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JOHN SINGLETON: Celebs Pay Tribute

Written by KingCnote on April 30, 2019

Boyz n the Hood directorJohn Singleton died today at 51 after his family made the difficult decision to pull him off life support following a stroke. Celebs from all walks of life have been paying tribute to the pioneering black filmmaker.

Ava DuVernay: “There aren’t many of us out here doing this. It’s a small tribe in the grand scheme of things. He was a giant among us. Kind. Committed. And immensely talented. His films broke ground. His films mattered. He will be missed. And long remembered. Thank you, John.”

Jordan Peele: “RIP John Singleton. So sad to hear. John was a brave artist and a true inspiration. His vision changed everything.”

Chance the Rapper: “Rest up John Singleton. We never met, but Remember the Time literally changed my life. Thank you so much. God Bless you.”

Robert Townsend: “My prayers go out today to John Singleton and his family. May God bless the young cinematic king who gave us images that will stay with us forever”

Michael Rapaport: “God Bless this guy. John Singleton. Damn. Such a nice guy.Talented guy. Generous. Gave so many people there Big Breaks. What a nice loyal guy he was.#johnsingleton Literally gave me the opportunity of my career. Was so supportive and was my biggest fan making Higher Learning.“

Magic Johnson: “Cookie and I are deeply saddened to hear about the untimely passing of our friend and outstanding filmmaker John Singleton….John created some incredible movies, his first being Boyz n da Hood at the age of 24. He became the first African-American and youngest person to be nominated for an Academy Award for Best Director….John is admired for putting a lot of people of color to work throughout his career. Our prayers are with his children and family members. He will be sorely missed.”

Juicy J: R.I.P John Singleton thank you for helping me, if It wasn’t for you I wouldn’t be an Academy Award winner. I’m gonna miss you bro I love you my prayers for your family we will never forget! YOU ARE LEGENDARY

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I really didnt want to believe I'd to have to write something like this about John. I am a believer of miracles. Alas…I met John when my older sister Kelly enrolled at USC in 1986 & quickly became friends with a group of fun loving, black, creative masterminds. They called themselves the "Black Pack" I was 13 then and in awe of how loud and proud they were. Each friend contributing a different vibe and talent. By the time I turned 18 they chaperoned (yeah right ?) my birthday party. When I transferred to UCLA they promised my family they would look out for me & they did. The entire time I've been in Hollywood I knew I had big brothers who had my back & that knowledge gave me wings. While they all accomplished so much, there was John breaking barrier after barrier making dreams into reality and never losing that loud and proud, by any means necessary mentality. Flash forward decades and I'd run into him in the islands or Miami and we'd laugh in awe and glee at how far we'd both come. I will forever be grateful to the Black Pack & John Singleton. You showed me exactly what we can do when we stick together. Love & Light to all his loved ones and fans. Hold onto one another, we are greater together. Rest in eternal peace ????

A post shared by Gabrielle Union-Wade (@gabunion) on Apr 29, 2019 at 12:28pm PDT

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There was a time when I was struggling to pay my bills in film school and not sure this town was for me. And one day, not long after Boyz N The Hood exploded on the scene, my phone rang. It was John Singleton. John did not know me at all. But someone at USC had told him I was talented and he was kindly calling to offer me some words of encouragement. He told me to keep writing. I never forgot it. Praying for him and for his family now.

A post shared by Shonda Rhimes (@shondarhimes) on Apr 25, 2019 at 7:36pm PDT