Just one look at the sexy cast of VH1’s returning hit drama, Hit the Floor, about the scandalous lives of professional ballers and their dance squad, and we were instantly smitten with its stars. We quizzed hunky leading men McKinley Freeman (left) and Rob Riley on everything from female fan craze to what to expect in season two (premiering Monday May 26th at 9 p.m. EST on Vh1) Read our interviews and find out what made us fall for these cuties!
Riley returns as Devil’s baller Terrence Wall. He acts just like you would expect any star player to and we love it. “I have quite a bit in common with my character,” he admits. “He’s very romantic, he’s a gentlemen, intelligent, has his eye on the prize and he is past all the things that don’t really matter in life.”
“Terrence has a lot to deal with,” says Riley. “Long term relationships never have clean breaks so we’ll see how that wraps up. He’s still chasing a championship and getting closer every episode, but will he get it?”
“I’d have to say the funniest fan moment thus far was when a 65-year-old man on the street recognized me with a hat and sunglasses on and said, ‘Hey man, love you on the show. So what’s up? Are you gonna get traded?'”
Riley has no problem making fans happy! “It’s fun to put smiles on people’s faces,” he says. “Ladies or otherwise.”
“I feel my sexiest right after I’ve left the gym or the barbershop,” says Riley. “Nothing like a fresh cut or a great workout.”
“Starring on the show thus far I have enjoyed giving my family members and friends something to be extremely proud of,” says Riley. “And, making a great piece of entertainment with some awesome people is also what I’ve enjoyed most. The shows success is a true testament to all our hard work.”
“Bringing my mother to set last year and having her watch us create the season one finale was and is my favorite onset memory,” Riley reveals.
Riley says hearing or making great music makes him happy, plus, “taking great photos, and bacon too!” Ha! We love it!
“I’m an avid photographer,” says Riley. “I play guitar and write poetry and hangout with my dog.”
Riley tells us that he makes a point of staying in shape, and it shows! “Your workout is my warmup,” he teases.
We know acting is Riley’s passion, but judging from the look of this photos, he could easily be modeling full-time too.
“My family’s Trinidadian, I’m first generation born, and I can cook,” says Rob. “I can cook across the board; it doesn’t matter what meal it is or what it is you want me to cook. I know my way around the kitchen quite well.”
Can we just pause for a moment to drool over the wonder that is Riley shirtless, please? Sigh… now that’s heavenly!
“I played football for eight years until my freshmen year of college at Lehigh University,” Riley tells us. We’re sure it helped him get into the team spirit on set.
“I stay grounded because I never want to embarrass my mom,” says Riley. He adopted a rescue dog named Joy, which also happens to be his mother’s name.
“There’s a lot to life so you minus well go out and live it,” says Riley. “I’m the dude who makes pancakes, eggs and bacon and puts it in the shape of a smiley face in the morning.”
We could watch Riley pump iron in the gym any time!
Freeman plays Derek Roman, one of the ringleader and star basketball players of the L.A. Devils. He’s mischievous, handsome and oh-so-sexy.
So what can we expect from McKinley’s character this season? “I’d say some of the same, and something new to take in as well,” he tells us. “It’s like anything else in life, we are who we are, even as we work daily to discover who we will become…that sounds like a line from a kung-fu movie. Ha!”
“Life makes me happy,” says McKinley. “Sounds crazy, but it’s true. I thank God every morning I wake up and open my eyes. My family makes me happy and I’ve been blessed to have great friends. Having the chance to make a difference in someone else’s life is another thing that I really enjoy.”
Freeman’s no stranger to the screen. He recently co-starred in the feature film End of Watch with Jake Gyllenhaal and has guest starred on television in CSI, NCIS, ER and General Hospital, as well as recurring roles on Days of Our Lives and NBC’s Samantha Who with Christina Applegate.
So, what’s it like being recognized by female fans everywhere you go? “Ha, it’s cool,” McKinley shares. “It will still take some getting used to, but I’m grateful for the amazing fans of the show and the support they give us whether the shows is on air or between seasons.”
“I’ve enjoyed the opportunity to create a character that started with words on paper that people feel they can touch and relate to,” says McKinley. “To me, that’s the greatest thing. I’ve been given a blank canvas to create something and I love doing it.”
“I’d say I feel at my sexiest when I’m comfortable,” says McKinley. “Fancy suits and nice shoes are great, but if I’m not comfortable, they kind of defeat the purpose. I’m comfortable without clothes so the clothes have to be comfortable enough for me to put them on.”
“I always remember where I came from,” says Freeman. “I recently fixed my grandfather’s leaf blower. I still do yard work.”
“People would be surprised to know that I have an MBA and went to business school full time for two years and graduated with honors,” brags a very studious Freeman. “When you’re an actor, people don’t really know the life you had before.”
What does McKinley do what his down time? “I don’t really look at it as time off,” he admits. “It’s more like a shift in focus. I go back to writing and creating, which I love to do. I look forward to traveling a little bit this summer…maybe Versailles or somewhere I haven’t been.”
“I’m mostly the kind of guy who appreciates my private moments and my me time,” says Freeman.
Single guy Freeman hails from Champagne, Illinois. He attended the University of Illinois. While living in Atlanta and working for IBM a friend convinced him to join him at a casting call for the soap opera All My Children’s search for the Sexiest Men in America. To his surprise, he made the final five and the experience caused him to rethink his career direction. It was a smart choice.
“I try to do a little bit of everything,” admits Freeman. “I play piano by ear, and I’m finally trying to take lessons.”
“I like to do traditional boxing,” Freeman shares. “I’ve studied martial arts, and I call myself a mad scientist who’s willing to try anything to get into better shape or challenge myself.”
“I feel like life is so precious and the time that we have is so present so why not make the most of it?” Freeman asks. We agree and we could spend a lifetime looking into those eyes.
Freeman has mastered smooth posing and we love each and every shot he takes!
Freeman continues to play basketball, but practices a wide range of methods to stay in shape. He’s fully committed to a strong cardio and gym routine.
