Tyler Perry has finally responded to the widespread comments about his latest film, Divorce in the Black – and the gloves are off!
In a recent interview with Keke Palmer on her “Baby, This Is Keke Palmer” podcast, Perry discussed his journey from playing Madea on stage to becoming one of the most influential Black men in Hollywood. However, when Palmer brought up the recent criticism of his Meagan Good-led film, Perry delivered a sharp rebuttal.
“You gotta drown all of that out, because if you let somebody talk you out of a place that God has put you in, you are going to find yourself in hell,” he began.
“I know for a fact that what I’m doing is exactly what I’m supposed to be doing, because for everyone who is a critic, I have thousands of—what used to be—emails from people saying, ‘This changed my life. Oh my God, you know me. Oh my God, you saw me. How did you know this about my life and my family?’ That is what is important to me.”
He continued, “A large portion of my fans are disenfranchised, who cannot get in the Volvo and go to therapy on the weekend. So, you’ve got this highbrow negro who is all up in the air with his nose up looking at everything, then you got people like where I come from, and me, who are grinders, who really know what it’s like.
“Whose mothers were caregivers for white kids, and were maids, housekeepers…beauticians. Don’t discount these people and say their stories don’t matter. Who are you to be able to say which Black story is important, or should be told? Get out of here with that bullshit.”
Soon after Perry’s remarks surfaced online, the multihyphenate faced backlash but found a friend in his corner, Keke Palmer.
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), she wrote: “The enemy isn’t Tyler it’s the system that makes it hard for multiple black artist to shine at one time. Oppression turns you against the person that gets the shine opposed to questioning why there can only be so few at a time.
“Tyler is not the gatekeeper of all black stories he’s just one creative who broke through the system. Advocating for others to do the same is the fight, not hating Tyler for his work that many do love.”
The enemy isn’t Tyler it’s the system that makes it hard for multiple black artist to shine at one time. Oppression turns you against the person that gets the shine opposed to questioning why there can only be so few at a time.
— Keke Palmer (@KekePalmer) July 25, 2024
Tyler is not the gatekeeper of all black stories… https://t.co/Duj5k8GDmN
On July 11, 2024, Divorce in the Black, which premiered exclusively on Prime Video, was met with a 0% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The film, featuring Meagan Good as Ava, who grapples with the aftermath of her husband Dallas leaving their marriage, also stars Cory Hardrict. Hardrict, who has previously defended the film, stands by it despite the critical reception.
“I don’t know nothing about it. I didn’t see that,” said Hardrict speaking to TMZ. “I mean, the people love the movie and we do it for the people–that’s who I do it for. If the culture’s rocking with it, it’s all love. So it’s fine. But as long as the people see it, my neighborhood see it, South Side, Chicago, L.A. see it, everybody see it, then I’m happy, it’s all love.”