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Debra Roberts
Hi there, everybody, and welcome to 20 20, the After Show. I'm Debra Roberts, and typically I am talking about 2020 and true crime in our latest episode. But some of you may know that I have written a new book that has just come out called Sisters Loved and Stories of Unbreakable Bonds. And the book was sort of based on my own experience with sisters. I grew up in a house full of sisters, six sisters. We have lost two of them over the years, but four sisters who are still very a part of my life. So I thought it might be fun to turn the tables. And they are here with me in New York today. So I want to introduce you to my sisters, Janet, Bonita, Tina, and Belinda. And they have been hanging out with me this week. So we thought maybe since I'm always asking the questions, we might turn the tables and let you all ask the questions. I don't know if I'm ready for this, but we like it.
Coach Glo
Yeah.
Debra Roberts
Yeah. But one of the beautiful things in doing this book was that we actually did put a lot of things on the table and just talked about our lives and growing up and our perceptions of each other and what we felt as children and what we feel as adults. And it was really just a lot of fun, I think, in connecting us together. And one of the things that makes me so proud is not only do I have my sisters, but I've got a couple of warriors in the bunch. Janet, who is a breast cancer survivor, and thriver Tina, who's dealing with her own battle at the moment, but survivor surviving and thriving at this moment. So I got a couple warriors in the pack and then two other, like, loyal, dedicated, fierce sisters. So, Janet, take it away.
Janet
Yeah. Well, one thing that I wanted to ask you is have you always wanted to be in the new the media, the news area? And when did you know that that was what you wanted to do? Did you ever feel like you wanted to do something else other than a.
Debra Roberts
Correspondent you know, it's interesting because people ask me that, and I think it's always what I wanted to do. One of our cousins, Deborah, said she remembered me always watching the evening news with Walter Cronkite. Everybody else was running around, doing things, getting into whatever. And at the end of the day, I was watching the evening news, and I remember being sort of mesmerized by the reporters, seeing the changing face of news. And, you know, black reporters, female reporters, Connie Chung, Lim Tucker. And I just thought it was so interesting. And when I was in high school, I was very interested in sort of performance, like television being in front of camera. And so I thought maybe it was acting. But then I went off to college, and when I really got a chance to be introduced to journalism, I thought, that's what I want, TV journalism. So you, Janet, watched 2020 all the.
Janet
Time, an avid 2020 watcher. And it was interesting because you were always that kind of person that would ask people questions. And I said, I can just see you sitting there with the cards on your lap and interviewing somebody.
Debra Roberts
It is weird because people would come to the house and I would ask all kinds of questions, wouldn't I?
Janet
You would.
Bonita
And can I say also that I remember you used to be in the mirror.
Sponsor Voice
I.
Bonita
Don't you remember when you.
Janet
No.
Bonita
Yes. You'd be doing your own report in the mirror.
Debra Roberts
In the bathroom. This is Deborah Roberts.
Bonita
Yeah, yeah, yeah, whatever.
Debra Roberts
With my brush or whatever.
Bonita
Yeah, with your brush. And Junior, our brother, used to just.
Debra Roberts
He used to.
Bonita
To rag you about it all the time.
Coach Glo
Funny.
Bonita
Oh, dad, what are you doing again? You're doing your show again, but. Yes.
Debra Roberts
Oh, my gosh.
Bonita
Do you remember that she used to be in the car.
Debra Roberts
I don't remember that. I did my show in front of the mirror.
Bonita
Yes, you did. You were always doing your own show.
Debra Roberts
That's so. I guess I was destined. I guess it was destined. So I didn't have any other particular talents. You all sing. I don't sing. And mom used to say, well, you know, you speak very well, so it's okay.
Janet
Your talents fly elsewhere.
