Once again, Tyler Perry is set to write and direct another project. In his robust deal with Netflix, the mogul is doing just that with his upcoming drama “Straw,” starring Taraji P. Henson, Sherri Shepherd, and Teyana Taylor. Nice cast!
The story seems interesting enough and centers on a single mother who faces a series of unfortunate events that lead her down an unexpected path.
Check out more from the official logline: “She becomes entangled in a situation she never imagined and finds herself at the center of suspicion in a world that seems indifferent to her existence.”
The cast includes Glynn Turman, Sinbad, Rockmond Dunbar, and Mike Merrill. Perry will produce the movie alongside Angi Bones and Tony Strickland.
As mentioned “Straw” is part of Perry’s ongoing creative collaboration with Netflix, the world’s biggest streaming studio, under a multi-year, first-look deal, which includes other projects like “The Six Triple Eight” and the drama series “Beauty in Black.”
ICYMI, Perry’s recent works include “Mea Culpa,” “A Fall From Grace,” “A Jazzman’s Blues,” and “A Madea Homecoming.” Henson, who recently appeared in “The Color Purple,” is represented by CAA, M88, R&CPMK, and Johnson, Shapiro, Slewett & Kole. Taylor, known for “A Thousand and One” and “Coming 2 America,” is represented by WME, Taylormade Management Group, and The Lede Company.
Recently, Alfonso Ribeiro, famous for playing Carlton Banks in the ’90s sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, stirred controversy due to his tweet. Unlike his co-star Will Smith, Alfonso never really made it big on the big screen after his stint on the comedy TV series. He was mostly known for his dance moves on the show, which became dubbed “The Carlton” after his character. Alfonso took his dancing skills a level higher when he won the 19th season of Dancing With The Stars. He returned to the show as the co-host in Season 31 and continues in the role to this day. However, despite his success in DWTS, many feel he should have achieved much more.
During a recent chat with Closer Weekly, Alfonso spoke about his lack of roles on television. The actor revealed his career stalled after playing Carlton Banks. He revealed, “It was one of the greatest roles that I ever was fortunate enough to play, but it was also the role that stopped me from acting again because people couldn’t see me as anything else.” Following Alfonso’s revelations, a fan made a suggestion. The fan wrote, “@tylerperry needs to revamp @alfonso_ribeiro career, I just know he could.” However, the actor-dancer responded to the fan by writing, “I don’t need or ever want that man to do anything for me.”
Following the reaction, many fans wondered what could be going on between him and Tyler Perry. Some suggested there could be beef brewing between Alfonso and the mega-filmmaker, while others felt the producer had some skeletons in his cupboard, which the actor knew about. Hence, fans called on Alfonso to open up if he knew something about Tyler that the world doesn’t. Further, he is not the only person in the entertainment industry that has issues with Tyler. Many other celebrities have called the entertainment mogul out on different occasions. Here are five celebrities who have beef with Tyler Perry.
5. Tyler Perry Beef With Spike Lee
Despite being widely regarded as a significant figure in Black entertainment, Tyler Perry had his work called into question by legendary film director Spike Lee in 2009. During a discussion about Black art and entertainment, Lee emphasized the need for artists to have personal liberty. He went ahead to criticize creators like Perry for perpetuating negative stereotypes about Black Americans. He said producers like Tyler propagated racist ideas while exploiting the worst impulses of American audiences. Spike explained, “Each artist should be allowed to pursue their artistic endeavours, but I still think there is a lot of stuff out today that is ‘coonery buffoonery.’”
Tyler responded to Spike’s comments during an appearance on Who’s Talking to Chris Wallace. He expressed that such comments weren’t new to him. The movie producer said elitism was to blame for the criticisms against his Madea character. He also said the stories he tells in his works originated from his experiences growing up, especially when he spent time with his mom and her friends. Tyler further said his brand of entertainment was motivated by love. He explained per People, “So when someone says, ‘You’re harkening back to a point of our life that we don’t want to talk about it or we don’t want the world to see,’ you’re dismissing the stories of millions and millions of Black people.”
