Tiny Harris
*A celebrity bodyguard is receiving some needed help from Tameka “Tiny” Harris after being sentenced to one year in jail in Dubai. But Tiny’s plea for donations is rubbing folks the wrong way.
The Jasmine Brand reports the Xscape member took to social media to ask her 7.1 million Instagram followers for donations to help Cornell Whitfield. The 40-year-old protector was working for R&B singer Trey Songz when he put himself in front of the vocalist to stop a man, who was attempting to confront Songz as they left a five-star hotel to go to a club.
The man, labeled an “aggressive” hotel guest, approached Songz and his group, shouting, swearing, and waving his arms. Cornel, who served as part of Songz’s security detail, stated he tapped the man’s face to de-escalate the situation. Hotel cameras captured the incident.
At the time, Whitfield did not think much about what happened and flew back to the U.S. In addition to Songz, the Miami bodyguard worked with rap legend Lil Kim and other big-name celebrities.
Despite the incident taking place in March, Whitfield was not arrested until he returned to Dubai in August. After the man filed a criminal complaint against him, Whitfield was booked on an assault charge. His one-year jail sentence came after he was unable to raise the cash necessary to pay the $60,000 necessary to have the charges thrown out, according to reports.
Whitfield is currently out on bail but is not allowed to leave the United Arab Emirates. An appeal for him has been filed by his lawyer.
“I was only doing my job. The man appeared very erratic as if he was drunk or on drugs. I just tapped his face to jolt him out of what he was doing, and it had the right effect. He backed off, and that was the end of the matter,” Whitfield explained about the situation.
“I just want to go home to my family,” he added. “The whole thing has been a nightmare. I know Lil Kim is very upset at what has happened.”
Lil Kim isn’t the only entertainer upset over Whitfield’s situation. On Instagram, Tiny is working to help raise the $60,000 the father of two needs to pay his debt and be reunited with his family. In addition to the post, the singer/songwriter included a GoFundMe link via her IG stories for those who want to donate.
Trey Songz – Getty
As it stands now, it is unclear whether Songz has made any comments regarding Whitfield’s incident.
“We are asking for your help … $60k is what we are trying to raise to bring Champ back to the States,” Tiny wrote to her fans in a now-deleted post. “This situation is unfortunate and he does not deserve to be treated any kind of way for doing his job. He is a family man and loving father who deserves to be with his loved ones. To donate the link is posted on my stories. If everybody do a lil nobody has to do a lot!!! Thank you !!!!!! bring champ home”
Interestingly, even though Tiny was just trying to help, she caught a lot of flack from folks which is why she probably deleted the post. Some accused her of taking advantage of people who work from paycheck to paycheck.
“Rich people asking 9 to 5 people for donations is crazy,” said one person.
Another chimed in saying, “So between her, tip and trigga they couldn’t give 20k each.”
In case you might be on the late freight, “Tip” is Tiny’s husband, rapper Tip “T.I.” Harris. And “Trigga” is one of Songz’s nicknames.
A third person wrote: “I know she ain’t asking the poors for a little $60k when her group chat is worth a billion. Ain’t no way she meant to post this.”
Sheesh. What are your thoughts on Tiny trying to help and the backlash she got?
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