Debra Roberts
Exactly. My talents were elsewhere. Who's next? Can you talk about one time when you were very nervous before one of your interviews? Oh, my gosh, I'm nervous all the time. I'm nervous right now. I would say people think that we are so comfortable doing what we do, and for the most part, I am comfortable because I've learned to do it. But I still get very nervous, especially if it's an important interview. I mean, I've had an opportunity to interview Michelle Obama over the years. I interviewed Jill Biden before they left the White House. I was really nervous about making sure I asked the questions just right. Or celebrities, you know, if I've interviewed, you know, actors and actresses, I get nervous because I want to make sure I come across well. I ask good questions. But even just day to day, particularly if there's a timeline when I go into prisons, because true crime for 2020, I go to interview people, and that's serious business because you are behind bars. Oftentimes, they will talk about the SWAT team that they have set aside just in case something happens. So I'm nervous about that and just wanting to make sure. I mean, in New Jersey, I had to go do an interview once, and I really was very nervous because we were going in this one area, this sort of not holding area, but it was a contained area where all the inmates were housed. And they could see us and they said, don't worry, we've got a SWAT team ready. But you surrender your phone and your ID and all of that when you come into the prison and, you know, in the back of your mind, and I do, as a journalist, something could happen. And so I get a little nervous and I'm happy when it's over and we did it and there's a good job done and so forth. So I get nervous a lot, but I think it brings me good energy. The nerves sort of propel me to think on my feet and to.
Bonita
But I was about to say, you don't show it.
Debra Roberts
No. You have no idea how many times I'm churning outside.
Bonita
Yeah, you come across naturally.
Debra Roberts
Yeah, I think that's the trick, trying to mask that so people don't know. When I'm doing live television, you know, occasionally I fill in on Good Morning America and I'm like, totally nervous before. You don't want to say the wrong thing. You don't want to, you know, blow it and so forth. So I'm nervous on a regular basis, but I think I've learned how to deal with that and to use it sometimes to help me do a better job, maybe. Who's next? When we were children, this was always the case. Benita was always like, is it my.
Janet
Turn in my mind that it was.
Debra Roberts
Female for some reason? So I'm like, what I love is that our roles remain the same. I mean, you know, we still make jokes and laugh about little things and.
Janet
Little quirks that we have same roles. Okay.
Debra Roberts
So I want to know if you have A particular story that you worked on, you know, over the years.
Janet
I know there have been many, but that you were particularly proud of.
Debra Roberts
Oh, wow. Well, I have a lot, and I think it changes all the time because I continue to do stories that now and again touch me. But I still think about the story that I did. I was on maternity leave, and I got a call from one of the senior producers and said, there is this story about this African woman who lives in America, Ethiopian American woman, but she wants to go back to Africa to find her roots. She was given up as a child because she was injured and her parents couldn't care for her, and she was raised elsewhere and made her way to the United States. But she wants to go back, and it's this journey. But the thing of it is, she's leaving, like, in three days. Could you possibly do the story? And I was like, I'm on maternity leave. And I. And Al, my husband, said, you know, you should do this. You should do this. What a great way to get back into it. So I, you know, had to stop breastfeeding and had to get all my shots and so forth. And I thought, okay. And this was a story that we were just sort of going out on a lark. We didn't know if she would find her mom, and we didn't know where the story would take us. So it was just such an amazing story of by the seat of your pants, you don't really know what's gonna happen. And then she did. Eventually, the mom was told in this village, and they walked and they made their way and she was reunited with her mom. And that remains one of my most memorable stories because, you know, as a black woman connecting with Ethiopia and all the people who were there, that was really meaningful. But also just this beautiful story of discovery. And then we won an Emmy Award. So I was just. That's a story that I still remember to this day. Obviously, there are plenty of other stories that we've done that are memorable. Just a recent true crime story with 2020 about a young mom who was abducted and killed and the 911 system failed her. And that was a story that was really touching because she was so young and there were so many opportunities to save her and they didn't. So there are many stories that we do now that still stick with me, but that one was just memorable for a lot of reasons. Yeah. Up next, the lessons we share with the next generation. Our nieces and nephews dreaming big despite any circumstance. Stay with us.
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Debra Roberts
We are back with a special edition of 2020, the after show. Typically I bring in a 2020 producer or correspondent, but today I have my sisters with me.
Bonita
What would you like for your legacy to be in our family? And what would you say to all of the young people in our family and elsewhere friends? What would you say to them about following your dreams? Because they certainly look to you, you know, and look up to you for following your dream.
