Tyler Perry has faced his share of criticism for his lack of variety in his storytelling as well as his lack of a writer’s room and directors. Now, Perry says he’s open to bringing in more talent.
In his new interview with Variety, Perry said he’s ready to bring in “fresh, exciting talent” for his various series.
Michelle Sneed, Tyler Perry Studios’ president of production and development, also added that she and Perry are “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.”
This new statement is different from Perry’s original stance earlier this year when he famously tweeted about writing every episode for the upcoming seasons of his shows. The tweet led to a firestorm of backlash, including some comments from Lil Rel Howery, who critiqued him for having a show like Sistas without hiring any Black women writers.
“I love Tyler Perry and I’m proud of him…but I told myself I’m going to say something because I don’t agree with that,” he said during a February interview on Deadline’s New Hollywood Podcast. “You can’t write a show called Sistas you’re not a sista. So you don’t want no suggestions or nothin?”
The cast of Sistas also responded to the critiques, blaming the criticism on a “culture of hateration.” Perry himself also defended his decision to write all of his series in an interview with Shadow and Act during press for Netflix’s A Fall from Grace, “I am very specific about who I’m writing for, who I’m writing to, and whether there’s a discourse, that’s on them. For me, I know exactly what I’m doing. I know exactly who I’m speaking to,” he said. “That’s why The Haves and Have Nots returned at number one. That’s why The Oval is number one. That’s why Sistas is number two. So I have the one, two and three top shows among African American people, so if people don’t get that, that’s on them. I got me. I know what I’m doing. So whatever discourse it is, they can have that.”
READ MORE:
Tyler Perry Responds To The Discourse Surrounding His Writers’ Room Tweet
Lil Rel On Tyler Perry: ‘You Can’t Write A Show Called ‘Sistas’ And You’re Not A Sista’
‘Sistas’ Cast Defends Tyler Perry Amid Writers’ Room Criticism: ‘There Is A Culture Of Hateration’
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