5 Unbreakable Ways Megan Thee Stallion’s Parents Forged Her 'Hot Girl Coach' Persona

The foundation of any superstar is often built on the shoulders of those who came before them, and for Megan Thee Stallion, that foundation is a powerful, yet tragic, legacy left by her parents, Holly Thomas and Joseph Pete Jr. As of December 10, 2025, the conversation around the Grammy-winning rapper’s roots continues to be a central part of her narrative, highlighted by recent tributes and a deep commitment to honoring their memory through her charitable work.

The "Hiss" rapper, born Megan Jovon Ruth Pete, has consistently credited her late mother and father for instilling the confidence, lyrical prowess, and resilience that define her public persona. Their influence is so profound that she established the Pete & Thomas Foundation, ensuring their names live on through philanthropy, a testament to the enduring impact of their lives on one of music's biggest stars. This is the story of the two people who truly made the Hot Girl Coach.

The Complete Biography of Holly Thomas and Joseph Pete Jr.

Megan Thee Stallion’s parents, Holly Thomas and Joseph Pete Jr., were complex, influential figures whose lives were intertwined with the Houston hip-hop scene and a deep love for their daughter.

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• Full Name (Mother): Holly Thomas
• Rapper Name: Holly-Wood
• Occupation: Underground Rapper, Bill Collector, and later Megan’s Manager
• Influence: Direct inspiration for Megan’s rap career, taught her to write and perform, and provided hands-on management.
• Date of Death: March 22, 2019
• Cause of Death: Brain Cancer

• Full Name (Father): Joseph Pete Jr.
• Occupation: Rapper, Police Officer (at one point)
• Early Life Note: Was incarcerated for the first eight years of Megan’s life, but maintained a relationship upon release.
• Influence: Taught Megan the importance of valuing herself and maintaining a strong character.
• Date of Death: Tragically shot and killed when Megan was a teenager (exact date undisclosed).

Megan, who was born on February 15, 1995, in San Antonio, Texas, but was raised in Houston’s South Park neighborhood, grew up immersed in the world of hip-hop thanks to her mother. The duality of her parents' lives—a mother balancing a corporate job with an underground rap career and a father with a troubled past who instilled self-worth—provided a unique, gritty foundation for the future superstar.

1. The Rap Pedigree: Holly Thomas as 'Holly-Wood'

The most direct and undeniable influence on Megan Thee Stallion’s career comes from her mother, Holly Thomas. Holly was an underground rapper in the Houston scene, performing under the name "Holly-Wood." This wasn't just a hobby; Holly was a serious artist who recorded and performed between 2001 and 2007.

Megan’s childhood was essentially a masterclass in hip-hop. She remembers sitting in the car while her mother would write and record her own music, absorbing the cadence, the flow, and the confidence needed to command a mic. Holly-Wood didn't just inspire her; she set the rules. Megan was not allowed to start rapping until she was 18, and even then, her mother became her first manager, ensuring her daughter's lyrics remained clean and focused on strong messaging. This hands-on mentorship from a true rap veteran is why Megan is often praised for her technical skill and powerful delivery today.

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The loss of Holly Thomas in March 2019 to brain cancer was a devastating blow, happening just as Megan’s career was exploding into the mainstream. She has consistently spoken about the profound grief and the commitment to continue her mother’s legacy, a topic recently explored in her Prime Video documentary, 'In Her Words,' which provides a poignant look at this relationship.

2. Joseph Pete Jr.’s Lesson on Self-Worth and Resilience

While her mother provided the musical blueprint, her father, Joseph Pete Jr., provided the essential lesson on character and self-value. Joseph was a rapper and, at one point, a police officer. Although he was incarcerated for the first eight years of Megan's life, she maintained a relationship with him after his release.

Joseph Pete Jr. instilled in his daughter a fierce sense of self-worth. Megan has shared that her father taught her how to value herself and understand her own power, a theme that is central to her "Hot Girl" philosophy. His tragic death, when Megan was a teenager, added another layer of resilience and determination to her life. The combination of losing both parents—her father early in her youth and her mother at the start of her fame—forced Megan to navigate the industry and her personal life with an extraordinary level of strength, which she channels directly into her music and public image.

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3. The Birth of the Pete & Thomas Foundation

The most concrete, current evidence of her parents' enduring legacy is the establishment of the Pete & Thomas Foundation. Launched in 2022, the foundation is named directly after her parents, Joseph Pete Jr. and Holly Thomas, and serves as a charitable vehicle for her commitment to giving back.

The foundation’s mission is to lift up and support communities in Houston and beyond, focusing on three key areas:

• Education: Providing scholarships and resources for students.
• Housing: Supporting senior citizens and single mothers with housing assistance.
• Health and Wellness: Addressing mental health and cancer research, a direct nod to her mother’s battle with brain cancer.

Through this organization, Megan is not only honoring their memory but is actively transforming the pain of their loss into positive, tangible change. She has often stated that she believes her late parents would be "super proud" of her commitment to philanthropy and her success. The foundation's inaugural 'Hotties Helping Houston' event and ongoing initiatives demonstrate her dedication to making their names synonymous with community support.

4. The Source of Her Unapologetic Confidence

Megan Thee Stallion’s brand is rooted in unapologetic confidence, a trait she attributes entirely to the women who raised her, including her mother, Holly Thomas. From her early freestyles to chart-topping hits like "Savage," her self-assuredness is a defining characteristic.

Holly Thomas was a strong, independent woman who balanced the demanding worlds of corporate finance and underground hip-hop. This duality taught Megan that a woman could be both smart and sexy, professional and passionate. She learned to be "unapologetically herself" from her mother, a core tenet of the "Hot Girl" movement. This powerful example of female strength is the true source of the confidence that has helped her overcome personal tragedy and professional hurdles.

5. An Enduring Presence in Her Music and Public Life

Even years after their passing, Megan's parents remain a constant, palpable presence in her music and interviews. Every time she speaks about her journey, whether on a major podcast like 'Club Shay Shay' or in a magazine profile, she circles back to the lessons they taught her.

The entity of "Megan Thee Stallion" is a living tribute to Holly and Joseph. Her drive to succeed, her resilience in the face of adversity, and her ability to maintain a strong moral compass in a difficult industry are all direct reflections of their influence. She has taken the complex, sometimes painful, details of her childhood—the incarceration, the loss, the immersion in rap culture—and woven them into a narrative of triumph, ensuring that the legacy of Joseph Pete Jr. and Holly Thomas is not one of tragedy, but of enduring strength and inspiration.