Debra Roberts
That's very sweet. Who don't know. We are from a large family, nine children growing up together. And I have a lot of nieces and nephews, like 25, I think I don't even know. And you know, we joke, Janet, all the time about how they seem to your your kids seem to get very nervous about what I think. And you know, I weigh in on. I didn't quite realize that. But I think more than anything else and I know I can be a little pushy and I can be a little judgmental now. And me? No, only in a good way on a good way. I think because I was so demanding and ambitious myself growing up. You talk about I had these dreams. I just I want my nieces and nephews to have dreams and I want them to think beyond. I mean we grew up in small town Perry, Georgia, like 10,000 people post segregation and we really experienced life in a very small way. But I had dreams beyond the small town and I wanted to do something bigger and I just imagined that I could do it. And I think more than anything I want to convey to all of my nieces and nephews to imagine to Think bigger. Don't just think about this particular career. That would be nice and lovely, maybe take it a step above. But I'm always that type of person, and I do it to my own kids. What about the next thing? So I just. I like. I like to encourage, and I do this when I go to colleges or high schools to dream. And don't deny yourself the opportunity to imagine that you could do more because of your circumstances and your surroundings. But to think that maybe I can make my mark in a bigger way. So, I don't know. I mean, I guess I. Sometimes people see that as being a little, I guess, pushy, but.
Bonita
Well, you know, I can say. To add to that.
Debra Roberts
I remember.
Bonita
So, you know, growing up, as you said, in a southern town, small town, you know, we. We spoke country and. And you. You encouraged me and you influenced me to, you know, stop splitting verbs. And so now, you know, I've become this grammar fanatic.
Debra Roberts
Yes, you are real grammarian.
Bonita
And with reading, you also encouraged me to use. To buy me books and tell me to read and whatnot. And I used to hate it when.
Debra Roberts
I was growing up. Oh, stop it. Stop saying things about how I speak.
Bonita
But then I grew to love it.
Debra Roberts
And you've had such an impact on your kids, too, in the way you think. But remember what I used to. I would come home with all these ideas of things that were just exciting. And I trapped you and Bonita and said, let's do yoga, and I made you. And you kept giggling and grinning, and I was so upset. I was like, you're not taking this seriously. We're doing downward dog. What is wrong with you two? And you were like, yoga.
Janet
Who cares?
Debra Roberts
Who even knows what yoga is? And I always came up with these ideas, and now I hope you don't think I was completely crazy, but we would appreciate it. Yes, she would correct you on the spot.
Bonita
So if you split that verb, whatever.
Debra Roberts
It was, and she would say, no, leave me alone, and make you say it. That is so funny. Coming up, we're hosting our own after show murder mystery dinner party. Who plays the best detective or the best prosecutor? More laughs ahead.
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Debra Roberts
This has been so fun. It's been so great having you guys here and getting a chance to share my world in television because you all know it. You've been here various times, you've seen little things, but to be able to see behind the scenes and to join this podcast, it means so much. Okay, so since we are a true crime show in 2020 and Janet, you have always been a true crime fanatic. I think I know you've always liked. But even when we started doing crime, let's talk about who might be a sleuth. Because when we do a lot of stories at 2020, there are a lot of citizen sleuths out there who follow true crime and will offer their thoughts to police. So who in the group would be the true crime sleuth, do you think?
Janet
I think it might be me. I know Kristen and I, and she's a police officer now, but I remember we sit and watch the two crime shows and look at the, you know, as the story would unfold, we say, they might want to talk to that guy. They're gonna. Because he's probably gonna end up being the one. And true enough, the. The guy would be the one that would go back to the guy. And we're like, yeah, the one who.
Debra Roberts
Was in the background.
Janet
The one in the background. He was actually being interviewed by the. Who. The news person or whoever. And talking about the person, it's like, he looks a little suspicious.
Debra Roberts
I think they're gonna need to kind.
Janet
Of circle back and go to him. And sure enough, they went back and circled back to him and he was actually the one that committed the crime.
Debra Roberts
So you find that interesting.
Janet
We try and figure out who. As they start unraveling what happened, it's like, oh, I think maybe that person might have done it. And it's interesting, you know, sometimes where you feel like you went wrong and why you. You felt that way. But yeah, I like trying to unravel the.
Debra Roberts
You think so everybody think. Janet.
Janet
Yeah.
Debra Roberts
If we were to have a scripted true crime murder mystery show, who would most likely be like, the lead detective amongst us? You would be. Why so?
Bonita
Well, I'm just always into details. You've said since we've been here, you don't miss a thing.
