Tyler Perry is unfazed by critics he labels “highbrow Negroes.” In a recent interview on Keke Palmer’s podcast, Baby, This Is Keke Palmer, Perry discussed his resilience and commitment to his storytelling style despite constant criticism.
Tyler Perry’s Authenticity
Perry emphasized the importance of remaining true to oneself. “You gotta drown all of that out,” he said. “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 continued, “I know for a fact that what I’m doing is exactly what I’m supposed to be doing.”
Perry values feedback from his fans, particularly those who feel seen and understood by his work. “For everyone who is a critic, I have thousands of emails from people saying, ‘This changed my life. Oh my God, you know me,’” he shared.
Movie Criticism
Perry’s latest film, Divorce In The Black, faced harsh reviews, earning a 0% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Despite this, leading actor Cory Hardrict defended Perry, saying, “The people love the movie, and we do it for the people.” He added, “As long as the people see it, then I’m happy.”
Perry criticized those who look down on his work, especially those disconnected from the struggles he represents. “A large portion of my fans are disenfranchised,” Perry noted. “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.”
He strongly believes in the significance of his stories. “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?”
Perry’s dedication to his craft remains unwavering. He explained his disciplined approach to criticism, stating, “Great, have your opinion… I live from this seat tempered, measured, patient, prayerful, and disciplined… I’m always disciplined about everything. I step back, I count, I watch, I see which way I need to move; I don’t rush into comments.”