Tyler Perry Opens Up About Childhood Abuse

Access Hollywood - October 6, 2009 1:35 PM PDT
Story photo: Tyler Perry Opens Up About Childhood AbuseTyler Perry smiles on the NAACP red carpetGetty ImagesAccess Hollywood

LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Tyler Perry is one of the big names behind the new film about abuse and incest, "Precious," and in a blog on his personal Web page, the "Madea" star revealed there are some very personal reasons he got behind the film.

Perry, who wrote the blog post less than a month after his 40th birthday, which occurred on Sept. 13, said watching the film brought back not only memories of pain, but also a deep appreciation for having survived an abusive childhood.

VIEW THE PHOTOS: The Latest Star Sightings

"I watched [Precious'] mother be unusually cruel to her and I realized at that moment that a large part of my childhood had just played out before my eyes," Perry wrote of the film he signed on to Executive Produce with Oprah Winfrey, the proceeds of which are going to various charities. "It hit me so hard, I sat there in tears realizing that somehow, by the grace of God, I made it through. My tears were tears of joy, being thankful that I made it."

In his open and extremely revealing letter, Perry recounted details of his alleged abuse at the hands of his father, his paternal grandmother and alleged sexual abuse at the hands of neighbors. And he also explained how he was able to survive.

VIEW THE PHOTOS: Photo Fun With Hollywood's Hottest Comedians!

"I was asked recently how I made it through all of this... and my answer to that is...I know for a fact that there is a GOD," he wrote. "When my father would say or do those things to me, I would hear this voice inside of me say, 'That's not true' or, 'Don't believe that.'"

Perry explained he came out on the other side of abuse by learning how to forgive.

"To know that the little boy that I was went through all that -- he went through and made it. Then me, as a man...I have to take on the responsibility of forgiving all of those people. I owe it to that little boy that I was and, more than that, I owe it to the man that I am," he wrote.

VIEW THE PHOTOS: Oprah Winfrey

To read more of Perry's blog, click HERE.

Related Content from AccessHollywood.com:
PLAY IT NOW: Tyler Perry's 'I Can Do Bad All By Myself,' NYC Premiere (September 8, 2009)
PLAY IT NOW: Tyler Perry Talks 'The Family That Preys'

MORE ACCESS ON THESE TOPICS: Tyler Perry - Movies - TV One - Oprah Winfrey

comments

show comments

comments

comments 1-10 of 11  |< newest · < newer · older > · oldest >|  hide comments · post a comment
  • keisha
    MR.PERRY KEEPUP THE GOOD WORK EVERY SHOW U MAKE TOUCH EVERYONE IN AVERY SPECIAL WAY.ITS A WORLD WE CANT CHANGE THE PAST.WE CAN MAKE A BEATIFUL FUTURE.IM 30 AND JUST REALIZED ITS A SUCH THING CALLED THE( DOWNSOUTH SECRETS)!ITS CRAZY HOW OUR GENERATION DO NOT PROTECET OUR KIDS.I LUV THE FACT THAT U HAVE FAMILY SHOWS ON IT REALLY BRINGS A HOME TOGETHER.I AND MY FAMILY LUV U.
    report abuseposted October 14, 2009 5:30 AM PDT
  • keisha
    MR.PERRY KEEPUP THE GOOD WORK EVERY SHOW U MAKE TOUCH EVERYONE IN AVERY SPECIAL WAY.ITS A WORLD WE CANT CHANGE THE PAST.WE CAN MAKE A BEATIFUL FUTURE.IM 30 AND JUST REALIZED ITS A SUCH THING CALLED THE( DOWNSOUTH SECRETS)!ITS CRAZY HOW OUR GENERATION DO NOT PROTECET OUR KIDS.I LUV THE FACT THAT U HAVE FAMILY SHOWS ON IT REALLY BRINGS A HOME TOGETHER.I AND MY FAMILY LUV U.
    report abuseposted October 14, 2009 5:30 AM PDT
  • keisha
    MR.PERRY KEEPUP THE GOOD WORK EVERY SHOW U MAKE TOUCH EVERYONE IN AVERY SPECIAL WAY.ITS A WORLD WE CANT CHANGE THE PAST.WE CAN MAKE A BEATIFUL FUTURE.IM 30 AND JUST REALIZED ITS A SUCH THING CALLED THE( DOWNSOUTH SECRETS)!ITS CRAZY HOW OUR GENERATION DO NOT PROTECET OUR KIDS.I LUV THE FACT THAT U HAVE FAMILY SHOWS ON IT REALLY BRINGS A HOME TOGETHER.I AND MY FAMILY LUV U.
    report abuseposted October 14, 2009 5:30 AM PDT
  • Jahiesha
    Also I truly believe that there's a God. I think your plays are good. You did d right thing about your abuse.
    report abuseposted October 7, 2009 4:42 PM PDT
  • Rebecca
    How brave. A truly admirable act of Tyler Perry to bring light to his own abuse and so bring light to the plight of all abused.
    report abuseposted October 7, 2009 7:25 AM PDT
  • keepingitreal
    There are so many people who could learn so much by the way Mr. Perry and Ms. Winfrey conduct themselves in this world. They are the true definition of class.
    report abuseposted October 7, 2009 6:45 AM PDT
  • ///doghawks/
    they're not getting no attention in their life, so they have to use child abuse to get it, more losers
    report abuseposted October 7, 2009 6:44 AM PDT
  • Jakc
    Wow,Search " Nice Luxury Bags " on google to get the disgner luxury bags,ＮＩＣＥＬＵＸＵＲＹＢＡＧＳ。ＣＯＭ is just for fashion ladies.As louis vuitton ,chanel,Hermes,etc.Free wallet promotion is now.
    report abuseposted October 7, 2009 6:25 AM PDT
  • Cindy
    Tyler Perry is an awesome playwrite and a wonderful and inspiring person! If you haven't seen his plays and/or movies you are missing out! I went through an abusive childhood and some relationships and I gained some really useful insights and courage from them. Thank you for all you do Mr. Perry
    report abuseposted October 6, 2009 2:58 PM PDT
  • Lindsay
    I found a great dating site________S e e k i n g R i c h . C o m________. The best dating club for seeking the rich singles, sexy beauties and even hot celebs.. what's the most important is that you dont have to be a millionaire.but you can meet one. I think everyone need to meet some miracle after all the terrible stuff in the news and the economy .You should check it out!!! GGGGGGG
    report abuseposted October 6, 2009 2:35 PM PDT
comments 1-10 of 11  |< newest · < newer · older > · oldest >| 

Post A Comment

sign in to post a comment.

sign in

RELATED ARTICLES

RELATED PHOTOS

RELATED VIDEOS

Updates

Manage My Updates
Manage My Updates
More Updates »

omg!

MORE ENTERTAINMENT

ALSO ON YAHOO!

Help us to improve! - Send Your Suggestions