Debra Roberts
You don't.
Bonita
But my children, Asia particularly, and Ben, because they were probably the most challenging. But, you know, they always said, mom, you should have been a detective.
Debra Roberts
You're always looking for stuff you can.
Bonita
Find stuff you do notice.
Debra Roberts
I notice that you do notice a lot of details. What about medical examiner? Who would have the stomach for that?
Bonita
Ooh, not me.
Debra Roberts
Not me.
Bonita
Anita, do you think you're my height?
Debra Roberts
Your nice pillow waves.
Janet
Really?
Debra Roberts
With like a body and being able to sort of of take a look at gory, gooey, gory things. Yeah. In my career, I mean, I think.
Janet
Hear about a lot of.
Debra Roberts
Because you're pictures. Yeah, you do hear a lot of things. And you just kind of.
Bonita
I forgot about that.
Debra Roberts
Yeah. Kind of get used to it. So you've become a little bit more accustomed to hearing the gruesome, heinous kinds of stories. Okay. Prosecutor who's going to be the one to nail the suspected bad person in trial?
Bonita
I say me.
Debra Roberts
Yeah, I think you too. I think you too. You'd make your case.
Bonita
I'm not sure why you say that, but anyway, yeah, you make your case.
Debra Roberts
No, because you, you, you have an analytical mind, I think. But you also get an idea about people. I've noticed that you seem to sum people up pretty quickly. And you have an idea like, is she really or did you think so? I could see that. And what about DNA analyzer, the whole forensics and getting deep into that kind of thing?
Janet
I don't know, that's kind of. It seemed. Well, I don't want to say tedious, but you have to have the patience too.
Debra Roberts
That's true.
Janet
Because when we're watching sex something, it gets wound up in an hour. Yeah, but you know that it took them way longer to analyze everything and I don't know.
Debra Roberts
You would have the patience. Probably.
Bonita
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Janet
That's another.
Bonita
Meticulous.
Janet
In my job, there are a lot.
Debra Roberts
Of tedious things and attention to detail is very important. In some things that they're not necessarily hard, but you know, you just have.
Janet
To have the patience and the attention.
Debra Roberts
To detail to do them.
Janet
So I.
Debra Roberts
You could probably do that.
Bonita
Wow.
Debra Roberts
We've got everything covered here.
Bonita
Wow.
Debra Roberts
Well, ladies, this was fun. What do you think? Not bad, right? Not bad at all. Well, we'll have to bring you back to town sometime soon. Well, as I said, my new book is called Sisters Loved and Treasure Stories of Unbreakable Bonds. And these ladies helped spark the idea because what better thing to have in your life than a sister? And there's actually research that says sisters are good for your mental well being. And I think we have had a mental health boost this last week. So thank you all for doing this. It was great. It was a different kind of a podcast. It's kind of nice to take a little detour from the true, true crime for a change. Thank you all for joining us.
Bonita
Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Coach Glo
Hey, guys, it's Coach Glo from Dance Moms. Don't miss the new season of Dance Moms A new era, premiering December 8th on Hulu. This season, I'm starting a brand new studio. My daughter Ms. Kaylee's gonna be here full time. I, like, save the studio.
Debra Roberts
These moms are like hyenas. You're stupid. Look at you.
Bonita
These girls have to show the world.
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Coach Glo
Don't miss Dance Moms A New Era, Season 2 on December 8, streaming on Hulu and Hulu on DIS Disney plus for bundle subscribers terms apply.
Debra Roberts
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Podcast: 20/20 (ABC News)
Host: Debra Roberts
Guests: Debra’s sisters – Janet, Bonita, Tina, Belinda
Date: December 1, 2025
This special episode of the 20/20 After Show takes a heartfelt detour from true crime to celebrate family and the unique bonds between sisters. Host and veteran journalist Debra Roberts invites her four sisters—Janet, Bonita, Tina, and Belinda—to New York for a candid, laughter-filled conversation inspired by Debra’s new book, Sisters Loved and Treasured: Stories of Unbreakable Bonds. The sisters reminisce about their upbringing, discuss Debra’s career journey, reflect on personal challenges, and share insights about legacy, dreams, and the mental health benefits of sisterhood—sometimes playfully imagining themselves as characters in a 20/20 true crime investigation.
