The world lost one of it's most celebrated filmmakers earlier today when John Singleton passed away following a stroke. Hollywood has reacted with shock and sadness as they've shared their tributes and condolences on social media. One celebrity who is taking the loss particularly hard is Tyrese Gibson who not only worked with Singleton on multiple projects but called the legendary cinematographer his friend.
"We got you 'covered' in prayers and love John!!!!! You built a tribe a village of love and that love is standing with you through it all..::: another sleepless night love you bro," Tyrese wrote on Instagram just yesterday. He also shared a photo of Singleton with the caption, "We went to see our family and brother yesterday...... Myself and Taraji walked in at the same time and prayed over him together and left there with an overwhelming feeling that he’s going to get through this..... Praying for you day and night john....... Love you bro with my whole heart...... Prayer warriors I need you to pray your most sincere prayers for John Singleton."
Gibson and Taraji P. Henson starred on Singleton's films Baby Boy and Four Brothers, while Gibson also worked with Singleton on 2 Fast 2 Furious. Henson later worked with Singleton when he produced Hustle & Flow and guest-directed an episode of Empire. After learning of his passing, Gibson wrote a lengthy tribute on Instagram.
Laying in bed, I’m confused my soul feels drained.. For the last 2 days I was in the presence of my HERO a man who literally changed my life and my families life forever.. Of ALL the people in the world he decided to believe in me?.. a young impressionable ghetto little black boy from Watts who had hopes and dreams praying everyday that God would figure out a way to get me out of the hood and see some shit... Like many of my nighas I grew up with I just didn’t wanna end up in jail, or dead.. I woke up after crying myself to sleep with a heavy heart, Yesterday I took a shower and while standing there.. Just started balling crying I got out of the shower and went back to lay down and the tears wouldn’t stop, I told my wife these exact words.. “Baby I know today is my last day in town and we made family plans but I need to get back to John and pray over him. I feel like tomorrow or next week might not be promised, I’m leaving to go back to London and I got this feeling deep in my chest, my heart is fluttering... And although I have complete faith in God and his miracles I feel like he might not be here when I get back”. Without even blinking my wife said ok let’s go. I went to see John and I as soon as I stepped off the elevator I was greeted and in the presence of SO much of John’s history. So many beautiful and warm souls people who I’ve known and grew to love over the last 27 years of knowing John we all went into every emotion imaginable, we cried, we were there reminiscing, laughing and storytelling. One things for sure, every story that was told all went back to us all saying JOHN built a TRIBE, a fraternity of lifetime of friends, colleagues and loyalty. And we all echoed HE PUT US ON!! Everyone that was in that room yesterday has known John all the way back to his first movie Boyz In The Hood to now.. I think we all felt like we needed to spend as much time as we could cause Ive learned after losing Paul and countless others.. it’s arrogant to think or believe that next seconds of life or next week is promised. I can’t believe I’m write these words..... Rest in Love, Rest in Power Rest in Gods glory... Your Baby Boy aka Baby Brother aka Jody for life!!
Rest in power to one of the greatest.