John Singleton was remembered by colleagues including Tyrese, Nia Long and Ice Cube Tuesday, which marked the one-year anniversary of his April 28, 2019 death at the age of 51 following a stroke.
Tyrese, who worked with Singleton on the 2001 film Baby Boy and 2003’s 2 Fast 2 Furious, posted a shot of himself with Singleton and the late Paul Walker from the latter film, saying, ‘RIP to both Kings.’
‘These last 48 hours I’ve been isolating and slipping in and out of bad energy and vibes,’ said the actor, 41. ‘Didn’t really know why…. Then I get a text that one year ago today I loss my hero John Singeton…. My Mr Miyagi… The man who sat me down and poured into me and seen more in me than I seen in myself around acting and movies.’
Legacy: John Singleton was remembered by colleagues including Tyrese, Nia Long and Ice Cube Tuesday, which marked the one-year anniversary of his April 28, 2019 death at the age of 51 following a stroke. John and Tyrese were snapped in LA in 2015
Tyrese said that while he was upset over the death of the filmmaker, he en courage his followers to send their prayers towards Singeton’s survivors amid the sad anniversary.
‘Although prayers are always welcome….. I’m going to be ok,’ Tyrese said. ‘If you can do anything for me today..? Just pray John’s beloved Mother, Father and kids and family…. Still can’t believe you’re gone….. Miss you everyday John!’
Nia Long, who was in Singleton’s 1991 breakout film Boyz N the Hood, posted a portrait of the filmmaker from his celebration of life.
‘I’m not sure if this will ever feel real to me,’ wrote the actress, 41. ‘Missing my dear friend, mentor, culture changing artist, an icon. The man who made South Central cinematically famous. I will love you forever. #365days.’
Well-remembered: Tyrese, who worked with Singleton on the 2001 film Baby Boy and 2003’s 2 Fast 2 Furious, posted a shot of himself with Singleton and the late Paul Walker from the latter film, saying, ‘RIP to both Kings’
Focused: Tyrese and Singleton worked together on the 2001 film Baby Boy
Another Boyz N the Hood alum, Ice Cube, chimed in with a series of tweets paying homage to the talented director, whose other movies included 1993’s Poetic Justice, 1995’s Higher Learning and 2000’s Shaft.
He shared a shot of Singleton and himself with co-stars Cuba Gooding Jr., Morris Chestnut on the set of the gritty drama.
‘John Singleton knew we were all movie stars before we even knew it,’ he wrote. ‘He wanted us to become cinematic heroes with very long careers. Thank you J.S.’
Icon: Nia Long, who was in Singleton’s 1991 breakout film Boyz N the Hood, posted a portrait of the filmmaker from his celebration of life
A look back: Long and Cuba Gooding Jr. played lovers in Boyz n the Hood
Memory lane: Ice Cube shared a series of warm anecdotes about the filmmaker
He noted how even as a young director, ‘John Singleton always had total command of the set.’
In another shot, Ice Cube shared a shot of Singleton on the set of the 1991 Michael Jackson video Remember the Time posed with the King of Pop, Iman and Eddie Murphy.
He wrote: ‘REMEMBER THE TIME: He always saw us as Kings and Queens, so I was happy for him when he got to direct this video. One of MJs best…on the black hand side.’
Singleton’s funeral was held in his native South Los Angeles in a May 2019 ceremony attended by notable names such as Tyrese, Nia Long, Ice Cube, Chestnut, Stevie Wonder, Taraji P. Henson, Ludacris and Congresswoman Maxine Waters, among others.