O’Shea Jackson Jr., known for his role in “Straight Outta Compton” and as the son of rapper Ice Cube, is making headlines once again. After finishing filming for the highly anticipated third installment of “Den of Thieves,” Jackson Jr. is taking the opportunity to showcase his impressive transformation following significant weight loss.
In a recent Instagram post dated September 30, he proudly displayed his newly sculpted physique, standing between two elliptical machines in a gym environment. Clad in gray shorts and a black tank top, Jackson Jr. revealed his dedication to fitness by sharing his progress with his followers. “9 months down. Give me another 9 and it’s GGs,” he stated, emphasizing his commitment to achieving his fitness goals. However, demonstrating confidence in his journey, he added, “Meh. Let’s call it another 6 months. D3N of THI3V3S. Den 3 coming.”
This transformation follows a period when fans playfully referred to him as a “snow cone” or a “Teddy Graham.” They will certainly have to revise their opinions after witnessing his hard work pay off. As he subtly flexed his muscles by extending his left arm across his abdomen, it was evident he had devoted countless hours in the gym. Yet, the NAACP Image Award winner was quick to note that his journey is far from over.
The reception to Jackson Jr.’s fitness post was overwhelmingly positive, with fans pouring in supportive comments alongside humorous jabs. One commenter quipped, “Yooo you finna turn into incredible hulk lol. But I respect you fam you doing your thing.” Another fan made a playful nod to his father, writing, “That’s his son Ice Block.” A third enthusiast remarked, “Looking sharp already big man.”
When a follower tried to downplay his achievements, Jackson Jr. wasn’t shy about responding. In a light-hearted exchange, he acknowledged a comment about his legs by stating, “Gotta get them legs tho. Too many guys out here looking like Johnny Bravo lol.” His answer came with a mix of humor and confidence, as he wrote, “lol Black people can’t have sh-t. I said 6 more months man dang lol.” The fan quickly clarified, appreciating his journey: “I’m just messing with you, brother. Love the progress and can’t wait for the third movie. Big fan!” to which Jackson Jr. graciously responded, “Appreciate you, man. No trainer yet. So now that I’m done filming, I’m bouta really get after it.”
Back in July, Jackson Jr.’s weight loss became apparent during his guest appearance on the podcast “INSIGHT with Chris Van Vliet.” Footage from the show highlighted his noticeably slimmer figure. Fans were quick to notice, attributing his changing appearance to his fitness efforts. He confirmed that he had been working out consistently since January, making his progress even more remarkable. By the time of the podcast, he had already been on his fitness regimen for half a year.
Jackson Jr. acknowledged that his weight had fluctuated since portraying his father in the 2015 biopic, where he was notably at his leanest. While he had not been very active on social media regarding his physical changes, many began to notice his weight gain during promotional events for the “Den of Thieves” sequel late in 2022 and early 2023.
Though it remains uncertain whether the encouragement from fans spurred him to start working out or if he found the motivation on his own, Jackson Jr. now appears to be on a focused path toward health and fitness. With summer approaching, he is hopeful about reaching his body goals by next year, marking a significant and inspiring change in his life.
