During Tuesday night’s episode of The Project, host Waleed Aly sat down—via video link—with rap legend and actor Ice-T to discuss the star’s upcoming zombie thriller Zombie Plane, currently in production on Australia’s Gold Coast. What began as a routine promotional segment quickly turned into an unexpected comedy moment when Ice-T delivered a brutal yet hilarious roast of Aly’s question about rapper monikers.
“What Is It with Rappers and Ice?”
Aly, 46, launched into a playful line of questioning after Ice-T revealed his family’s role in convincing him to join the film. Seeking to lighten the mood, Aly asked, “What is it with rappers and ice? There’s Ice-T, Ice Cube, Vanilla Ice… why?” Ice-T—born Tracy Lauren Marrow—paused for effect before cutting to the chase: “Everybody wants to be cool… Being Ice is the epitome of cool. I’m Ice capital T. My name starts with a T… I was named after Iceberg Slim. My friends call me Iceberg. They call me Berg.”
Ice-T’s “Square” Comeback
Co-host Sam Taunton couldn’t resist following up: “Is that the kind of question only a square would ask?” Without missing a beat, the 67-year-old icon delivered the knockout line: “Yeah. I would say that. That’s kind of a question you get from a real life square.” The panel erupted in laughter as Aly, momentarily flustered, broke into a sheepish grin. Fellow panellists Georgie Tunny and Kate Langbroek were reduced to tears at Ice-T’s deadpan delivery, and Taunton confessed he was “dying” with laughter.
Behind the Banter: Zombie Plane and Ice-T’s Role
Beyond the on-air comedy, Ice-T’s visit to The Project highlighted his role alongside Chuck Norris, Vanilla Ice and Sophie Monk in the high-concept action horror film. In Zombie Plane, Ice-T plays a no-nonsense general who is abruptly summoned from a luxury yacht holiday to confront a sky-bound zombie outbreak. “I’m the guy they call about this plane,” Ice-T teased, vowing to “blow that plane right out of the sky” if the zombie crisis isn’t contained.
Aly’s Quick Recovery and Audience Response
Despite the momentary embarrassment, Aly—known for his quick wit and composure—recovered gracefully, steering the segment back to the film. Viewers took to social media to applaud both Aly’s professionalism and Ice-T’s sharp humor, with many dubbing the exchange one of The Project’s funniest interview bits in recent memory.
Significance for The Project and Talent Interviews
The viral roasting underscores The Project’s balance of serious journalism and light-hearted entertainment. Aly’s ability to handle on-air curveballs—whether political debates or entertainment interviews—reinforces his reputation as one of Australian television’s most versatile hosts. For Ice-T, the moment added another showcase of his larger-than-life personality, reminding audiences why he remains a cultural force more than four decades into his career.
What’s Next for Ice-T and Zombie Plane
Zombie Plane continues filming through June on the Gold Coast, with cast and crew set to navigate at least one more hurdle: keeping production secrets under wraps. Meanwhile, fans can revisit Ice-T’s unforgettable The Project appearance on Network Ten’s streaming platform and anticipate further cast interviews leading up to the film’s release later this year.
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