Tyler Perry’s beef with Spike Lee cooled off years later. In June 2022, Tyler attended the Tribeca Film Festival, where he told Gayle King that he named one of the sound stages at his Studio in Atlanta after Lee. Spike celebrated the honor Tyler accorded him in an Instagram post. He thanked Tyler and urged him to continue doing God’s work.
4. Katt Williams
Katt Williams went viral in January 2024 following a three-hour interview with Shannon Sharpe on his Club Shay Shay podcast. During the interview, Katt didn’t mince words as he called out some of Hollywood’s biggest entertainers. Some of the people Katt slammed in the interview included Steve Harvey, Cedric Entertainer, and Diddy. Tyler Perry didn’t escape Katt’s wrath. Katt mentioned Tyler’s name while discussing his beef with comedian Rickey Smiley. Apparently, Katt isn’t a fan of Tyler portraying a female character, Madea. Katt sees Tyler and Rickey’s portrayal of female characters negatively and feels they sacrificed their dignity to dress as women. Hence, while speaking about his fallout with Rickey, Katt said Rickey and “Tyler Perry can’t play a man to save they life.”
That wasn’t the first time Katt expressed disdain for Tyler’s Madea character. Per BET, the comedian shared his opinion about Tyler during a special interview with Rock Rants. Katt was asked to describe celebrities like Oprah Winfrey, Justin Bieber, Anthony Anderson, and Drake. However, when Perry’s name came up, he referred to him as a “Drag Queen.” Meanwhile, Tyler has never responded to Katt’s remarks about him.
3. Dave Chappelle
Tyler Perry’s continued portrayal of Madea has earned him many critics. One person with longstanding issues with Tyler dressing like and playing a female character is comedian Dave Chappelle. Dave has never hidden his disdain for men playing women characters or dressing as women in movies. During a 2014 interview with GQ, the legendary comedian spoke about Tyler’s influence. He said, “I can’t see how my life is harder because Tyler Perry exists. You know? I mean, I can certainly debate the artistic merits of his movies or the lack thereof, but to me that’s almost an irrelevant conversation, because I’m more impressed with what he was able to achieve.” Despite not being a fan of Tyler’s work, Dave expressed that there was a place for him in Hollywood and commended him for reaching a different audience with his movies and TV shows.
Tyler responded to Dave’s criticism during an appearance on T.I.’s ExpediTIously podcast. He said, “Listen, Chappelle is one of the most brilliant people I have ever seen in my life. Not just in comedy, but the man is smart. A heavy, brilliant thinker.” Tyler went ahead to clarify that nobody forced him to play a woman character or wear a dress. He said, “Nobody makes me put it on. It was all on stage. Black man owned the whole show, it was my choice.” Tyler further expressed that he wasn’t a man who enjoyed wearing a dress. However, for him as an actor, it was a costume, and he was doing it to encourage people and make them laugh.
2. Oprah Winfrey
Oprah Winfrey and Tyler Perry have been friends for over a decade. However, rumors about a strain in their friendship emerged in March 2016. A source told the Daily Mail Oprah had difficulties working with Tyler. The source also claimed Oprah hated that Tyler couldn’t take constructive criticism. At the time of the reports, Tyler had three series running on Oprah’s OWNNetwork. The insider shared that Oprah suggested they hire more script writers to help develop Tyler’s shows, most especially The Have and the Have Nots. She went ahead to share with Tyler details of research from focus groups, whose general consensus was that the writing could improve significantly.
The source claimed that Tyler didn’t buy Oprah’s feedback and became defensive. Tyler reportedly told Oprah, “Aren’t the shows delivering ratings for the network? Well, then let me do what I do and you can keep your focus group research to yourself.” According to the insider, Oprah, who allowed Tyler to join her network after TBS didn’t renew his contract, reminded him of how important she was to him. The source revealed, “Oprah basically had to remind him, “You needed me as much as I needed you when we decided to do this partnership and don’t forget that.” The insider further shared that the disagreement led the Hollywood moguls to stop communicating as much as they did before.
