In John Singleton’s new movie, “Baby Boy,” Tyrese Gibson plays Jody, a 20-year-old who’s still living in the ‘hood with his mama. Jody is also the father of two kids by different women.
The film covers a number of controversial issues, and it contains some explicit love scenes. But it is Gibson – in his first major film role – who captures the screen with his passionate performance.
The model, MTV veejay and singer says he drew on his own past – Gibson grew up on the crime-ridden streets of Watts in Los Angeles – to play the part.
“It’s hard for me not to be passionate, because passion is something that’s in me,” says the 22-year-old star, decked out in diamonds and a white linen Enyce suit with Adidas shell-toe sneakers.
“I’ve tried to be very picky and selective in things that I do, even if it’s a brand-new opportunity.”
That includes his new R&B CD, “2000 Watts” – which he named after his hometown and crew of 12 friends. (Last week, it was at No. 14 on the Billboard charts.) His first CD, a self-titled disc, came out in 1998.
The hunky heartthrob first broke into showbiz by modeling his chiseled abs on city buses and billboards for Coca-Cola, Tommy Hilfiger and Guess?. He also made a cameo appearance in the movie “Love Song” and was host of “MTV Jams.”
Q: You’re currently promoting an album and a movie simultaneously. Do you get double the fans?
A: A lot of people don’t know the real me. You got those people that are fans and they just can’t believe they are meeting you. And then you got other people that look at me as one of the homies. And they just say, ‘Hey, you’re doing a really good job.’ I’m not Elvis or Michael Jackson. I’m one of the homies.
Q: What traits does your ideal woman have?
A: Class, sophistication, beauty and she’s articulate, able to make a point. She’s aware of her sexiness, and her sexiness doesn’t have to be purchased.
Q: What is your personal style?
A: I have clothes for all situations, depending on the occasion. I’ll go from looking rough and scruffy to looking classy and rich. It all depends on the occasion. Like today, I’m feeling really relaxed, so I put on some white linen.
Q: What do you use to accessorize?
A: Well, one of the diamond necklaces I’m wearing represents my company logo. And another necklace is Chinese writing for “attitude.” I also have a “determination and attitude” tattoo on my back.
Q: How do you keep in shape?
A: I try to work out as often as possible, but I haven’t had a chance to get to the gym in about two months. I have good genetics because of my mom, so I just go up in there and work out the week before a photo shoot after eating bad for two months.
Q: What can’t you live without?
A: Love and happiness. Whether I’m rich or poor or famous or regular, I need love.
Q: What would you never wear?
A: Thong shoes. I don’t like my toes being all out. And I would never wear pink or lime green – no way.
Q: How do you spoil yourself?
A: I just bought a 600 V12 Mercedes-Benz. It cost about $180,000. It’s been my dream car since I was little. But you have to be so cautious when you drive it, and you’re always rushing out of a meeting to make sure no one else scratched it up, and you always want to keep it cleaned. It’s just like, damn, I might as well drive something else. When you have to charge yourself up to go and drive a car, it’s just a little too much.