Tisha Campbell Talks Moving Past Sexual Harassment Lawsuit Previously Filed Against Martin Lawrence Ahead Of Reunion Special For Their 90s Sitcom: We Worked Really Hard To Reconnect
TV fans will be happy to know that Martin and Gina have reconciled for their 30th-anniversary reunion special!
As you may already know, Tisha Campbell, 53, played Martin Lawrence’s onscreen wife, Gina, on the series “Martin,” which aired from 1992 to 1997. During the final season of the hit series, Tisha Campbell sued Martin Lawrence, 57, and the show’s producers for sexual harassment (on and off screen). Tisha Campbell also accused Martin Lawrence of sexual battery, verbal abuse, yelling and threatening her on set, groping her when they filmed scenes in bed, and attempting to tongue kiss her. Due to her serious accusations, Tisha Campbell was absent for most of season 5. Eventually, HBO Studios settled the case with Campbell, however, precautions were still taken so she didn’t have to film with her on-screen husband during the two-part series finale.
In a previous interview, Lawrence, 57, was asked why he left the hit series. He said:
“I just decided to end it. People said that I got canceled, but that wasn’t the case. I decided to just leave the show.”
Campbell replied to Lawrence’s comment in an interview:
“I can’t go into much detail about the past because there was a confidentiality agreement, so the gag order says no, but what I can say is…I was actually kind of shocked.”
Confused about her former co-star’s comments, Campbell contacted Lawrence herself to avoid any further misunderstandings. Campbell said:
“He was like, ‘Yeah, T, don’t read into what it is, there’s a lot of people that’s trying to bring up the past, and trying to make it news today. But, you know T, we’re good. I love you and I love your family.’”
After their private conversation, In January 2020 Lawrence assured Campbell that they were in a good place with an Instagram post. Campbell’s lawsuit against her former costar was reported settled outside of court.
Lawrence wrote,
“Regardless of the past or any misrepresentation of it In the press, I have nothin but love for Tisha then and now. We are good and always will be! #teammartymar #yougogirl”
In a recent interview with Gayle King, Campbell discussed being on set with Lawrence again to film a reunion special for “Martin,” which will premiere Thursday (June 16) on BET+. When asked how the pair are doing now after having had some very public issues she said:
“We were finishing each other’s sentences. We were joking. We were laughing. It was like being on set again.”
Campbell then explained how it was being on set with Lawrence again after the lawsuit:“We worked really hard to reconnect, to forgive, and this reunion is about a celebration of everything that we did, everything that we accomplished and our growth as human beings. And so, we concentrated mostly on that.”
she continued:
“I am the happiest I have ever been in my life. It was a combination of the new found freedom in my life and COVID isolation. I really had to sit with myself and my children. It was that whole time where I got to rediscover who I was because I’ve been paying bills since I was five years old.”
Campbell added:
You gonna learn something, something really interesting about yourself. Sometimes things come in a really complicated, interesting, ugly, gift. It’s wrapped in a very strange package and I just learned so much about myself and I really am the happiest I’ve ever been in my life. I really do like myself!”
