Tyrese

Fun Fact: Gibson was given the role originally intended for Tupac Shakur in the 2001 film Baby Boy.

Claim to Fame: Won a talent show at the age of fourteen, and led to an appearance in a 1998 Coca-Cola advertisement, singing the phrase "Always Coca-Cola", led to wider fame, and at seventeen looks paved the way for him to model for Tommy Hilfiger.

Tyrese Darnell Gibson, also known simply as Tyrese, is an American R&B singer, songwriter, rapper, actor, former fashion model and MTV VJ. After releasing several albums, he transitioned into films, with lead roles in several Hollywood films.


Gibson was born in Watts, California. His mother, Priscilla Murray Gibson, raised him and his three older siblings as a single parent after Gibson's father left in 1983. Gibson's career began when he won a talent show at the age of fourteen. An appearance in a 1995 Coca-Cola advertisement, singing the phrase "Always Coca-Cola", led to wider fame, and at seventeen looks paved the way for him to model for Tommy Hilfiger.


In 1996, Gibson appeared on an episode of Hangin' with Mr. Cooper. He also guest starred on the FOX sitcom Martin. Then he guest-starred on an episode of The Parent 'Hood sitcom in 1998. He was given the role originally intended for Tupac Shakur in the 2001 film Baby Boy, and he subsequently appeared in the 2003 film 2 Fast 2 Furious, as well as Flight of the Phoenix, Four Brothers and Annapolis. In 2006, Tyrese starred in Waist Deep; his co-stars in the film, Meagan Good and Larenz Tate, are personal friends of Gibson's in real life. Gibson may also star in a film version of the superhero Luke Cage; as of 2006, the script was being re-formatted.

He has also created a three-issue mini-series called Mayhem!, to be published by Image Comics, one of which is already available as an iTunes LP.


Gibson was married to Norma Gibson, with whom he has a daughter. The couple were together for ten months before he filed for divorce in January 2009, citing irreconcilable differences. Although his estranged wife had signed a prenup, she is contesting the agreement in court. Tyrese's and Norma's divorce was finalized later on in 2009.



*1998: Tyrese RIAA: Platinum
*2001: 2000 Watts RIAA: Gold
*2002: I Wanna Go There RIAA: Gold
*2006: Alter Ego

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