Cuba Gooding Jr. is turning to Christ after years of scandalous headlines, premiered new Christian movie in the Hamptons
Cuba Gooding Jr. premiered his Christian movie in the Hamptons.Getty Images
Cuba Gooding Jr. seems to be relying on Jesus Christ to get him back in Hollywoodās good graces after years of scandal that brought his flourishing movie career to a halt.
Once Tinseltownās top leading man, Gooding is co-starring in āThe Firing Squad,ā a Christian film based on a true story about prisoners who find Christ as they await execution in an Indonesian prison.
Kevin Sorbo and newcomer James Barrington round out the cast.
Gooding Jr. has faced several sexual abuse accusations in recent years. AP
Gooding hosted a private screening of the film at Grey/Ven CEO Scott Weissmanās East Hampton estate.
āPeople were crying,ā one attendee claimed to Page Six.
Gooding Jr., James Barrington and Kevin Sorbo star in āThe Firing Squad.ā Everett/Shutterstock
Gooding gave a speech introducing the movie and quipped to Weissman, āI thought you were going to have fried chicken and hot dogs, but you got like real rich-people food.ā
Gooding Jr.ās girlfriend Claudine De Niro has stood by his side through the scandals. Getty Images
The āJerry MaGuireā star, whoās no stranger to karaoke, belts out āAmazing Graceā in one of the scenes. Weāre told he stood up in front of the screen during that moment.
His girlfriend Claudine De Niro, Greg Bello, controversial Florida pol Fabian Basabe, Petra Khashoggi, Danny Baker, Marci and Michael Warren, Peter Cook and his wife Alba Jancou were among the crowd.
Sources told Page Six that Gooding is focusing on work again after facing several sexual assault accusations, including pleading guilty to forcibly touching a woman. He made the rounds in New York last week, including a stop at āExtra,ā where he opened up about his fall from grace. He told the outlet his Christian faith has helped him get through the dark times.
Gooding Jr. wants to reclaim his leading man status. Getty Images
āItās one of those things where I know that Iām here for a reason, and I know that and as long as I do what I do and Iām good at what I do and Iām passionate about what I do, Godās will will be done,ā he said.
And as for critics who may think heās using faith to rehab his tainted image, he said: āItās that old saying: you canāt please people every time. But people who want to celebrate artistry, thatās my job and thatās my only mission in life.ā