Tyler Perry has built an empire by staying true to his vision, and he’s unapologetic about it. In a recent interview with The Times of London, the filmmaker, producer, and actor revealed he hasn’t read a single critic’s review of his work in 20 years.
“You have to understand how I grew up,” Perry explained, reflecting on a childhood where harsh words shaped his resilience. “What this person says about me doesn’t matter because that’s not true.”
At 55, Perry runs his productions with unparalleled efficiency. He writes every project himself—spending up to 14 hours a day for weeks at a time—and resists edits, declaring, “If you’ve hired me to speak to my audience, then you have to let me do that.”
While critics often take aim at his films, his audience remains devoted. Perry’s projects, like the highest-rated I Can Do Bad All By Myself (62% on Rotten Tomatoes), resonate deeply with viewers who feel seen in his storytelling. “For everyone who is a critic, I have thousands of emails from people saying, ‘This changed my life,’” he shared on Keke Palmer’s podcast, Baby, This Is Keke Palmer.
He rejects the notion that only certain Black stories are worth telling, passionately defending the experiences of underrepresented communities. “Don’t discount these people and say that their story doesn’t matter,” Perry insisted.
With The Six Triple Eight—his latest film—now in theaters, Tyler Perry remains a force driven by purpose, determined to spotlight voices too often overlooked. For him, it’s about changing lives, not winning over critics.
