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What's The 'My Shayla' Meme? Tyrese Gibson's Crying Video And The Viral TikTok Sound Explained
An old video of actor Tyrese Gibson crying has resurfaced online because of a viral TikTok sound called "My Shayla."
The original video was posted by Gibson himself many moons ago. However, modern meme enjoyers have focused on one soundbite from the video in which he namedrops someone named Shayla. Many of the young people who are enjoying this meme are unfamiliar with the original trend.
So, who is Shayla? Who is Tyrese Gibson and why did he post this video? Why are people making memes about it? Let's explain.
What's The Original 'My Shayla' Video?
The original video was posted to Tyrese Gibson's Instagram account way back in November 2017. It was one of many tearful videos that the actor posted to his social media page that week. All of them have since been deleted, likely in a moment of clarity after his emotional distress.
Gibson was upset about the then-ongoing custody battle for his daughter Shayla. He was in the midst of a divorce and was worried about the court voting against him.
It's unclear what he wanted to accomplish in this video. A likely answer is that it was an outlet for him, to rawly express his emotions.
What's The 'Crying Tyrese' Meme?
After Gibson posted the video, it went viral on social media. People were used to seeing his rugged character in the Fast and Furious film series. So, the man pouring his heart out for all to see was a shocking break in character.
A screencap of Tyrese Gibson crying became known as the "Crying Tyrese" reaction image. It was heavily used on Twitter / X, Facebook and Instagram, among other social media sites, in the late 2010s.
It was most often paired with the caption, "What more do you want from me?" which Gibson says in the video.
Where Does The 'My Shayla' Meme Come From?
Recently, internet users rediscovered the 2017 meme, finding a new quote to latch onto. It started when TikToker @bunionlover47 shared a meme with Gibson saying, "My Shayla!" The video's caption joked about one's "HG" bringing up a sore subject.
Heading into the new year, the My Shayla meme has continued. The format has stayed close to home though. Just use the My Shayla TikTok sound and add a caption about heartbreak.
For the full history of My Shayla, be sure to check out Know Your Meme's entry for even more information.