Tyrese Gibson has shared the sad news that he and his wife Samantha Lee have split and are preparing to divorce.  The Fast and Furious actor married Samantha on Valentine’s Day in 2017 and welcomed their daughter, Soraya Rayas, the following year.

In a heartfelt statement on Instagram, Tyrese explained that the split is amicable and they intend to remain friendly in order to co-parent their two-year-old on good terms.  ‘We have decided to make a statement of a painful and significant development in our lives,’ Tyrese began the lengthy post.

‘After much thought, consideration, and prayer, We unfortunately have made the difficult decision to officially separate & divorce. Our intention is to remain the best of friends & strong coparents.  ‘We feel incredibly blessed to have found each other and deeply grateful for the 4 years we have been married to each other.

Our journey together has been a ride of both ups & downs, but it’s a journey that neither of us would have chosen to take with anyone else. We truly have so much love & respect for each other.’  Tyrese, who chose to share the news on his 42nd birthday, went on to explain how they have ‘grown tremendously’ within their marriage and cherish the ‘beautiful memories and moments’ they’ve shared but are looking forward to their future individually.

The How You Gonna Act Like That singer continued: ‘As if 2020 hasn’t already been extremely grueling and challenging to us all we wanted to mutually speak on this now to keep this energy in 2020 and not take this energy into 2021.  ‘We would really appreciate your most sincere prayers and to respect our privacy at this time as we deal with the reality of where we are.’

Tyrese also shared a sweet video montage of family memories with Samantha and Soraya, and said in the caption that ‘Black families and marriages are under attack’.  He continued: ‘Most of us were raised in broken homes with NO examples of what being a husband, wife or FATHER is…. ‘How can we naturally know how to BE something we were never raised by?

‘My heart is so full because you blessed me with 5 years of magic…. Samantha Gibson, I owe you everything. I am a better man of God, friend, and father because of you.’  Tyrese is also father to 13-year-old daughter Shayla Somer from his two-year marriage to Norma Mitchell, which ended in 2009.