Everything changed for Tyrese Gibson thanks to Robin Leach. Growing up in the Watts neighborhood of Los Angeles, the five-time Grammy-nominated singer and star of The Fast and the Furious franchise couldn’t have imagined the level of wealth he would one day achieve. Reflecting on his childhood, he shares, “I grew up in poverty, relying on public assistance while my mother juggled multiple jobs to raise four kids alone.” That all shifted when he became a fan of Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous, the television show hosted by the Australian personality. “I was astounded that people owned Rolls-Royces and castles!” he recalls with a laugh. “But by the end of the series, I started to believe that I could achieve these things and break the cycle of poverty.”
Now, Gibson’s French Chateau-style home, built around 2000, could easily fit into the classic show from the ’80s and ’90s. Spanning roughly 25,000 square feet, the home boasts seven bedrooms and features two towering 16-foot statues of Transformers. The residence radiates a sophisticated charm that feels more inviting than ostentatious. Gibson, a well-known entertainer, designed every space to be welcoming for friends and guests who could relax on leather chairs or create music in his home studio with a golden microphone. “I wanted everyone to feel the regal energy and vibe,” says Gibson, who plays Roman Pearce in the latest Fast & Furious installment. “But it’s very livable. I never say, ‘I’m sorry, but you cannot sit here.’”
To bring his vision to life, Gibson collaborated with designer Sue Wishengrad, owner of Sue Wishengrad’s Trade Secrets in Los Angeles, who had previously designed several of his homes, including one for his mother. “He flew me to Atlanta, showed me the house with the previous owner, and gave me the floor plans,” Wishengrad recalls. She spent two months sourcing items that fit Gibson’s vision, ultimately sending three semitrailer loads of furniture to Atlanta. Mona Stephen, head of M One Design Group in Atlanta, coordinated the finishing touches in just a few weeks. “He told Mona, ‘I need you to work some magic!’”
That magic is on display when Gibson hosts post-pandemic parties for vaccinated guests, including events supporting former Atlanta mayor and current mayoral candidate Kasim Reed. “Every day as I pull up to my house, I can’t believe it’s mine,” the 42-year-old actor expresses. “When people come over, they never want to leave. This place has been a gift that keeps giving… and I will never leave.”
The French Chateau-style mansion in Buckhead, Atlanta, features a marble entrance with decorative moldings and a wrought-iron staircase handrail. “The only addition I made was my Bumblebee!” Gibson adds, referring to the Transformer sculptures he purchased for what will become Voltron Studios Hollywood in Atlanta. Both kids and adults love the 16-foot tall Bumblebee and Optimus Prime, which offer a unique sight in the home.
