“My Shayla” meme revolves around an old video of actor Tyrese Gibson, which has resurfaced online due to a viral TikTok sound featuring him crying out “My Shayla!” The video, originally posted by Gibson himself in November 2017, captures a raw emotional moment from the actor during a tough time in his life. At the time, Gibson was embroiled in a custody battle for his daughter Shayla amidst a divorce, and he posted several tearful videos on social media expressing his distress. The original video, along with others he posted, was later deleted, likely in an attempt to regain control after the emotional vulnerability he displayed online.
In the “My Shayla” video, Gibson, who is mostly known for his tough-guy roles in the Fast & Furious franchise, showed a different side of himself by breaking down on camera. This unexpected display of emotion became a viral moment, especially as people were used to seeing him portray rugged characters. His emotional plea and outburst caught the attention of social media users, turning a screencap of him crying into a meme. The most famous caption that came out of this video was “What more do you want from me?” which became a widely used reaction image on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
Fast forward to recent times, and TikTok users rediscovered this meme. A specific soundbite of Tyrese crying out “My Shayla” has become the center of a new meme trend. TikTokers have started using this clip in humorous and ironic ways, often to illustrate feelings of heartbreak or other emotional struggles. The revival of the video and its new soundbite meme began when TikToker @bunionlover47 posted a video using the “My Shayla” clip, humorously connecting it to the experience of having a significant other bring up a sensitive topic.
Since its resurgence, the “My Shayla” meme has continued to gain traction, especially heading into the new year. The TikTok format for the meme remains fairly straightforward: users use the “My Shayla” sound and pair it with captions related to emotional or humorous situations. While many of the younger TikTok users participating in the meme are unfamiliar with the original context of the video, the meme still resonates due to its relatable and exaggerated emotional tone.
Overall, the “My Shayla” meme highlights how internet culture can take deeply personal, emotional moments and turn them into viral content. What started as a painful video about a father’s love for his daughter has been transformed into a humorous meme format used by many who may not even know the full backstory behind it. Despite this, the meme has found a place in internet humor, particularly on TikTok, where it continues to be a part of the evolving world of viral trends.