Movie mogul Tyler Perry is facing yet another lawsuit.

This time Perry, who’s known for his gospel based plays, is facing a lawsuit over a gospel song about the Devil that was used on an episode of “Meet the Browns”. (more…)

Atlanta-based movie mogul Tyler Perry has went to his website to aid in relief missions in Haiti. The super producer has pledged several donations to Haiti’s relief efforts, with the first donation totaling $250,000.

According to the site, the actor/entrepreneur will make the donation through his foundation, the Tyler Perry Foundation and went to his website to encourage others to do the same: (more…)

According to Access Atlanta, Perry sent out posts on his FaceBook and Twitter pages late Tuesday morning, directing fans and followers to his Web site saying, “I just sent out an email that I’d like to share with you. Please check it out.” The announcement turned out to be a prayer request for his ailing mother who had been sick since late August. The cause of death has not been disclosed.

Maxine Perry was a pre-school teacher who worked at the New Orleans Jewish Community Center most of her life. Perry, 40, is said to have gotten inspiration from his mother, as well as his aunt, for his popular “Madea” character.

“In Loving Memory. Willie Maxine Perry. February 12, 1945 to December 8, 2009″

Tyler Perry’s infamous Madea character will be pounding the pavement soon. No… Tyler hasn’t retired the grey haired matronly character, but is returning her to her roots. The chitlin circuit. Tyler announced recently via his email message blog (yeah he’s old school), that a new Madea play will be headed on tour in several cities nationwide.

I wanted to tell you this before the tickets went on sale in most places….Madea is officially going on tour!  That’s right, a Madea play, live on tour!  I have managed to carve out about a year to go on the road and see you all again.

I gotta tell you, I have missed you.  There is nothing like a live performance and if you’ve never seen a Madea play, then you haven’t seen Madea at all.  It is an experience, just ask someone who’s seen it…..SMILE

It’s been 5 years since I’ve been on the road and the timing just happened to fall right into place.  I needed to get away from Hollywood for a second…clear my head.  There is no better way to do that than to come out and see your faces and be reminded of where this all started.

The show is called MADEA’S BIG HAPPY FAMILY.  I’m going to come through as many cities as I can.  I know I can’t get to all of them but I’ll try and get as close as I can.

Did he actually type “smile”? I can’t.

Regardless of the countless criticism received, the Madea saga just keeps right on rolling. I guess nothing can stop a wealthy Black man in a dress! Check out a list of planned tour dates below: (more…)

Tyler Perry has donated a cool milli to the NAACP to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the civil rights organization. In a press release issued early yesterday, The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People said the gift is the largest donation from an individual in the organization’s history. (more…)

The trailer had been released for the upcoming sequel to Tyler Perry’s “Why Did I Get Married” entitled “Why Did I Get Married Too”. Janet Jackson will reprise her role as Patricia Agnew along with other castmates from the original, including Lahmann Rucker, Tasha Smith, Malik Yoba, Jill Scott and Cicely Tyson.  Also, according to the movie’s Wikipedia page, the new movie will also feature singer Keyshia Cole in her acting debut.

Check out the trailer below: (more…)

Dr. Cornel West addressed the Tyler Perry vs. Spike Lee controversy during his book tour in Atlanta last week. In case you’ve missed all the hoopla, Tyler Perry has been facing extreme criticism over his portrayal of Black America in his films and plays. Spike Lee was even quoted comparing Tyler’s Meet The Browns characters to a modern day Amos & Andy:

‘I think there’s a lot of stuff out today that is coonery and buffoonery. I see ads for ‘Meet the Browns’ and ‘House of Payne’ and I’m scratching my head. We’ve got a black president and we’re going back. The image is troubling and it harkens back to Amos ‘n’ Andy.”

Tyler responded via a 60 minutes interview where he was visibly upset about the comment and stated that he uses the characters as “bait” to draw in White America then hits them with storylines consisting of God, love, faith, forgiveness and family. Dr. West, in addressing the “beef” between the two filmmakers made a few comparisons as to why each approaches their subject matter differently.  The well-known public intellectual spoke of Lee’s background as a well-to-do Morehouse Grad versus Tyler’s abusive childhood and life on the streets.  He goes on to explain how Spike Lee is a GREAT filmmaker while Tyler Perry is a GOOD filmmaker and although Spike’s comments may have been based with good intentions, the delivery could have been better.

You’ll have to watch the video to understand but West didn’t diss Tyler, he actually gave him props. He does, however state that if Tyler’s still doing Madea at 65 THEN he has a problem.  I guess that gives us about 25 more years of Madea since TP just turned 40.

Video below: (more…)

Tyler Perry, who recently turned 40 in September of this year, went to his blog to express how the new film “Precious” ignited some hurtful memories of his childhood. Perry, an executive producer of the film which details an young teen’s struggles with an abusive mother, is no stranger to hardship but he’s taken those painful memories and used them to create powerful movies and plays. As he shared details of his abusive upbringing Perry states: “Turning 40 is such a blessing. Especially because as I child I always thought I would die before I grew up.”

In his recent message to his fans, Tyler reveals being molested by a woman when he was 10 years old, beatings from his father and also speaks about an experience where his grandmother forced him into an “ammonia bath.”  The blog is detailed and disturbing, however Tyler’s cathartic writing led him to the key to all his successes: Forgiveness.

If you’re having a hard time getting over something in your life, maybe you can try forgiveness too. It’s not easy, but it does bring forth healing. I know that there are a lot of people out there with stories far worse than mine but you, too, can make it. To those of you who have, welcome to life. I celebrate you.

I love receiving Tyler’s messages in my inbox. They’re always so uplifting and spiritual and this one gives way more insight into Tyler Perry as a person.  Read more of his message, entitled “We’re All Precious in His Sight” below: (more…)