Tyler Perry Calls Out ‘Highbrow’ Critics of His Films: ‘Who Are You to Be Able to Say Which Black Story Is Important?’

As a long-time fan of Tyler Perry and someone who has grown up watching his movies, I can’t help but admire his unwavering dedication to telling stories that resonate with his community. Despite facing criticism from “highbrow” critics who may not fully understand the experiences and struggles of those in the communities he portrays, Perry remains undeterred.


Tyler Perry remains unfazed by the criticisms from sophisticated film critics as he continues to tell stories representative of his own community through his productions.

Perry expressed on the “Baby, This Is Keke Palmer” podcast that he is certain his actions align with what he’s meant to do. He shared that for each critic, he received countless emails from people expressing gratitude. These messages revealed how deeply he resonated with their experiences and understood their lives and families. It is these heartfelt connections that hold significance for him.

Critics have heavily criticized Perry’s new drama film “Divorce in the Black,” featuring Meagan Good and Cory Hardrict. Surprisingly, this production received a rare 0% approval rating from critics on Rotten Tomatoes. In contrast, the movie has garnered a positive response from audiences, with a current audience score of 75%.

In simpler terms, the film tells the story of Ava, a young bank employee, who is deeply hurt when her husband Dallas leaves her. Despite her strong desire to save their marriage, she eventually discovers Dallas’ deceitful actions that had previously thwarted her chances at true love with her soulmate.

Perry shared with host Palmer that he has learned to ignore critics’ comments over the years since a significant number of his fans, who feel underrepresented, continue to enjoy his films.

“He went on, ‘Those who can’t join me in the Volvo for weekend therapy.’ So, there’s this educated Black man, looking down his nose at everyone, and then there are people like us, the hardworking ones, who understand life from the ground up. Our mothers were caregivers for white families, working as maids, housekeepers, and even beauticians. Don’t dismiss these experiences as insignificant and claim that only certain Black stories deserve to be heard. Who are you to determine which Black narrative is valid or relevant? Let go of that nonsense.”

Listen to the full podcast episode below.

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2024-07-25 13:46