Robbie Pardlo is best known as a former member of the R&B group City High, which soared to fame in the early 2000s with the hit song “What Would You Do?”. While the group found early success, Robbie’s personal struggles — particularly with addiction and mental health — led to a very public fall. His appearance on Intervention (Season 7, Episode 6) revealed the raw and painful truths of his journey. But through the pain, Robbie delivered quotes that are deeply real, sometimes heartbreaking, and always human.
This article brings together some of the most impactful and unforgettable Robbie Pardlo quotes, along with insights into their deeper meanings.
🎤 1. “I was the founder. I put the group together. I was the talent.”
Why it matters:
In the early moments of his Intervention episode, Robbie proclaims his role in creating City High, emphasizing that he wasn’t just a background member. This quote speaks to his pride — and pain — in being overlooked or forgotten as the group moved on without him.
It’s a reminder of how creative ownership can become a source of both empowerment and bitterness.
💔 2. “She left me… and then married the other dude in the group.”
Robbie refers to Claudette Ortiz, his ex-girlfriend and fellow group member, marrying Ryan Toby, the third member of City High.
Why it matters:
This quote captures the deeply personal heartbreak that Robbie experienced not only in his love life but also in his professional life — a betrayal he felt on two fronts. The rawness of this statement makes it one of the most memorable lines from his episode.
🍷 3. “I drink because I’m in pain. You think I wanna be like this?”
One of Robbie’s most vulnerable moments on Intervention, this quote pulls back the curtain on addiction as a response to trauma rather than a simple lack of willpower.
Why it matters:
It reminds us that many struggling with substance abuse aren’t doing so out of weakness, but out of emotional survival. It’s a call for empathy over judgment.
🎶 4. “Music is the only place I still feel like myself.”
Why it matters:
This quote speaks volumes about Robbie’s connection to his passion. Even when everything else in his life fell apart — relationships, fame, health — music remained a refuge.
For many artists, their craft isn’t just a job; it’s their identity, their therapy, their lifeline.
👥 5. “I made that song for people who needed to hear it. But nobody was there for me.”
Referring to “What Would You Do?”, a song that addressed poverty, single motherhood, and survival, this quote reveals the irony of creating empathetic art while feeling abandoned in real life.
Why it matters:
Robbie is highlighting how artists can become invisible after the applause stops. It’s a sad truth in entertainment — the creators who give so much sometimes receive so little in return.
⚖️ 6. “I don’t need another hit record. I need a hit of peace.”
Said during a post-rehab interview, this quote reflects Robbie’s evolution. The chase for fame is replaced with a yearning for inner calm.
Why it matters:
It’s one of his most powerful lines — poetic, tragic, and wise. It’s a reflection on what truly matters once the spotlight fades.
🏚 7. “I’m not living anymore. I’m just surviving.”
Why it matters:
This haunting statement is a window into depression. Robbie wasn’t thriving, creating, or connecting. He was simply existing — and that’s not what life is meant to be.
This quote resonates with anyone who’s been in a dark place, feeling stuck and disconnected from purpose.
🌅 8. “I still believe I was meant for more than this.”
Why it matters:
Despite the pain, Robbie never fully let go of hope. This quote shows the resilience of belief — that even in brokenness, he still felt called to something greater.
It’s a defiant act of self-worth in the face of failure.
💬 9. “If I could talk to my younger self, I’d say: don’t lose yourself in proving people wrong.”
Why it matters:
This quote is filled with the wisdom of hindsight. Robbie’s life was marked by rejection, competition, and unmet expectations. Here, he reminds us that chasing approval can cost us our soul.
🛤 10. “I’m not the man I was on TV. I’m rebuilding — one brick at a time.”
Why it matters:
This is a statement of transformation. Robbie refuses to be defined by his lowest point. He’s trying to build a life worth living — not for fame, but for peace and healing.
✨ Final Thoughts
Robbie Pardlo’s story is a cautionary tale, a redemption arc, and a mirror for anyone who’s ever battled demons behind a polished exterior. His quotes are more than soundbites — they’re truth bombs from someone who’s been through it all: fame, heartbreak, addiction, and awakening.
While the world may remember City High’s “What Would You Do?”, it’s time to listen to what Robbie would say — raw, real, and ready to heal.
