Entertainment mogul Tyler Perry, who was criticized after revealing that he does the writing for all his movies and TV shows, is changing course.
TheGrio has reported that the director, known for not having a “writer’s room,” is ready to employ writers and his team is “super excited about the young, up-and-coming filmmakers and new writers” that they are working with.
Here’s what Michelle Sneed, president of production and development for Tyler Perry Studios said, “We’re super excited about the young, up-and-coming filmmakers and new writers that we’re working with. Tyler has solidified his place in the industry, his brand is amazing, and we’ll continue to grow that. Then on the other side, we’re working on promoting, providing a platform, and advocating for this new talent, both in front of and behind the camera.”
Perry also spoke to
Variety about the criticism he’s received for years about the portrayal of his characters in his movies. People, except his audience, were quick to state that Perry had a penchant to base the characters on stereotypical or negative depictions of Black people. Some even suggested that since he was the sole writer for all his movies, that it wasn’t up to par.To which he said, “When I hear that kind of stuff, I’m thinking, ‘Are y’all looking at the ratings? Do you understand that the audience is in love with this?’” he says. “Because if you’re complaining about my writing, you’re not the audience. My audience loves the way that it’s done and the way the stories are told. And from the beginning, it’s always been about being true to them.”
Back in September, the Hollywood executive
became the seventh Black American billionaire, joining the ranks of tech investor and philanthropist Robert F. Smith, NBA legend Michael Jordan, media mogul Oprah Winfrey, and tech founder David Stewart, along with hip-hop heavyweights Jay-Z and Kanye West.