Comedian W. Kamau Bell can’t call his daughter’s affinity for Olivia Rodrigo’s discography “embarrassing,” because it just helped him win the Celebrity Jeopardy! tournament.
During the Wednesday, April 23, broadcast, Bell, 52, revealed that he prepared for the competition thanks to help from his 10-year-old daughter, Juno. (In addition to Juno, Bell and his wife, Melissa, share daughters Sami and Asha.)
“My 10-year-old daughter and I prepared in the car this morning,” he told host Ken Jennings between rounds. “She created a category that was exclusively Olivia Rodrigo questions. 100 percent [about her], and I nailed it.”
Sure enough, Juno’s lessons paid off because one of the “Double Jeopardy” questions was about Rodrigo, 22, and her 2021 breakout single, “Drivers License.” Bell, luckily, correctly named the tune that ultimately helped him walk away with the $1 million grand prize for charity.
Days later, Bell sent Rodrigo a special note to express his gratitude for her unexpected help.
“Dear @Olivia Rodrigo, my 10-year-old daughter, Juno, helped me prepare for Celebrity Jeopardy by creating an entire category based on YOU. Because of that, I knew a question on the show that was about your first single,” he wrote via TikTok on Saturday, April 26, sharing footage from the broadcast. “I took Juno to her first concert in your first tour, and she is so cool that she has both of your albums on vinyl.”
He added, “She even skips singing the curse words on ‘Vampire.’ Thanks to Juno caring so much about you, I was able to win $1,000,000 for a charity named @DonorsChoose that supports public school teachers and their students.”
Bell further noted that it “would make Juno’s world” if Rodrigo acknowledged his Jeopardy! shout-out, sent a greeting or “even drop a [heart emoji]” on his post.
Celebrity parents such as Kristin Cavallari and Sarah Michelle Gellar rose to stardom on television — and have since shared what their kids thought about the projects. Cavallari, who starred on MTV’s Laguna Beach and The Hills, opened up about how her three children, Camden, Jaxon and Saylor, discovered the shows. “Jay [Cutler] put it […]
“Thank you for your work and for inspiring my kid to be tough,” Bell concluded, noting that Juno has been a fan of the pop star since she got her start on Disney Channel’s Bizaardvark.
As of publication, Rodrigo has yet to respond to Bell’s message, though other famous faces were equally as excited as the comic and Juno.
“This is like a scene from Slum Dog Millionaire!!!! Ahhhhh incredible!!!!!” Bel Air actress Cassandra Freeman wrote via Instagram comment earlier this week. “Everything, and every moment in your life prepared you for Jeopardy! 🙌🏾. Ahhhh God is amazing!!”
Another follower added, “Everything about this is so heartwarming. Then finding out that you donated the winning money to teachers? Kamau, you are a treasure. Great job raising your dad, Juno!”