However, after news of Winfrey and Perry’s beef made headlines, the former’s close friend, Gayle King, said it was false. Taking to Instagram, Gayle shared a screenshot of the Daily Mail article and captioned it, “Huh? Just reading @Oprah & @tylerperry are angry w/each other & not speaking if that’s true (it”ain’t”)must have just happened 10 min ago!” Tyler also slammed the rumors in a chat with Entertainment Tonight. He said, “It’s completely false. Nothing is accurate in the article except for my and Oprah’s names.”
1. Tyler Perry Beef With Mo’Nique
Tyler Perry’s beef with Mo’Nique began in 2009 after the film Precious was released in theaters. The movie was successful and earned Mo’Nique a Golden Globe and Academy Award. However, tensions existed between Mo’Nique and the movie’s producers, Oprah Winfrey and Tyler Perry, and director Lee Daniels. As part of efforts to promote the film, Mo’Nique was asked to appear at the Cannes Film Festival. However, being present at Cannes to promote Precious wasn’t part of Mo’Nique’s contract, and she wasn’t going to be paid for it. Hence, she refused to attend the film festival.
During a chat with The Hollywood Reporter, Mo’Nique opened up about the situation. She revealed that she told Winfrey, “Oprah, I’m doing a talk show. I’m doing a comedy tour. I have a husband and I have babies. I have a little bit of downtime and I’m going to take advantage of it. So I’m not going anywhere because I’m not obligated to go anywhere. I’ve done my part.” Mo’Nique further claimed that she was blackballed from the entertainment industry after she refused to promote the film without pay. Hence, she demanded an apology from Oprah and Tyler for their roles in stifling her career. She also claimed that Lee Daniels personally expressed regret about the way she was treated by producers.
In 2022, Mo’Nique had an interview with TS Madison and claimed Tyler promised to admit his wrongdoings to the public. However, Tyler reportedly didn’t keep to that promise. Despite Tyler’s no-show, Mo’Nique claimed she had an audio recording of her conversation with him in which he made the promise. Mo’Nique reignited her beef with Tyler Perry when she appeared on Shannon Sharpe’s Club Shay Shay podcast in February 2024.
During the podcast, Mo’Nique opened up about her audio recording of Tyler, in which he admitted to spreading the rumor that she was difficult to work with. She lamented how the rumor made her lose millions of dollars in opportunities. However, Tyler has reportedly strongly refuted Mo’Nique’s claims. In May, Mo’Nique joined Katt Williams on tour and had more to say about Tyler and Oprah, calling them “coon motherf*****s.” Tyler Perry’s beef with Mo’Nique is 15 years old, but it doesn’t look like it is ending soon.
Alfonso Ribeiro is someone who has been very honest and up-front about what he has experienced throughout his career. Overall, most fans know him as Carlton from The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air. As Ribeiro states, he was typecast for the majority of his career. Numerous casting directors would try to get him into roles that were identical to Carlton’s. Although outsiders may think these are great opportunities, for an actor, they are insulting. Ribeiro knew he could do other roles, but they simply were not being offered.
In the aftermath of his most recent comments about his career, Ribeiro has been hit with lots of unsolicited advice. Recently, on Twitter, one fan came out and claimed that Ribeiro’s career could be revitalized by Tyler Perry. However, Ribeiro did not like that suggestion one bit. In fact, he replied to the fan’s comment, saying “I don’t need or ever want that man to do anything for me.” Overall, it was a pretty sternly worded reply, and fans were curious as to whether or not there was some sort of animosity at play.
In the replies over at The Shade Room, there were numerous calls for Ribeiro to sit down with Shannon Sharpe on Club Shay Shay. Of course, this would be an incredible conversation. Sharpe is known for having great interviews, even if it is the guest who mostly makes it work. If Ribeiro were to go on Club Shay Shay and put it all out there, it would most certainly go viral. That said, it remains to be seen whether or not Ribeiro would even be interested in such a thing.
Let us know what you think about all of this, in the comments section down below. Do you believe that Ribeiro should go on Club Shay Shay? Do you believe that Shannon Sharpe would be able to get a good interview considering the subject matter? Additionally, stay tuned to HNHH for the latest news and updates from around the music world. We will continue to keep you informed on all of your favorite artists and their upcoming projects.
Tyler Perry Studios and DeVon Franklin are partnering with the world’s biggest streaming studio on a multi-year/ multi-picture first-look deal for faith-based films.
