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15 Celebrity "Moesha" Cameos That Live In My Head Rent-Free

"Mo to the E to the..."

Caché Roberts
by Caché Roberts

BuzzFeed Contributor

Moesha was a culture phenomenon, especially in the Black community, and it still is today.

Big Ticket Television/ UPN / Via giphy.com

So many shows are known for having celebrity cameos, and Moesha is especially known for its perfecting casting when it came to very f guest-stars that were done perfectly. Check out some of the best cameos on Moesha.

Moesha dancing intro to show "Moesha"
Big Television/ UPN

With Moesha already having some very famous celebs in the main lineup (Brandy and Ray J,) it's no surprise these celebrities have made appearances.

1. Kobe Bryant

Kobe Bryant on the red carpet on left; Kobe Bryant starring in "Moesha" on right
Kevin Winter / Getty Images; Big Ticket Television/ UPN

In the episode, "The Whistle Blower," Kobe Bryant made his acting debut at 18 years old in 1996, right before playing in the NBA. Kobe took Moesha to his senior prom at Lower Merion High School, and then appeared in an episode of the show, playing the star athlete, Terry Hightower, who Moesha helped retake the SATs. 

2. Lil' Kim

Lil' Kim attending Christian Siriano Spring 2022 fashion show on left; Lil' Kim in "Moesha" on right
Gilbert Carrasquillo / GC Images; Big Ticket Television/ UPN

Iconic rapper, Lil' Kim, appeared in the episode, "Paying the Piper," and played Diamond, the girlfriend of one of D-Money's prison buds. 

3. Usher

Usher on the red carpet on the left; Usher in "Moesha" on the right
Paras Griffin / Getty Images for Beloved Benefit; Big Ticket Television/ UPN

Usher also started acting in Moesha and appeared in several episodes of the show as the protagonist's love interest, Jeremy Davis. He also sang the classic song, "U Remind Me" to Moesha, which was adorable. 

4. Gabrielle Union

Gabrielle Union at a movie premiere on the left; Gabrielle Union appearing on "Moesha" on right
Jon Kopaloff / Getty Images; Big Ticket Television/ UPN

Before Gabrielle Union became the legendary cheerleader on Bring It On, she was Ashli, the head of the cheerleading squad, at Moesha's high school, which is honestly perfect foreshadowing of her future in acting!

5. Mary J. Blige

Mary J. Blige on the red carpet on the left; Mary J. Blige singing in "Moesha" on the right
David M. Benett / Dave Benett / Getty Images for Flipper's Roller Boogie Palace; Big Ticket Television/ UPN

Mary J. Blige made a cameo on Moesha as herself and sang "All That I Can Say" at a Vibe magazine party.  

6. LeAnn Rimes

LeAnn Rimes at the 2022 CMT Awards on the left; LeAnn Rimes in "Moesha" on the right
Jason Kempin / Getty Images for CMT; Big Ticket Television/ UPN

In "Ohmigod, Fanatic," Moesha and Kim (Countess Vaughn) get selected for MTV's Fanatic and get to meet country singer LeAnn Rimes, who played herself in the 1999 episode.  

7. Octavia Spencer

Octavia Spencer at Apple TV's "Truth Be Told" premiere on left; Octavia Spencer on the right in "Moesha"
Robin L Marshall / FilmMagic; Big Ticket Television/ UPN

In the episode "Teacher," Academy Award-winner Octavia Spencer appeared as Gloria Eckhart. She's a friend of Moesha's parents and may have a romantic history with Moesha's dad. 

8. Jamie Foxx

Jamie Foxx on the red carpet on the left; Jamie Foxx in "Moesha" on the right
Rodin Eckenroth / Getty Images; Big Ticket Television/ UPN

Famous actor and singer Jamie Foxx appeared on Moesha as Woody in "Driving Miss Moesha." He played an insurance salesman and Hakim's cousin. 

9. Maya Angelou

Maya Angelou giving a speech on the left; Maya Angelou acting in "Moesha" on the right
Larry Marano / Getty Images; Big Ticket Television/ UPN

How did Moesha get renowned poet Maya Angelou in an episode? Maya Angelou plays her legendary self and tries to convince Moesha to go back to college after Moesha lands a job with her.

10. Bow Wow

Bow Wow at an event on the left; Lil' Bow Wow in "Moesha" on the right
Thaddaeus Mcadams / WireImage; Big Ticket Television/ UPN

The hilarious "That's My Mama" episode features Dorian (Ray J) watching his defiant siblings — one of them being Lil' Bow Wow. 

11. Tyrese Gibson

Tyrese Gibson on the red carpet on the left; Tyrese Gibson acting in "Moesha" on the right
Steve Granitz / FilmMagic; Big Ticket Television/ UPN

Tyrese Gibson plays Troy in the episode "The Player." When Moesha wants to play matchmaker and help Niecy (Shar Jackson) find a man, she finds out the guy she set her up with is actually the campus player.

12. Mo'Nique

Mo'Nique on the red carpet on the left; Mo'Nique playing in "Moesha" on the right
Barry King / Getty Images; Big Ticket Television/ UPN

Mo'Nique plays Nikki Carter in the "It Takes Two" episode. The episode set up the Moesha spinoff, The Parkers, featuring mother-daughter duo Kim and Nikki.

13. A Tribe Called Quest

View this video on YouTube
Big Ticket Television/ UPN / Via youtube.com

In Season 2 of Moesha, the NY hip-hop group, A Tribe Called Quest appeared on the show as themselves to perform "Stressed Out." 

14. Shemar Moore

Shemar Moore on red carpet on the left; Shemar Moore in "Moesha" on the right
Paul Archuleta / Getty Images; Big Ticket Television/ UPN

Shemar Moore guest-starred in the episode, "Had to be You," as Andell's (Yvette Wilkerson) college boyfriend who proposes to her. Andell is then left with a difficult decision: Picking her college crush or Bernie, her new current beau. 

15. DMX

DMX attending a party
Prince Williams / WireImage

DMX is the musical talent during the "Gimme a Break" episode. He plays himself and performs "What's My Name" during Moesha, Niecy, and Hakim's spring break in Santa Barbara. 

Was there a celebrity cameo that you loved that didn't make the list? Tell us about it in the comments below!

In the meantime, you can stream Moesha on Netflix, Hulu, Prime Video, and Paramount+.

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Logan Perrin / BuzzFeed