Aside from crooning a church song he learned as a youngster, the 'Jerry Maguire' actor tells nearly 200 medical professionals in the city, 'We're going to be stronger than we ever were.'
- May 15, 2020
AceShowbiz - Cuba Gooding Jr. is doing his part in the battle against the coronavirus pandemic by providing supports to the nurses. Through a video stream from his home, the actor playing Carter Wilson in "The Butler" serenaded the front-line women at two of the biggest medical facilities in Anaheim, California.
Before delivering a sweet rendition of a church song he learned as a youngster, the 52-year-old spread some positivity by telling viewers, "We're going to get through this thing - we're going to be stronger than we ever were." He went on to share why Anaheim holds dear to his heart. "And on a personal note, I used to live in Anaheim - I was homeless," he began his story.
"I was living in a women's abuse shelter just outside of Tustin. I went to Tustin High School, and I was exposed to the tight-knit community that Tustin and Anaheim make up," the Oscar winner detailed. He continued to recall that his family managed to survive because "the community rallied behind us to make sure we made it through the night with food, with shelter."
The "American Horror Story: Roanoke" actor then addressed the 180 women "who are in the Anaheim hospitals front lines" fighting the COVID-19, "Just know that you're in a wonderful city, community that supports you, that loves you." He added, "This community is of strong, and of faith, and of God."
At the end of the video shared by TMZ, the father of three signed off with another message of encouragement to the ladies. "Be strong - we love you, we're here for you," he stated before putting his face mask back on. "We love you and stay strong."
While he offered support to the nurses, Cuba himself has been battling sexual misconduct allegations from multiple women. The "Jerry Maguire" star is currently facing misdemeanor counts of forcible touching and sexual abuse relating to reported encounters with three women in New York City in 2018 and 2019. If convicted, he faces up to a year behind bars.