Naturally, Franklin and Perry will produce the films under Tyler Perry’s Studios. Word is the first film under the new partnership is called R&B, described as a modern-day retelling of Ruth and Boaz, a biblical story written by Mike Elliot and Cory Tynan.
Here’s the official description: “R&B is a modern-day retelling of the story of Ruth and Boaz, one of the most iconic love stories in the Bible. Set in Tennessee, R&B tells the story of a young woman who escapes the Atlanta music scene to care for an elderly widowed woman and in the process finds the love of her life and gains the mother she never had.”
Perry said in a statement, “I’m so excited to be working with DeVon on this and future projects,” and he added “I think in this polarizing world, and at a time where the world seems to be growing colder everyday, we both share the common goal of wanting to spread some good. And there’s no better place than Netflix.” Franklin said on the partnership “Tyler and I have been great friends for over 15 years, so when he called me to team up on movies that can uplift the human spirit, I jumped at the chance and we couldn’t have a better partner than Netflix to help us inspire the world.”
In a statement from Niija Kuykendall, Vice President of Netflix Film, she said: “We couldn’t be more excited to expand our relationship with Tyler Perry Studios. Tyler and DeVon have created some of the most inspiring movies in the faith-based space, so they are perfect partners to help us bring even more of these stories to our members.”
Mo’Nique is using some harsh language to rekindle her years-long feud with Oprah and Tyler Perry by criticizing them once more. She is currently touring with Katt Williams, who, as you may know, set the world on fire, calling out half the entertainment industry on Club Shay Shay. During Williams’s latest stop in his comedy tour, Mo’Nique got up on stage. The comedian and she went on a wild rant against Oprah and Tyler Perry. Her rant was full of a lot of profanity to help give even more context to her visible disdain for the pair. In her wild rant, she referred to Perry and Oprah as”coon motherf*****s.”
Before Mo’Nique got to her rant, she got the crowd to join her in an “F* YOU OPRAH WINFREY, F* YOU TYLER PERRY!!” chant. Some audience members were eager to join in the fun. Others appeared apprehensive at the fire being thrown Oprah’s way, which is why Mo’Nique called out some Oprah admirers in the crowd. She even urged a man in the audience to have sex with her in order to bring Oprah “back to Black.”
Mo’Nique Goes On Wild Tirade Against Oprah And Tyler Perry
At one point, Mo’Nique professes that she does, in fact, have love for Oprah but then immediately calls her “simple-minded” and a “raggedy b***h”. Mo’Nique declares she won’t take back any remarks made on the set. She also, at some point, called in to question the nature of Oprah’s friendship with Gayle King and alluded to their possible romantic involvement. The comedian said, “I’m too motherf***ing old to be scared of this bitch. I’m too old to be intimidated by this bitch. I’m too old to hold the motherf***ing truth.”
Mo’Nique’s hatred and beef with Oprah and Tyler Perry stems from the comedian believing she was blackballed by the powerful Hollywood figures. She claims she was blackballed after she refused to do press for her role in 2009’s Precious. Over the years, the comedian has constantly attacked Oprah and Tyler, accusing them of attempting to ruin her career. On Shannon Sharpe’s Club Shay Shay podcast, Mo’Nique claimed to have a damming recording of Tyler Perry admitting to bad-mouthing her. Perry has denied those allegations. Overall, it is a giant mess, and Mo’Nique is dangerous with a microphone in her hand.
50 Cent recently opened up his G-Unit Film & Television studio in Shreveport, Louisiana, which obviously resulted in a lot of fanfare and celebration. Moreover, reports from XXL suggest that the 956,000-square-foot property became the second-largest Black-owned production studio in the world, right behind Tyler Perry’s titular studio in Atlanta, which he launched in 2019. In fact, the lot is the biggest studio in the U.S. and the first one with African American ownership. As such, people online started to compare Fif to being the “male” version of Perry, cheekily referencing the entertainment mogul’s role as Madea in a host of popular media.
