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Shareef tells Chop about becoming addicted to meth and the impacts it has had on the relationships in his life. He is forthcoming about the choices he’s made over the past four years, since he last saw Chop. He’s in Chops chair for a high fade. While he has got himself clean and no longer deals drugs, he carries regret with him.
In Shareefs episode, he tells us about growing up with a gang affiliate dad, and how he tried to be like him. He recalls how his addiction took control of his life, and the consequences that had on his work.
He tells Chop about his regrets, letting himself get too far gone. For Shareef, his biggest regret was losing that time with his grandparents, but now he’s slowly rebuilding that relationship.
Shareef waits for his turn with Chop Photo: Tai Huri Films / Adam Jones
Drugs, Lies and Addiction
It’s been four years since Shareef last visited The Chop Shop. He’s been on one hell of a journey over the past couple of years and knows exactly what he’s after in terms of a haircut. There’s plenty he and Chop have to catch up on too, and Shareef isn’t holding back.
He came from a small place, school was difficult, he fell behind and experienced misunderstanding and bias for being feminine which had been perfectly acceptable and normalised within his whānau growing up. Shereef was inside the perfect storm.
Shareef watches on in the mirror Photo: Tai Huri Films / Adam Jones
His dad was in a gang, and then he got into drugs. That's when it really started to go wrong.
My dad's a gang affiliate and all that bro. You know… high all the time, lying all the time… it was real awkward… and then I started getting into dealing. Got caught up.
As he reflects back on events during those years, Shareef recalls the relationships that he sacrificed and the impacts his choices have had on his whānau. He lost his job, starting making the wrong choices and trying to walk and talk tough.
I just pushed myself away from everybody. I wanted to be masculine and really I got caught up in the wrong thing and it got super, super stupid. I was just so lost bro. Didn’t feel like I had that support system…When I actually did. It was there the whole time!
His biggest personal challenge was trying to live up to who he thought his father, a gangster, wanted him to be.
Shareef gets some final touch ups in the barbers chair. Photo: Tai Huri Films / Adam Jones
I was too busy trying to be someone I wasn’t.
He remembers his humble upbringing, the bond he had with his now ailing grandfather, and being a nanny’s boy. But his biggest regret was losing that time with them.
I grew up in a little caravan and shack on the side of the road. I grew up with my Nan. She took me when my parents were going through some hard times.
Those times are behind him now and Shareef is ready for a transformation. Perhaps, on this day, Chop may be just the person he needs.
Photo: supplied