Debra introduces her sisters and the special format:
"We thought maybe since I'm always asking the questions, we might turn the tables and let you all ask the questions. I don't know if I'm ready for this..." (00:34)
On growing up in a big family:
"I grew up in a house full of sisters, six sisters. We have lost two of them over the years, but four sisters who are still very a part of my life." (00:51)
Pride in her sisters’ strength:
"Janet, who is a breast cancer survivor and thriver; Tina, who's dealing with her own battle at the moment, but surviving and thriving... So I got a couple warriors in the pack." (01:13)
Janet asks if Debra always wanted to work in news:
“Have you always wanted to be in the news area? And when did you know?” (02:08)
Debra’s response reveals a lifelong calling:
“People ask me that, and I think it's always what I wanted to do... I remember being sort of mesmerized by the reporters, seeing the changing face of news... When I really got a chance to be introduced to journalism, I thought, that's what I want: TV journalism.” (02:25)
Sisterly memories of Debra’s childhood “reports”:
Bonita: “You used to be in the mirror... doing your own report in the mirror.”
Debra: “With my brush or whatever...” (03:43–03:51)
Bonita: “Can you talk about one time when you were very nervous before one of your interviews?” (04:23)
Debra’s candid answer on nerves and professionalism:
“I'm nervous all the time. I'm nervous right now... I still get very nervous, especially if it's an important interview. Even just day to day, particularly if there's a timeline—like when I go into prisons... you surrender your phone and your ID... I get nervous, but I think it brings me good energy.” (04:23–06:13)
Sisters praise her composure:
Bonita: “You don't show it.”
Debra: “The trick is to mask that so people don't know.” (06:10–06:18)
A story Debra is proud of:
“There is this story about this African woman who lives in America... she was injured and her parents couldn't care for her... she wants to go back [to Ethiopia] to find her roots... She was reunited with her mom. And that remains one of my most memorable stories because, you know, as a black woman connecting with Ethiopia... And then we won an Emmy Award.” (07:14–08:56)
Bonita asks about Debra’s legacy and advice to young people:
“What would you like for your legacy to be in our family? And what would you say to all of the young people... about following your dreams?” (10:54)
Debra’s motivating message:
“More than anything else... I want my nieces and nephews to have dreams and I want them to think beyond. We grew up in small town Perry, Georgia, post segregation... But I had dreams beyond the small town and I wanted to do something bigger... I like to encourage—to dream. And don't deny yourself the opportunity to imagine.” (11:10–12:51)
Family stories of positive “pushiness”:
Bonita: “You influenced me to stop splitting verbs. So now, I've become this grammar fanatic.” (12:53)
Debra: “I hope you don't think I was completely crazy, but we would appreciate it. Yes, she would correct you on the spot.” (13:45–13:57)
“I think it might be me... As the story would unfold, we’d say, 'They might want to talk to that guy...’ and sure enough, he was the one who committed the crime.” (15:33–16:13)
Janet: “…that’s kind of... tedious, but you have to have the patience... You just have to have the patience and the attention to detail...” (18:08–18:42)
"What better thing to have in your life than a sister? And there's actually research that says sisters are good for your mental well being. I think we have had a mental health boost this last week." (18:49)
On recognizing childhood ambition:
“I did my show in front of the mirror... I guess I was destined. I guess it was destined.”
—Debra Roberts (04:03–04:08)
On nerves in journalism:
“You have no idea how many times I'm churning outside.”
—Debra Roberts (06:13)
On legacy and dreams:
“Don't deny yourself the opportunity to imagine that you could do more because of your circumstances and your surroundings.”
—Debra Roberts (11:56–12:06)
On belonging to a loving sisterhood:
“What better thing to have in your life than a sister?... We have had a mental health boost this last week.”
—Debra Roberts (18:49)
This episode steps away from hard-hitting crime investigation to offer an intimate, charming look into Debra Roberts’ family, showing how resilience, humor, lifelong encouragement, and mutual pride shape a generation of women. While touching on the serious (career nerves, health battles, legacy) and the playful (which sister would solve a crime?), the episode doubles as a tribute to the deep, sustaining power of sisterly love—making it a resonant listen for anyone interested in family dynamics or seeking permission to dream big, no matter where you start.