The “Cosby Show” alum Geoffrey Owens has opened up about his decision to donate the $25,000 gifted to him by Nicki Minaj in 2018. Years after graciously donating the $25,000 gifted to him by Nicki Minaj, the actor admits he has some regrets about parting with the generous sum.
The story dates back to a viral moment that unexpectedly thrust Owens into the public eye. A photo of the actor working at Trader Joe’s circulated widely, sparking discussions about the unpredictable nature of Hollywood careers. While the image intended to poke fun at Owens, it instead ignited a wave of support from fans and celebrities alike, many praising his humility and work ethic.
Nicki Minaj, moved by Owens’ situation, made headlines with her $25,000 donation. Her generosity came as part of her ongoing philanthropic efforts, including paying off student loans and funding education for fans.
“At first, there was some negative stuff about basically the job-shaming,” Geoffrey Owens remarked about this viral situation. “A ‘Where is he now?’ kinda thing. But then, very soon after that, there was all this support and encouragement from all over the world. It wasn’t like I quit, knowing I would be making a lot of money soon or anything. I just felt like I wasn’t going to be able to handle that kind of scrutiny and attack on my privacy.”
In an emotional response, Owens expressed gratitude at the time but made the surprising choice to donate the entire amount to various charities, including the Actors Fund, which supports performers facing financial hardship.
However, years later, the actor admits he wishes he had kept the money.
Geoffrey Owens continued, speaking on how he felt about donating the money that Nicki Minaj gave him to charity, “At the time, it seemed like the right thing to do. Even today, right now, as we speak, I still struggle to make a living. I struggle every day to make ends meet. And people can’t get their heads around that because they see me in movies. People have a false impression of what the average middle-class actor makes and their ability to make a living in the industry.”
Despite occasional acting roles, including guest appearances on shows like “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” and “NCIS: New Orleans”, Owens’ career hasn’t fully rebounded.
Nicki Minaj has yet to comment on Owens’ recent revelations. However, fans have flooded social media with disbelief over Owens’s choice to give away his money when he’s still struggling.
