In spite of his success there have been critics suggesting that Perry’s flaunting of African-American stereotypes amount to blackface. And there’s no question that among his many characters he does straddle the racial divide, but his target audience is black and their support alone has built his brand, and have afforded him a lifestyle fit for a king.
EBM: The breadth of your accomplishments has left some describing you as a “Renaissance Man.” How do you describe yourself?
Tyler Perry: I’m just a po-dunk brotha from New Orleans, Louisiana. The only difference is that I had a dream and regardless of the consequences I was going to live out my dream.
EBM: Man, did you. Ten years ago nobody knew you, but now you’re one of Hollywood’s hottest tickets. Do you think that has anything to do with luck?
Tyler Perry: I don’t know if you can attribute God’s plan to luck. Isn’t that marginalizing His greatness? I believed in myself when all others were ridiculing me, and saying how foolish I was to be wasting time on a shot in the dark. But my faith never wavered.
EBM: You did face many challenges, but is there any one challenge that almost knocked you off your path?
Tyler Perry: That’s a tough call. Are you asking me have I ever questioned myself about my choices? Of course, I think when you’re faced with so much, you almost unconsciously question yourself, but if you have faith you’re always re-directed, and put back in your lane.
EBM: What seems especially remarkable in your case is that you experienced terrible abuse at the hands of “loved” ones, being sexually assaulted as a child. How were you able to overcome that and continue toward greatness?
Tyler Perry: Again, I think it’s more about faith and realizing your inner strength. I mean, the true power we possess as human beings is incredible. We come from a believing blood line, almost since the beginning. Our ancestors believed that they would overcome and they did. I’m just staying true to that mantra.
EBM: Whether because of business or political considerations, Hollywood ends up producing very few films about black experiences. How do you deal with that situation?
Tyler Perry: I feel like it’s the job of me and others in my position to create relevant material that deserves to be on the big screen. Although the Hollywood situation does have problems, there is more opportunity today for people of color to show their perspective on the big screen than there was in the past, and I’m living proof of that. But once we get the chance, we can’t flounder and put out weak material. I have to continue to produce worthwhile subject matter or I become irrelevant.
EBM: You’re now one of Hollywood’s biggest earners. How does that sit with you?
Tyler Perry: I’m not sure if I even know what that means. Does that mean I can “green light” any project? Or anything I produce gets number one billing? You’d be a fool to think that. I just want to continue being a part of the “new” Hollywood, and represent our people in a positive light.
EBM: Your relationship with Oprah is also well publicized. What is the most important thing she’s told you or taught you?
Tyler Perry: The importance of giving back. She is enormously successful yet her internal beauty and generosity is her greatest gift. She’s truly something special.
EBM: What was the inspiration for your most recent film, Madea goes to jail?
Tyler Perry: The last few movies I did had more of a serious message but with Madea you get light-heartedness. She’s the character my audience immediately connects with.
EBM: Do you ever want to change directions and put her away for good?
Tyler Perry: I don’t think I would be able to. Again, it’s probably the single most requested character in film. (Laughing) She has a built-in audience that goes with her everywhere she goes.
EBM: Your films all have humor in them. Why?
Tyler Perry: In experiencing so much pain myself, I’ve found that laughter is the key to getting past the pain. It’s a bridge over troubled waters.
EBM: Your films ride the line between entertainment and social commentary. How do you approach your films to see that both objectives are met?
Tyler Perry: As an African American, when you’ve been given a platform and a voice, you have a moral obligation and a responsibility to be sure that what you say includes positive ideas. Anyone looking at our society now knows that we need to be positive. So I’m always conscious of that.
EBM: Your films all seem to have lots of good-hearted entertainment as well as important concept and character. What’s your thinking here?
Tyler Perry: I want it to show Hollywood that when we produce that type of good, entertaining story – it will attract a wide audience. I think this sends a clear message that people want good positive stories, that we want to enjoy films and have fun and we want something that’s going to be uplifting.
EBM: How have you overcome adversity in your life?
Tyler Perry: I’ve always had faith knowing that everything is going to be okay, and God would whisper to me that it was going to be okay. I still have that.
EBM: What’s Your favorite Bible verse?
Tyler Perry: I’ve got a lot of favorite verses and it depends on what I’m going through at the time. My favorite one I’ll paraphrase as “Your gift will make room for you if you hold on and believe.” I believe that no matter what you’re working at, and no matter how crowded “the room” is, your gift will make room for you.
EBM: How does faith inform you work?
Tyler Perry: Most of my films have some sort of spiritual message. That theme of faith is very profound for us all.
EBM: What gave you the inner strength to push through obstacles in your life?
Tyler Perry: Extreme perseverance. You must have that strength within you. There have been lots of times when I didn’t know if I was going to make it and I didn’t know how to get there, but I kept going. Hard work and prayer will take you through it.
EBM: Toni Morrison, winner of the Nobel and Pulitzer prizes, says she’s not a disciplined writer by nature that she has to force herself to write every morning.
Tyler Perry: (He laughs.) Well, I’m not a disciplined writer either. I can never say I’m going to have a script ready at this time or that. Sometimes I’m on a plane or I’m driving and a story will come to me in scenes -- some dramatic, some funny – and then I find the common thread, which always includes God, faith, and forgiveness.
EBM: Describe yourself as a creative artist
Tyler Perry: Intricate. There are so many sides. There’s the comedic side, which has to answer to the side that feels a moral obligation in my story-telling, and both sides have to be served in my films.
EBM: What are your three favorite films of all time?
Tyler Perry: Wow! My favorite films of all time, let’s see…... ”The Shawshank Redemption” and “The Color Purple.” I haven’t yet seen the third one; perhaps it hasn’t been made yet.
EBM: Now that you’ve accomplished so much, what’s left for Tyler Perry?
Tyler Perry: To continue improving my production company, maybe get married, have children, grow old. (He laughs.) Who knows? I’m just looking forward to tomorrow.
EBM: What are some of your upcoming projects?
Tyler Perry: I’m really excited about “Madea Goes to Jail?” It’s a really warm and funny story. Also, the television show, House of Payne, is doing well, and we’re in development of some other projects.
EBM: So 2009-10 appears to be bright as well.
Tyler Perry: Hopefully.
EBM: What advice do you have for people who admire your success?
Tyler Perry: If you wake up every day with a feeling for one important thing – whether it’s painting, writing, singing, or something else -- then that is your thing. And if that one thing stays with you, then that is your destiny.
EBM: Thank you for your time.
