When Geoffrey Owens a.k.a. ‘Elvin’ from “The Cosby Show” was exposed as a cashier working at a New Jersey based Trader Joe’s grocery store, he initially thought his life had been turned upside down. Why? Because the initial reports by certain news outlets (hint, hint…Fox News) presented that information in a manner that appeared to be job shaming. That led to a flurry of social media comments from ignorant folks bashing the brotha for working. Then came the tremendous outpouring of support from thousands of people who defended Geoffrey. The “Cosby Show” legend admitted that the love everyone was showing him was ‘overwhelming,’ but never in a million years, would he have imagined what was to come next.
First, Tyler Perry reached out to him and offered a role on his hit TV series, “The Haves and the Have Nots.” Now rapper, Nicki Minaj, has stepped up with a generous helping hand for the man she looked up to as a child.
Nicki Minaj Donating How Much To Geoffrey Owens
During an interview with “Entertainment Tonight,” Nicki spoke about Owens’ situation, revealing how pissed off she was that someone would put him on blast that way. She understands that can happen to herself, or any other entertainer:
“Some people are on the internet and seeking attention, and he’s [Geoffrey Owens] just the antithesis of that,” said Nicki Minaj. So I felt like, ‘Oh my God, could you imagine?’ … We all have done jobs like that and I just thought, ‘What if that were me? Or a family member and they were minding their own business, working to feed their family and somebody tried to humiliate them?’ I don’t like the way that feels.”
She continued, “Tell him that I’m going to have my team contact him because I hope he doesn’t take it the wrong way. … I just want to help him in any way I can.”
Later, during her ‘Queen Radio’ radio show, Nicki Minaj made a big announcement in honor of the legendary Geoffrey Owens:
“That man is now getting so many opportunities,” Minaj expressed. “I personally want to donate on behalf of Queen Radio $25,000 to Geoffrey Owens. You know why? Imma tell you something. This man is a whole f**king legend in these streets.”
It’s beautiful what Minaj is doing for that brotha and she’s doing it in a manner that does not feel like a ‘charity case’ so to speak…but rather, a fellow entertainer helping out another entertainer she greatly respects.
Geoffrey Owens Accepts Tyler Perry’s Offer
As we mentioned earlier, in addition to Nicki’s generosity, Tyler Perry gave Geoffrey something equally as generous, an opportunity…and a job doing what he loves most.
After Tyler saw Geoffrey’s story, he reached out to him on Twitter:
“#GeoffreyOwens I’m about to start shooting OWN’s number one drama next week! Come join us!!! I have so much respect for people who hustle between gigs. The measure of a true artist.”
#GeoffreyOwens I’m about to start shootings OWN’s number one drama next week! Come join us!!! I have so much respect for people who hustle between gigs. The measure of a true artist.
— Tyler Perry (@tylerperry) September 4, 2018
Eventually, Geoffrey got the message and was completely ‘overwhelmed’ by Tyler’s “generous” offer. Since then, it’s been confirmed that Geoffrey will be flying out to Atlanta, GA to shoot next week for “The Haves and The Have Nots.” He’s accepted a deal for a recurring role on the show and will star in 10 episodes! Geoffrey has since quit his Trader Joe’s job after working their for 11 months. Like my mama would always say, ‘Look at Gawd!’
Geoffrey Owens On Why He Didn’t Quit
Geoffrey explained, to People Magazine, how grateful he is for the tremendous support and for not giving upon himself:
“I’ve learned to never give up,” he said. “A lot of times I was on the verge of quitting the job at Trader Joe’s, but I didn’t because I couldn’t. But it was sufficiently awkward and uncomfortable to be in that kind of job [and be] recognized from time to time. I wanted to leave at times, even though I was grateful for it as work. But if I had done that, none of this would’ve happened.”
