Tyrese Gibson joins Shannon Sharpe in this episode of Club Shay Shay for an unfiltered and insightful conversation that dives deep into his life, career, and the experiences that have shaped him.
The episode starts on a playful note as Tyrese humorously tells Shannon he needs to moisturize, setting the tone for a lively discussion. The two reminisce over a glass of Coca-Cola, with Tyrese sharing the story behind his iconic Coke commercial—a defining moment that skyrocketed his career. He reveals how he arrived late to the audition but still managed to land the role, earning his first $100 and feeling like it was Christmas every day since.
Tyrese reflects on his tough upbringing in Watts, California, where survival was the only goal. He talks about the 1989 California earthquake, receiving FEMA money, and repaying a friend's loan tenfold—a testament to his loyalty and gratitude. Tyrese recounts the harrowing loss of a friend who was the best basketball player he ever knew, a senseless tragedy in a neighborhood where violence was often indiscriminate.
The conversation takes a deeper turn as Tyrese discusses his challenging childhood, being the youngest of four children and the only one not born in St. Louis. He shares how his family moved to LA for his father’s singing career, only for his father to leave when Tyrese was just seven years old. He opens up about his mother’s struggles with alcoholism and her belief that he was special from birth.
Tyrese compares the devastation of the Watts Riots to the aftermath of the George Floyd protests, describing how the landscape of Watts was forever changed by the unrest. He reflects on how Rodney King’s brutal beating was the first time police brutality was broadcast to the world, and how it marked a turning point in the public consciousness.
In discussing his film career, Tyrese talks about his latest movie 1992, a project that faced significant hurdles in Hollywood. He shares how Snoop Dogg, the film’s executive producer, played a pivotal role in generating buzz for the movie. Tyrese praises Snoop as a genius who has reinvented himself time and time again, noting that Snoop’s influence is unmatched—even more so than Jay-Z’s. He also mentions how actors like Denzel Washington and Viola Davis continually reinvent themselves, and how working with Denzel is a dream he has yet to fulfill, as Denzel is the very reason he pursued acting.
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