Furthermore, 50 Cent seemed very appreciative and excited, especially at the ceremony at the city’s Government Plaza where he signed a symbolic a lease to open the studio and got the key to the city. In fact, the Queens rapper also commented on Mayor Tom Arceneaux, who was there to honor him as well, in an Instagram post commemorating the occasion. “Mayor Tom Arceneaux really cares about people,” he wrote as the post’s caption, which included pictures of them at the event. “I talked to him today I was really impressed with his energy. I usually be like [eyes emoji] wait a minute, when politicians are involved but I think he is a whole good guy. WTF.”
Elsewhere on social media, the “21 Questions” rapper has just been relentlessly trollingDiddy amid his sex crimes allegations, so it’s nice to see this change of pace. We’ll have to see what these new G-Unit studios result in as far as media projects. With series under the production company’s affiliate belt like Power and BMF, we can only expect similar greatness moving forward with this expansion. Maybe Tyler Perry will collaborate with 50 Cent someday. Regardless, check out how folks compared these icons on Twitter down below.
Fans Compare Fif To Tyler Perry
Meanwhile, Perry was recently in some one-sided feuding with Mo’Nique amid the comedy world drama that kicked this year off with a bang. Perhaps we’ll never know what really came of all this, but it’s still a hot topic of conversation. G-Unit’s got one heck of a documentary to produce if they ever wanted to give that a shot. Nevertheless, for more news and the latest updates on 50 Cent and Tyler Perry, keep checking in with HNHH.
Tyler Perry just keeps winning, and BET Media Group is obviously pleased with its partnership with the film mogul because it just announced a new “comprehensive, multi-year content partnership.” As part of the deal, eight of Perry’s series across BET and BET+ were renewed, and one new series was ordered.
This will replace the original agreement that was due to expire this year. This will set Perry up to keep creating hundreds of new episodes for his existing shows on BET. Under the original agreement, Perry already produced over 700 episodes for both BET and BET+.
Expect the following shows to come back to BET:
Tyler Perry’s Sistas for an eighth season, Tyler Perry’s The Oval for a sixth season, Tyler Perry’s Assisted Living and Tyler Perry’s House of Payne for a sixth season on BET (the 11th season overall for the latter, counting its TBS run). These Perry-produced series have been renewed at BET+: Tyler Perry’s Zatima, Tyler Perry’s Ruthless, Tyler Perry’s Bruh and All The Queen’s Men.
Route 187, a new series, was ordered as part of the deal, “featuring content executive produced, directed, and written by Tyler Perry.”
Scott Mills, BET Media Group’s President and CEO, said in a statement, “Tyler Perry is simply without rival as a creator of content that powerfully resonates with audiences across genres, formats, and platforms. Our programming partnership with Tyler – undoubtably the largest deal ever in the industry with a Black creator – has been hugely successful; delivering the number one series across all TV among Black audiences and five of the top 10 series on cable among Black viewers,” he said. “We are thrilled to extend our extraordinary relationship with Tyler and to continue to be the home of the largest and most diverse collection of new Tyler Perry content for years to come.”
Perry added, “Scott Mills and his team at BET have been incredibly supportive throughout our time working together, and I’m excited to continue bringing these stories to the screen. I’m grateful to our loyal audiences for watching week after week, and engaging these stories,” Perry also has deals in place at Prime Video and Netflix.
Tyler Perry’s going all out with his deal at Netflix. He just announced the cast of his new series Beauty in the Black, which includes Debbi Morgan, Richard Lawson, Taylor Polidore Williams, Crystle Stewart, and, let his, 14 others!
Naturally, Perry is out front for this project. He will write, direct, and produce the 16-episode, hour-long series, which is expected under his creative partnership with Netflix.
Here’s the casting breakdown for Beauty in Black. The series will star Taylor Polidore Williams, Amber Reign Smith, Crystle Stewart, Ricco Ross, Debbi Morgan, Richard Lawson, Steven G. Norfleet, Julian Horton, Terrell Carter, and Shann on Wallace. Also starring are Bryan Tanaka, Joy Rovaris, Xavier Smalls, Charles Malik Whitfield, Tamera “Tee” Kissen, Ursula O. Robinson, Ashley Versher and George Middlebrook.
