Visiting stars show Osan 'some love and support'

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Benjamin Rojek
  • 51st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
OSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea --  It was a packed house Friday night as Team Osan members laughed with Wilmer Valderrama and sang along with Frankie J. 

Invited by the United Services Organization earlier this year to sign autographs and talk to servicemembers in Germany, Valderrama knew he wanted to do more. 

"I said, wait, if I'm going to come out there, my fans and everybody who's out there would expect me to do something a little bigger than that," he said. "I decided to convince them into letting me bring the stage show." 

That show is a live version of MTV's Yo' Momma, of which Valderrama's the host. A competition combining comedic delivery with hip-hop sensibilities, the show allows contestants to use their wits in a battle of words. 

After his tour through Germany, the USO invited the That 70's Show alumnus to once again entertain servicemembers overseas. 

"They sent me a map and said, 'Where do you want to go?'" said Valderrama. "We had a couple of ideas and they suggested Korea, and honestly that felt right." 

But Valderrama didn't just bring his television show to Osan. He also invited friend and R&B singer Frankie J. to perform a set. The platinum-selling singer of such hits as Obsession had never performed on a USO tour before. 

"[Valderrama] actually sent me a DVD of what he did prior, on the last trip he took to Germany, and I was very moved by it," said Frankie J. "So I wanted to attend and also show some love and support." 

Osan showed its support by filling up the Challenger Club here for the three-hour show. 

"I've seen the show on MTV, but this was even better," said Staff Sgt. Terrell Taylor, 51st Communications Squadron. "It was cool that they came out and did all this." 

Frankie J. said he was glad he took the invitation. 

"You definitely have to just come and do it for the love of music, do it for the love of caring for the troops, for the people that have been supporting you doing the hard work that they do," he said. "That's why I'm here."

Click here for video from AFN-Korea.