With his striking good looks and muscular build, Tyson Beckford is still considered one of the most attractive people in the fashion industry. While his handsome appearance comes with plenty of perks, it hasn’t exactly helped his dating life. This story involves a fistfight and some crazy rumors about him and Big Tigger. If we’re going to talk about it, let’s address it now. What really happened?
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Tyson Beckford, born on December 19, 1970, to Jamaican parents, has always had distinctive features, thanks to his Chinese maternal grandmother and Panamanian maternal grandfather. Growing up in the Bronx, New York, he stood out. At seven, his family moved to Jamaica, where Tyson naturally gravitated toward the women in his family. They were the breadwinners, nurturing and caring, teaching him essential life lessons, as he shared with the Sydney Morning Herald.
Eventually, the family returned to the United States and settled in Upstate New York. Tyson told the Orlando Sentinel that he was often teased about his appearance, which made him feel unattractive and uneasy around the opposite sex. However, in his junior year of high school, a classmate showed interest in him, boosting his confidence as he began to appreciate his looks. By his senior year, Tyson had grown to 6’1″, gained 15 pounds of muscle, and developed a deep voice, making him quite the catch.
In the early ’90s, Tyson was discovered by an editor at The Source magazine. According to the Orlando Sentinel, the editor convinced Tyson to pose for a fashion layout with a bit of persuasion. After the photos appeared in the magazine, Tyson’s older brother Patrick encouraged him to pursue a modeling career and even offered to be his manager. Tragically, Patrick was killed at 24 during a robbery. This was one of many losses Tyson endured. He told the Evening Standard that many of his friends were in gangs, and several acquaintances were either in jail or had passed away. Modeling became his way out. He recalled it as a horrible time and vowed never to return once he left. Tyson kept that promise, and after featuring in a Ralph Lauren campaign, he was offered a $500,000 contract in 1995 for their Polo Sport activewear collection. He happily signed, making it the most lucrative fashion contract for a Black male model in the U.S. Cha-ching! Go, Tyson!
He moved to Harlem and decided to really focus on his career. He was featured in GQ Magazine, appeared in Biggie Smalls’ “One More Chance” music video, and looked stunning in Toni Braxton’s “Unbreak My Heart” video. I remember that video! With his perfect abs, shaved head, broad shoulders, chiseled jawline, and a smile that could melt anyone’s heart, he made a huge impact on the modeling industry. He had agents in Paris, Milan, Spain, and London, and was doing photoshoots with some of the world’s most beautiful women while walking the runways for major brands.
But not everyone was happy for him. Some of his old friends called him a pretty boy and started spreading rumors about him. Jealousy was rampant, and he didn’t want to be around that negativity. So, he left Harlem and moved to a suburb in northern New Jersey. Even then, he was constantly traveling for work.
When he did have some downtime, he often went to Atlanta, where he met Chilli from TLC. During one of Chilli’s brief breakups with producer Dallas Austin, Tyson shared with Vlad TV that he and Chilli had a fling. However, it didn’t last because Chilli was still in love with Dallas. When Tyson saw a tattoo of Dallas’s initials on her, he knew it was time to let her go back to Dallas. Chilli and Dallas ended up having a child together, even though their romantic relationship eventually ended.
Tyson also tried to hit on Jada Pinkett. Really? He confessed that he approached her “too street,” which turned her off. What does “too street” even mean? This is Jada we’re talking about, the woman who was in love with Tupac! Anyway, Jada eventually moved on and married Will Smith, while Tyson dodged that potential mess. He later got together with fashion stylist April Roomet, and they had a son named Jordan Beckford in 1998. Their relationship didn’t last, though. Over the next few years, rumors flew about him being linked to Foxy Brown, actress Nia Long, model Imogen Thomas, and Alicia Hall. He even claims he hooked up with Kim Kardashian, despite her later questioning his sexuality after he criticized her body. Talk about drama!
There were even rumors that he married a woman named Bernice Julien, but that was never confirmed. Then, the wild allegations started circulating about him and Big Tigger. Hold on, I need all the details, Karen. Karrine Steffans shared on the Jamie Foxx Radio Show that she was dating Big Tigger, and when she visited him at his Miami hotel, the whole room smelled like a Bed Bath & Beyond candle. But because she loved him, Karrine said she went along with a two-hour intimate session. Afterward, she noticed some red fluid all over the bed. I’ll bet you a million bucks if you can explain that one. I knew she was lying! Let’s call Tyson back right now! I believe Tigger. Wait a minute, I believe him. I’ve never had a man get behind me, and I’ve never gotten behind a man. That’s just not me. ‘Cause you take it on your back, baby! Tigger denied the allegations and called Karrine a liar.
