HOLLYWOOD -- Tyrese Gibson wears many hats, but only one feels truly comfortable.

"When I wake up in the morning and when I go to sleep at night, every inch of my body is a singer," says Gibson, who records under the name Tyrese.

He released his self-titled album three years ago, when he was 19. Last month, as Tyrese approached double-platinum, he released its successor, 2000 Watts.

In addition to writing and recording, Gibson has an exclusive modelling contract with Guess? and is among MTV's most popular VJs.

Tomorrow, he makes his feature film debut as the star of John Singleton's Baby Boy.

"I'm really excited about Baby Boy and I enjoyed making the film, but it's not my world. I'd rather win a Grammy any day than an Oscar."

Singleton says Gibson can protest all he wants, but he's going to be just as famous for his acting as he is for his music.

"Tyrese is a movie star who's never been in a movie until now. The first time I saw one of his videos I knew he belonged on the screen."

Singleton tried to talk Gibson into taking a role in Shaft.

"We met and talked about Shaft, but he was too nervous. When he heard I was doing Baby Boy, he phoned me to say he was ready so I got him an acting coach."

Gibson is adamant he deserves none of the credit for a performance that is already being heralded as star-making.

"I knew I had to validate John's decision to hire me, so I told every other actor and every member of the crew that it was up to them to get me through the movie. They did and I'm grateful to them."

Only when it came to the sex scenes did Gibson refuse advice.

"No acting coach could teach me more about sex than I already know. I was my own coach and director for those scenes."

This does not mean the explicit sex scenes were a cakewalk.

"I had to walk around naked for days and that was pretty humiliating because I was thinking about my mama's reaction.

"My mama ain't seen my butt since I was a baby, and now she's going to see it up there on the screen bigger than life."

Not even the thought of parading naked could deter Gibson from accepting Baby Boy.

He says this story of Jody, a 20-year-old who refuses to take responsibility for his life, preferring to live with his mother, hits a nerve.

"Jody is me. I'm the baby boy of four children. When I was still living at home I didn't know what life was really about.

"I was so spoiled and so protected. It wasn't until I moved out on my own that I finally grew up."

Unlike Jody, Gibson's epiphany came when he was 16.

Gibson saw an ad at his school for an African-American male to appear in a Coca-Cola commercial.

"There was this girl in our neighbourhood who wasn't paying any attention to me. I thought if she saw me on TV in a commercial she'd notice me," recalls Gibson, who arrived two hours late.

"The only reason the lady was still there was that her ride was late. I had to beg her to unpack her equipment and tape my audition."

The commercial went national and Gibson was paid $100,000 US.

"Before that Coke commercial, my middle name was broke. ... The temptation to spend it on fast cars and fast women was really great. I'd seen how other guys had blown their money, so instead, I bought myself a four-bedroom house."

To star in Baby Boy, Gibson had to promise Singleton he would put his music on hold for eight months.

The day after they wrapped, Gibson was back writing songs.

"I feel really good about my new album because my heart and soul is in it. My albums are my diaries."

Now his new CD is completed, Gibson can switch hats again.

"I've been talking to Denzel Washington about starring for him in (Finding Fish) the Antwone Fisher story."


More Artists