50 Cent loses tats, weight for movie role

HOLLYWOOD, May 27 (UPI) -- U.S. rapper 50 Cent says it took him more than two months to shed about 50 pounds to play a cancer-riddled football player in the film "Things Fall Apart."

The rapper, real name Curtis Jackson, said he lost the weight with a liquid diet and strict exercise regimen that lasted more than two months, People magazine reported Thursday.

He also removed his collection of tattoos for the role.

Besides "Things Fall Apart," due next year, 50 Cent is co-starring with Chace Crawford in the drama "Twelve." He also kicks off his U.S. tour Friday in Cleveland.