In 2008, Tyson started dating 23-year-old America’s Next Top Model winner, CariDee English, but it didn’t seem like he was serious about their relationship. In an interview with The Cut, he described CariDee as a “nice little thing” and talked about how he would pick up women at his local Whole Foods. It ain’t tricking if you got it!
So, what exactly was he looking for in a partner? He told Glamour magazine that men appreciate women who feel comfortable in skinny jeans. He added, “We don’t want you to look like a little boy. God gave you a figure for a reason.” He also mentioned his fondness for Australian women, saying they were easy to talk to. It seemed like he found his perfect match in 2008 while filming Australia’s Make Me a Supermodel. That’s when 37-year-old Tyson met 17-year-old contestant Shanina Shaik. Talk about robbing the cradle! Initially, their relationship was strictly professional. Sure, Tyson.
He continued dating other people, including supermodel Paige Butcher before she moved on with Eddie Murphy. Hercules! Hercules! Hercules! After things fell apart with Paige, Tyson reconnected with Shanina, who was then 18, and they took their relationship to the next level. Fans were confused by more than just the age gap.
In a 2012 interview with the Evening Standard, he was asked if he loved racing his cars more than being intimate with Shanina. Tyson replied that if he had to give up one thing, it would be intimacy because the thrill of driving fast was unbeatable. But it gets worse. He claimed he was responsible for turning Shanina into a top model. He said that when he met her, she was just an ordinary girl, and he helped her connect with the right people, get her teeth cleaned, and tone her body. Oh no, he didn’t! Tyson boasted that thanks to him, the industry, including Victoria’s Secret, took an interest in her. He couldn’t understand why people were telling Shanina to dump him. He added, “I hear people say, ‘You can do better than Tyson.’ I’m like, really? Really? I created her!” This guy!
In response, Shanina said, “He has always supported me, but he did not make me. My mother made me.” I know that’s right!
In 2013, Tyson admitted that an intimate video of him had been leaked. Sources say the video featured him performing a solo act during a video chat with an unnamed supermodel. Since he and Shanina had been dating on and off since 2009, it’s unclear whether the video was made during one of their breakups or if Tyson was cheating. By 2015, after six years of dating, Shanina had had enough. On the So Chic podcast, she said Tyson had many unresolved issues. When asked if he cheated on her, she dodged the question and simply said, “He is just not a nice guy.” Ouch! Shanina told Tyson she was ready to move on, and the guy she had her eye on was none other than Tyson’s acquaintance Gregory Andrews, also known as DJ Ruckus, who happens to be Lenny Kravitz’s cousin. That had to hurt. Tyson admitted he was a bit upset that DJ Ruckus broke the bro code but eventually gave them his blessing. He didn’t have much choice. After seven months of being single, Tyson told Page Six that he was looking for his Rihanna, but all the women he liked were already taken. He added, “I’m trying to build an empire, so I need a queen. I need a cookie.” Okay, Lucious!
It all started during a night out in Manhattan. Shanina’s new boyfriend, DJ Ruckus, was DJing at a club, and Tyson was there with some friends. Things got heated when DJ Ruckus began taunting Tyson, leading to a confrontation that moved outside. Tyson said DJ Ruckus eventually jumped into a cab to leave, but Tyson chased him down on his motorcycle. When they got to the DJ’s condo, Tyson got off his bike and confronted DJ Ruckus and his friend. By the time the authorities arrived, Tyson had already fled the scene. Despite the drama, Shanina later proclaimed that DJ Ruckus was the love of her life. They got engaged after eight months of dating, got married, and then Shanina filed for divorce after 14 months of marriage. Grand opening, grand closing.
In 2021, Tyson joined The Celebrity Dating Game and chose to date Justina Caputo. However, the current status of their relationship remains unknown. Reflecting on his past failed relationships, Tyson attributes the issues to his controlling nature, admitting that he often dictated how his girlfriends should dress and frequently put his foot in his mouth, leading to numerous problems. Nowadays, Tyson is still on the lookout for “the one.” For those curious, he clarified that he doesn’t discriminate and has dated many Black women. In an interview with the New York Post, he expressed his admiration for brown skin, saying, “I love brown skin. It’s nice to look at and to touch, and you don’t have to look like a supermodel either.” Speaking to Hollywood Life, he emphasized that beauty isn’t his priority; he seeks someone who is well-informed about current events.