As Shadow and Act reports, Perry’s new series follows Kimmie (Williams) and Mallory (Stewart) two Black women whose lives become intertwined. According to the logline, “While Kimmie is struggling to make a living after her mother kicked her out, and Mallory is running a successful business, they find themselves entangled in each other’s lives.”
Here’s a recap of other projects Perry has rolled out under his Netflix deal, including A Fall From Grace, A Jazzman’s Blues, and Mea Culpa, the latter of which was a top-watched movie on the streamer.
Perry’s upcoming film, Six Triple Eight, tells the story of the only all-Black Women’s Army Corps or WACs during World War II. It’s set to star Kerry Washington. Perry is serving as a writer, director, and producer and is on track to hit Netflix sometime this year.
Perry is flexible and has a lucrative deal with Amazon MGM Studios. His upcoming film Joy Ride will star Shannon Thornton and Tosin Morohunfola. Keep em’ coming, Tyler!
Allen Payne, an actor whose career spans over three decades, has solidified his place in the entertainment industry with a diverse portfolio of roles that showcase his depth and versatility. As of 2024, Payne’s net worth is reported to be $5 million, according to Net Worth Pulse. It is a testament to his enduring presence and impact on both film and television. Known for his memorable performances in critically acclaimed projects, Payne’s journey from aspiring actor to seasoned veteran is a narrative of dedication, talent, and the continuous pursuit of artistic expression.
A Career Defined By Diversity & Depth
Allen Payne’s journey in the acting world began in the late 1980s. It marked the start of a career where he would take on various challenging and compelling roles. Payne quickly made a name for himself with standout performances in films such as Jason’s Lyric and New Jack City. His ability to convey complex emotions and bring depth to his characters also won him critical acclaim. These early roles showcased his talent and set the stage for a career characterized by a commitment to exploring the human condition through his craft.
His versatility as an actor was further demonstrated in his portrayal of C.J. Payne on the hit television series Tyler Perry’s House of Payne. This role, which spanned multiple seasons, allowed Payne to reach a broader audience, cementing his status as a household name. Through his portrayal of C.J., Payne explored themes of family, resilience, and personal growth, resonating with viewers and critics alike.
Impact On Film & Television
Allen Payne’s contribution to the entertainment industry extends beyond his individual performances. Through his work, he has contributed to the broader narrative of African American representation in film and television, choosing roles that offer a nuanced portrayal of black experiences and challenges stereotypes. His career choices reflect a deliberate effort to engage with stories that matter to him personally and to the communities he represents.
Beyond his acting, Payne’s influence is felt in mentoring emerging talent and advocating for greater diversity and inclusion within the industry. His commitment to these principles has not only enriched his own career but has also helped pave the way for future generations of actors.
A Legacy Of Artistic Integrity
Allen Payne’s body of work is a testament to his artistic integrity and his dedication to his craft. Throughout his career, he has remained true to his vision. Payne selects projects that resonate with him and his audience. Moreover, his legacy is marked not only by his financial success but also by the impact of his performances on audiences and his contributions to the industry. His journey is a reminder of the power of perseverance, talent, and unwavering commitment to one’s craft.
Tyler Perry is busy dropping films across multiple streamers. His Mea Culpa film just dropped on Netflix, and now his latest Amazon MGM Studios film Joy Ridge announced the project’s leads. Shadow and Act reports that Perry has a four-year-deal with Amazon MGM Studios. Naturally, as part of his brand, Perry is writing, directing, and producing the film Joy Ridge, which is the third as part of his deal with Amazon MGM.
The genre is romantic and stars Shannon Thornton, who is in Mea Culpa, and Tosin Morohunfola. The film wrapped production in Colorado and at his Tyler Perry Studios in Georgia. Producing are Angi Bones and Will Areu under Tyler Perry Studios.
Here’s the logline, that Variety reported:
Two other films that have been announced under the Amazon MGM are a Meagan Good starrer Divorce in the Black, which is billed as a romance drama about a “broken marriage,” and a police brutality themed film Black, White & Blue that focuses on and stars Meagan Tandy, Tyler Lepley and Kat Graham. Perry is staying busy. He is one of the few production moguls with deals all over the spectrum, including his film and TV deal at Netflix and his massive presence at BET and BET+.