By: Amanda Anderson-Niles
Filmmaker Tyler Perry might be one of the most successful black people in movies, however, that doesn’t mean he isn’t a subject of criticism on a regular basis. In fact, one of Tyler’s recent films, “Temptation,” was panned by critics and it even managed to anger a lot of people in the HIV community. Although Tyler’s movies make millions when they hit the theater, he continues to be attacked and even accused of hurting the black race with some of his storylines and continuous plots on relationships, sex, and marriage. He recently admitted that it does bother him from time to time to read so many scathing reviews on his films, but he says he gets much more love from people who enjoy his movies and these people constantly tell him his movies have changed their lives and taught valuable life lessons. As a result, Tyler says he’s learned not to take everything said about him to heart and he’s learned how to decipher between constructive criticism from hatred.
Tyler may have plenty of critics, but you won’t find much criticism coming from the actors who have worked with him. In fact, actress Tasha Smith recently defended the filmmaker in a recent interview with BET and she says people should celebrate Tyler because he keeps black actors working:
“You have to respect him. He is a trailblazer, bottom line, he really is. If you even look at the way he works, people are looking at his [TV series show production] work model and are trying to duplicate it even to this day. Are We There Yet? with Terry Crews and Essence Atkins is one show that’s doing it and several other shows are modeling the Tyler Perry brand. Not only are they able to accomplish a lot of shows in a shorter period of time, but also the model is creating a lot of opportunities for actors that need to be employed. The truth is when it comes to actors, we need the Tyler Perrys, Salim Akils, and the Mara Brock Akils of the world because if we didn’t have their shows, our actors wouldn’t be able to make a living doing what they love to do. We have more reality TV shows that we do scripted TV shows. So what does that mean? You have a lot of amazing, talented unemployed actors. People should celebrate people like Tyler Perry.”
Does Tasha have a point? Speak on it below and tell us how you feel in the comment section.
I respect his hustle but he should work more on putting out more positive images of blacks. He needs to do better.
We don’t have to support someone just because they’re black…
I give him credit as a successful black man in Hollywood but some of his movies are just not to my liking. It’s understandable she defends him because he keeps her employed so of course she is going to be biased to the person who signs her checks.
Tyler is keeping black people typecast into stereotypical roles and does nothing to push perceptions of black people forward.
Umm why do they act like Tyler’s the only black director out here? He’s definitely not. THANK GOD.
Oh I give him props. I just wish me would improve and grow as a director.
Of course she would say this. Lol!
I think she’s missing the point. We’re glad he’s doing his thing & putting black actors to work. But that doesn’t mean we don’t expect him to come harder with his movies. And he should really want to improve at his craft.
Agreed!
I hate that black folks still act like we can’t criticize each other. He’s just not that good.
Black people are so hatful towards other blacks that are doing good. look at all these stupid reality tv shows embarrassing blacks not to mention the black idols in the mainstream music industry literally taking dumps on the late Martin Luther King Jr. grave. Tyler Perry is keeping it real and through a positive message and christian lessons but you want to stone him. Thats what white ppl want us to be divided and mentally supressed. bec if we were ever EVER united this whole world would flip literally. you don’t see them trashing their own, they sit back and laugh as we kill eachother for them.
Thats why they continue to feed us garbage and make us believe we are garbage, when really we are the powerhouse and a threat.