Recently I went to hang out with a friend and mentee, the very cool, smart, and very successful recording artist, model, movie star, and newly minted business owner too, Tyrese Gibson. Well, I could not be prouder of his growth and development, because he has found a way to keep his feet on the ground, and his head in the clouds too!
I remember with fondness how Tyrese called me one day, a few years ago and at the height of his attention around a newly released movie, to ask me if I would take him to church with me. Not exactly what you would expect from a self-absorbed celebrity with the world’s attention on him. That’s because T, as I like to call him, is not self-absorbed at all. While, like all of us, he still has a lot of work to do as a person, and as a man, he is increasingly just a well rounded, good guy.
Amongst other things, he wanted to meet one of my mentors, and the man who I credit with "raising" me spiritually, the Reverend Dr. Cecil "Chip" Murray. Well, we did go to church together, and Tyrese has carried God with him as his partner in life, ever since.
Here Tyrese shows me around on a cart from the set (and no, he cannot drive – smile) of his newest movie, Transformers, by Steven Speilberg. Bravo Tyrese, my friend, bravo…. Proud of you friend.
Onward, with HOPE
John Hope Bryant