Jay Laga’aia broke his silence upon being removed from Play School in 2014 after 16 years on the hit children’s show.
The New Zealand-born actor and singer, 60, appeared on Jess Rowe’s Big Talk Show and revealed how he really felt upon receiving the axe.
Even though his departure seemed amicable, Jay said the worst part about leaving the series he “loved so much” was that his colleagues never contacted him afterwards.
“The people who make the show are incredible creators because if you look at it from the outside, you look like an idiot dancing like a chicken,” he began telling host Jess Rowe.
‘But in the room they keep you safe while you create this world for our children… and for me I felt sad because, not only did they not call you, but they never mentioned you again.’
Jay Laga’aia, 60 (pictured), has broken his silence about his ouster from Play School in 2014, after 16 years on the hit children’s show.
He continued: “They had their celebrations and stuff, and as probably the only Polynesian who’s worked on the show, you were like, ‘Well, what did I do wrong to not get called in?'”
Jay has had a brilliant career in entertainment following his successful role in Play School from 2000 to 2014.
He has starred in several television shows such as Water Rats and Home and Away.
The New Zealand-born actor appeared on The Jess Rowe Big Talk Show and revealed how it really felt to be fired from Play School.
Jay has even tried his hand at Hollywood, appearing in Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones and Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith in the 2000s.
He also dipped his toe into reality TV by appearing on I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here! in 2017, during which time she turned her quiet personality around.
During her time on the series, she criticized her campmates for acting like children during an explosive rant when they were late doing their chores after dinner.
Although his exit seemed amicable, Jay told host Jess Rowe (right) that the worst part about leaving the series he “loved” so much was that his colleagues never contacted him afterwards.
Jay also hosted his own children’s show, Jay’s Jungle, which began in 2015 and ran until 2018.
Recently, he landed a role in Grease the Musical as radio show host Vincent ‘Vince’ Fontaine.
The character was originally played by the late Edd Byrnes in the iconic 1978 film and acted as a minor antagonist who judged the dance at Rydell High School.
Jay is now scheduled to appear as Dr. Keller in Shadow Wars, a film in the Star Wars franchise, which is currently in post-production.