‘Didn’t She Lie on Him’: Tisha Campbell Exposes Martin Lawrence’s Promise to Her as Trolls Relentlessly Recall the ‘Martin’ Show Ending After She Sued Him

‘I Want You to Play My Wife or Girlfriend’: Tisha Campbell Reflects On Martin Lawrence Promising He Would Cast Her as a Love Interest Before “Martin” Debuted as a Critic Blames the Actress For the Show’s Downfall

Tisha Campbell, 55, became a household name in the 1990s but many often refer to her iconic role as Gina Waters-Payne on the classic 1990s television series “Martin.” Gina played the wife of the lead actor Martin Lawrence’s titular character.

Lawrence apparently always had plans to have an on-screen relationship with Campbell even before “Martin” debuted in Aug. 1992. Previously, they were cast mates in the “House Party” (1990) and “Boomerang” (1992) motion pictures.

Tisha Campbell reflects on Martin Lawrence promising he would cast her as his girlfriend or wife before they became castmates on the “Martin” sitcom in 1992. (Photo: @tishacampbellmartin/Instagram; @martinlawrence/Instagram)

On Sept. 9, LiveBitez shared a video of Campbell, which appears to be taken from an interview on Live, discussing her history with Lawrence. It’s unclear exactly who she was speaking with or when the video was taken, but it was likely in the last month due to Campbell rocking bohemian locs for the past month.

In the clip, the “Push” singer reflected on building a bond with her future television spouse before “Martin” hit the air.

“I used to sit in the back of the comedy venues and so I used to watch him go up all the time. I kinda became friends with him and Tommy Davidson. They were very close,” Campbell explained about fostering friendships with the stand-up comics.

She added, “[Lawrence and I] had just finished doing ‘Boomerang’ and I saw him at the premiere. He was sitting next to Diana Ross… So he goes, ‘Whatever I’m gonna do, it’s either a movie or a series, I want you to play my wife or my girlfriend.’ I was like, ‘OK, sure. Alright, Martin.’”

Campbell also expressed not believing Lawrence would hire her for a role in one of his future projects. However, she admitted the “Bad Boys” movie star kept his promise by casting her on his self-titled TV show.

“Martin” ran on the Fox network from 1992 to 1997. The sitcom’s fifth and final season ended sourly after Tisha Campbell left the show in November 1996, citing “intolerable” work conditions.

In January 1997, Campbell sued Lawrence and the show’s producers, claiming sexual harassment. She accused Lawrence of making unwanted sexual advances and verbal abuse. The comedian denied those allegations.

Campbell returned to “Martin” to film the last two episodes in April 1997 after a legal settlement. Following the sexual harassment accusations, Campell and Lawrence did not appear on screen together during the closing stretch of the program.

Eventually, Campbell and Lawrence reconciled. They appeared together on BET’s “Martin: The Reunion” special in 2022 along with co-stars Tichina Arnold and Carl Anthony Payne II.

“Everything else is a personal situation that we’ve all healed from,” Campbell told People in June 2022, referencing the sexual harassment litigation. “So we’re not even gonna talk about it.”

Damn, Gina!!! MARTIN IS NOW ON NETFLIX! pic.twitter.com/0jJ5UAg6Qv