his role.

Sheryl Aronson: The parade is celebrating its 90th year. What are your thoughts on this momentous occasion?

Montel Williams: Amazingly, it’s the 90th anniversary of the parade but it’s also the 75th anniversary for Toys For Tots. This is 75 years in a row that these organizations got together so a young child on Christmas morning wakes up and finds a gift under the tree. It’s important to remember that there are many people out there suffering, and giving back is critical. This is another reason I love the parade because the people that see it this year will give back next year.

Sheryl Aronson: You’ve been a big part of Hollywood for so many years, what does it mean to you to host the Hollywood Christmas Parade?

Montel Williams: It’s an opportunity to see Hollywood give back. The celebrities on the red carpet come out and donate their time to put a smile on peoples’ faces. Contrary to some opinions about Hollywood. Hollywood can still lead the way in America.

Sheryl Aronson: What have you been doing this year as a television personality?

Montel Williams: I do a show on Lifetime called Military Makeover: Operation Career. In Military Makeover we take deserving families and makeover their homes from the ground up, giving them a forever home. It’s been so rewarding. It’s one of my life’s pleasures.

Co-Host Laura McKenzie at the 90th Annual Hollywood Christmas Parade

Laura McKenzie is an author, writer, television producer, and co-host of the Hollywood Christmas Parade.

Sheryl Aronson: What does it mean to you to co-host the Hollywood Christmas Parade?

Laura McKenzie: The parade has been a tradition in my family since we used to bring folding chairs and watch it from the sidewalk. It’s the one community event that’s free to everyone and where you’re guaranteed to see celebrities, marching bands, giant balloons, and Santa! So, I’m not only proud but honored to host the parade for the 13th year.

The Cast of the Bob Abishola show — The Cast of the Bob Abishola Show

The cast of Bob Hearts Abishola (Shola Adewusi, Barry Shabaka Henley, Vernee Watson, and Travis Wolfe)

Sheryl Aronson: I love Nigerian culture. I’ve been there three times. Talk about what it means to have this television show that represents Nigerian culture.

Shola Adewusi: I think it’s wonderful for people to get a window into another culture. You hear so much about Nigeria, and with our show, you learn about the food and the interactions of Nigerian family and friends.

Sheryl Aronson: (talking to Travis Wolfe). You’re Abishola’s son. Your mother on the show gives you a hard time and is very strict with you.

Travis Wolfe: I get a lot of stuff from her on the show and off of the show. She gives me a lot of advice. LOL. Folake, who plays Abishola loves to mess with me a lot and I love her for that. It’s a true honor to be on this show.

Sheryl Aronson: (talking to Barry Shabaka Henley). Talk about your role on the show.

Barry Shabaka Henley: I play Abishola’s uncle and we have a wonderful time on the show. It’s a strong family-oriented show but it’s a different kind of family. It’s a family we’ve never seen before on television and I’m very happy to be a part of it.

Sheryl Aronson interviews the cast of the Bob Abishola show on the red carpet at the 90th Hollywood Christmas Parade

Sheryl Aronson: (talking to Vernee Watson). You play one of Abishola’s best friends as a nurse at the hospital. What has it been like for you to find out about Nigerian culture?

Vernee Watson: I didn’t know about the culture and I’m learning as we go along. I play the only African American on the show and African Americans have opinions about African people and our differences. We’re learning about those differences and similarities. All the characters on the show are very strong and have distinct personalities, plus the acting talent is amazing! Chuck Lorre, the producer knows what he’s doing!

Tachina Arnold (The Neighborhood) — Sheryl Aronson interviews Tichina Arnold at the 90th Annual Hollywood Christmas Parade

Tichina Arnold is an actress and singer, who plays Tina Butler in the CBS Sitcom, The Neighborhood opposite Cedric the Entertainer as Calvin Butler.

Sheryl Aronson: Please talk about Toys For Tots and being at the Hollywood Christmas Parade.

Tichina Arnold: We’re natives of California now, I’ve been here for over 20 plus years, originally from New York. Being in LA has been wonderful for me because I’ve had a lot of my career take place here. I love being a part of something that’s very positive and helping children.

Sheryl Aronson: How much fun is playing Tina Butler on The Neighborhood?

Tichina Arnold: To get up and go to work every day and laugh with my fellow actors is a blessing. I’m part of a wonderful cast; to be on CBS, and to play a role of a mother that I can thoroughly enjoy makes me excited.

Sheryl Aronson: How is it working with Cedric the Entertainer?

Tichina Arnold: Cedric the Entertainer is a beautiful person, a great boss, and a lovely human being. It’s a pleasure to work with him. I’ve worked with many different comedians, and I’d never worked with him, so I saw it as a perfect opportunity. Five years later, the show is still going strong.

Sheryl Aronson: And you’re very funny neighbors.

Tichina Arnold: Yes, Beth Behrs and Max Greenfield are so talented and funny. We’re one big family in the show and excited to be working with one another.

Sheryl Aronson: You’re a very good singer too.

Tichina Arnold: I sang before doing anything else professionally and my daughter and I are singing together tonight at the parade.

Wyn Stark appears at the 90th Annual Hollywood Christmas Parade

Wyn Starks is an upcoming soul & R&B vocalist who appeared on America’s Got Talent. He recently released his debut album Black is Golden and is touring in the United States. He was performing a Christmas song at the Hollywood Christmas Parade.

Sheryl Aronson: Wyn, talk about your newest project.

Wyn Starks: I’m Wyn Starks and I’m from Nashville, Tennesse. My newest project is called Black is Golden and I’m working on a new project right now.

Sheryl Aronson: I saw the video for the song, Black is Golden on Youtube and it was wonderful.

Wyn Starks: I wanted to give homage to other Black creators that came before me and paved the way for me to be a singer.

Sheryl Aronson: You’re singing tonight. What song will you be singing?

Wyn Starks: I’m singing one of my favorite holiday songs, “Deck the Halls.”

I’m excited!

Sheryl Aronson: Where are you touring?

Wyn Starks: Right now, I’m on tour. I recently performed in Atlanta and my next one will be in New York at ’54 Below. I’ll be back in LA on December 8th at The Hotel Café.

The 90th Annual Hollywood Christmas Parade, Supporting Marine Toys For Tots will premiere as a two-hour primetime special on The CW Network on Friday, December 16th, 2022 at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT.