Tire Nichols from Death Reactions Hollywood

January 29, 2023

As the world mourns the 29-year-old Memphis native, several prominent celebrities have pleaded with fans not to watch the violent video of his death.

The death of Tire Nichols, the 29-year-old Memphis man who was fatally shot by police earlier this month, made new headlines this week when body camera footage of the killing was released. The haunting footage of Nichols yelling after his mother, explaining that he was just trying to get home, has sparked renewed debate in the United States about issues surrounding police brutality and the apparent inability to do so.

As the tragic video made the rounds on social media, Tyler Perry took to his personal Instagram account to mourn Nichols’ death and begged his followers not to let footage of the beating become entertainment.

“I said that for my own peace of mind, for my own sanity, for the hope of what was left of the human race, I would not watch another black man be horribly murdered,” Perry wrote. “I would refuse this time. I wanted to have the luxury of many people in the world who can easily turn it off. A lot of people can’t even imagine that happening to them, because frankly, it never will. I decided to see what that space felt like, cover my ears and not let it out. I knew it wasn’t possible, because when some people hate the outside, it doesn’t matter what’s inside, even if it looks like them inside.”

Perry continued, “So today I’m going to cry, I’m going to be depressed, I’m going to swear, I’m going to be upset, I’m going to burn some shit, I’m going to agonize, I’m going to let my heart break for his family, he’s going to whine with his tenor harmony based on my own experience, that is every black man that ever called for the safety of mama’s arms, i will scream unheard.

Perry was far from the only prominent entertainment personality to speak out about Nichols’ death. Many of her Hollywood peers paid tribute to Nichols and shared Perry’s opinion of not letting the video become a sensation. Read on for a recap of celebrity reactions to Nichols’ death.

For God’s sake. Torture P*rn does not serve your soul. #TyreNichols.

– Dr. Love (@questlove) January 27, 2023

I am heartbroken and angry when I see another family, another community hurt by police brutality. I stand with my hometown and the people of Memphis as we demand justice and accountability. #JusticeforTyreNichols

– Justin Timberlake (@jtimberlake) January 28, 2023

As we mourn the loss of a man who had so much ahead of him, I would like to introduce you #TyreNichols in real essence. He was a loving father, an attentive son and a loyal friend, with a passion for skateboarding and photography. Rest in power and know that we will seek justice.

🎥: Austin Dean pic.twitter.com/fYAKPfdlzv

— Mark Ruffalo (@MarkRuffalo) January 28, 2023

The vicious, unprovoked beating of Tire Nichols and his death by five Memphis police officers is just the latest, painful reminder of how far America still has to go to improve policing on our streets. pic.twitter.com/ITmrNNJhiT

– Barack Obama (@BarackObama) January 28, 2023

My heart goes out to the family of Tire Nichols and to Americans in Memphis and across the country who are grieving this extremely painful loss. There are no words to describe the heartache and grief of losing a beloved child and young father.⁰⁰Here is my full statement. pic.twitter.com/ghROhSGtao

— President Biden (@POTUS) January 28, 2023

I won’t watch that video #TyreNichols. I understand why his mother wanted him released. I just can’t watch another snuff movie. I feel like Martavius below. It should never have happened. 💔

— yvette nicole brown (@YNB) January 28, 2023

TOO FACT!!!

— LeBron James (@KingJames) January 28, 2023

Emmett Till’s mother demanded an open casket in his wake to make sure America learned from the horrors of white supremacy. America has learned nothing except that it can still get away with the horrors of white supremacy. #TyreNichols

— W. Kamau Bell (@wkamaubell) January 28, 2023

I could not watch. I’ve seen so many versions of the same thing and they all make me physically ill. It is with deep pain that I express my condolences to the family and friends of the innocent #TyreNichols.

— bettemidler (@BetteMidler) January 28, 2023

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