By Karu F. Daniels, AOL Black Voices
What's a good way to get in Oprah Winfrey's good graces -- and maybe a hotly coveted guest spot on her top rated daytime talk show?
If you're in the mindset of chart-topping R&B crooner/actor Tyrese, then you would come to her defense -- publicly.
On March 14, 'Reuters' reported the headline "South African parents were unhappy with Oprah school," which was a pick-up from a 'South Africa's Media 24' report about how parents compared the school to prison.
Oh no -- not prison choile.
Last night, the 'Fast & the Furious' star issued a statement regarding the negative media attention that Winfrey and her South African School for Girls have been the subject of.
"There is a staggering amount of millionaires and billionaires out in the world that do nothing to effect positive change within society. The fact that Oprah Winfrey took a monumental step to create a school in South Africa for the betterment of African children rather then just speak of change is commendable," the Watts, California native stated.
He continued: "The bible says- 'No good deed shall go unpunished,' and there are many critics out in the world turning up negative stones to find a flaw in this wonderful gift donated to South Africa by Oprah Winfrey."
In January, Tyese (legally known as Tyrese Gibson), himself, was embroiled in negative media attention when TMZ.com broke the news that police were seeking to conduct an investigation on the strapping, chocolate hued balladeer -- for allegedly having a "physical altercation" with his pregnant girlfriend.
At the time the story broke -- and spread like wildfire -- the usually media accessible Gibson wasn't available for comment.
Well within a two month time period, he's speaking up and speaking out ... for The Almighty O.
"I stand with Oprah in the fight for change and positive world reform and I hope that people realize there will always be struggle and without struggle there is no progression. Please leave her alone and let the blessings she is offering outshine the public scrutiny she is facing."
Tyrese, who recently starred in the movies 'Annapolis,' and 'Waist Deep,' has also been spotted hanging around the likes of Hollywood "It Girl" Cameron Diaz -- the former girlfriend of blue-eyed soul crooner Justin Timberlake who has also been recently linked to Academy Award nominee Djimon Honsou.
Last week, Gibson told Black Voices' resident Hollywood Reporter Jawn Murray that he "still has love for the sisters."
Oprah is case in point.
In other Tyrese news, the Grammy nominated J Records recording artist is currently on his 'Alter Ego Tour.' His double disc album of the same title has sold 320,762 copies since its release last year.
Comments: (21)
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By: lykeyesed on 3/16/2007 6:05PM
hmm...tyrese suddently issuing statements to defend Oprah after allegations of physical altercation with pregnant girlfriend...strange! but people do need to leave Oprah alone. when was the last time you built a school for underpriveleged children in any country? plus, i hope the school is hard like prison so the girls will learn to study hard and achieve. [removes soap box and skips off to go be yet another fabulous black woman like Oprah]
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By: TINA on 3/16/2007 10:30PM
I THINK IT'S WONDERFUL WHAT OPRAH HAS DONE. WHY IS IT EVERYTIME SOMEONE DOES SOMETHING GOOD, PEOPLE FIND SOME WAY TO TRY TO MINIMIZE IT? THOSE WHO HAVE NEGATIVE THINGS TO SAY, ASK YOURSELF THIS, "WHAT HAVE I DONE TO BRING ABOUT POSITIVE CHANGE?"
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By: RHONDA C on 3/17/2007 12:00AM
TYRESE WILL DO JUST ABOUT ANYTHING TO GET SOME ATTENTION. AND STILL AINT SELL NO RECORDS. ALL THAT HYPE. AND HE ROLLING AROUND WITH THAT HOLLYWOOD HO CAMERON DIAZ TALKIN BOUT HE LOVES THE SISTERS. NIGGA PLEASE.
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By: jamal walker (from the a) on 3/17/2007 12:04AM
these mofos just playerhatin' on oprah. but who do tyrese think he is? denzel? cosby? spike? nobody dont want to hear what his black ass has to say. he need to go sit on the back of the bus and drink some more pop like he did back in the day.
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By: Janelle Jones, Columbia SC on 3/17/2007 10:35PM
Sorry REESE. No haps. No one wants to hear what comes out your black mouth. You need to handle some of your baby mama issues and stop running around with that ugly white mexican bitch cameron diaz. If Justin anbd Djimon fucked and dumped her, why are you running up in that? You are always trying to get in the public eye. It's not working. I heard your concerts are not selling. Didn't the same thing happen when you went out on the road with Brandy a few years ago. NO. NO. NO.
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By: JIGGAMAN on 3/17/2007 10:37PM
THE MAN WHO PUNCHED HIS PREGNANT WOMAN IN THE STOMACH COMING TO OPRAH'S RESCUE?
WHAT A FUCKING JOKE.
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By: Salene on 3/18/2007 5:46AM
Are the parents of the students upset because they can't visit whenever they want to or are they upset because the academy is shielded from the outside community? Is it shielded?
Sometimes dysfunctional family issues can cause a child to lose focus on all things positive. Maybe these girls need to have a little time out from their family issues, long enough to absorb all the good that can and will come from attending this leadership academy.
If my daughter went to that South African Leadership Academy, I would want her protected from the community too. I doubt if it's "prison like" but the neighborhood isn't the best of hoods so safety should be the #1 priority. The students are young girls not worldly women.
A young girl attending school in South Africa isn't the same as a young girl attending school in America cause safety is a serious issue in South Africa.
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By: John R, on 3/18/2007 3:04PM
Listen no one gave Oprah anything and this she did out of the goodness of her heart.The government did not build or establish school for these children so if someone like Oprah did this then,"thanks be to God." I am sure that this is all fabrication and the parents of these students are all grateful as well as thankful for someone to even be thinking about there children for a change.Leave Oprah alone and let her continue to use her money to do great thnigs.You go Oprah!!!!
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By: ms_cutiepants on 3/19/2007 8:47AM
i think anybody would come to Oprah's Defense because that's the kind of respect people have built up for her. I don't believe Tyrese hit his pregnant girlfriend, but i can't really defend him becaus ei wasn't there and i don't know the truth.
Anyway i think what oprah is doing is great, the only reason people got mad is because her school wasn't over here, but like she said we are more privledged and because of that fact they may be a bit more appreciative. And i agree.
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By: Redd on 3/19/2007 6:15PM
News Flash Oprah Just Bought Africa......Cash!!!!
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