Tyrese Gibson Biography

Fast Facts

• Began singing at the age of 14 and released his self-titled debut album at 19
• At the age of 16, landed his breakout gig in a Coke commercial despite arriving more than two hours late for the audition
• Modeled for Guess? and Tommy Hilfiger
• Made his film debut in John Singleton's Baby Boy (2001); he landed the starring role that was originally intended for the late Tupac Shakur
• Founded the Watts Foundation, which raises money to build youth centers in the neighborhood where he grew up
• Launched his own multimedia company, HeadQuarter Entertainment, in 2005
• Published the motivational book How to Get Out of Your Own Way in 2011