He has talked about both in the past, but not to this extent:
Filmmaker Tyler Perry, who is promoting a new movie about an abused teenager, has gone public with brutal memories of his own childhood beatings and molestation.
In an email to fans that has Perry’s admirers buzzing, he recounts various examples of terrible childhood mistreatment – from his father beating him senseless to a neighbor woman molesting him at age 10.
Even his grandmother, the mother of his hated father, became a threat when she objected to his weekly allergy shot, he recalls.
“Ain’t nothing wrong with that damn boy – he just got germs on him. Stop wasting all that money,” she said, he recalled.
“She came and got me out of the living room leaving my Matchbox cars on the floor. She said she was going to kill these germs on me once and for all. She gave me a bath in ammonia.”
Perry, 38, fled his abusive home in New Orleans and, after a period of homelessness and struggle, became a writer, director, actor and producer. When someone like Tyler Perry posts this kind of personal message it helps to free others,” Williams said.
“People are suffering unspeakable, horrific horrors and they live with those secrets that tear them up inside,” she said.
“There are countless numbers of people who have been violated and haven’t addressed their pain and that leads to depression, or self medicating, drinking, drug abuse, compulsive shopping when you don’t have any money or eating disorders. Share your story to liberate yourself and get help.”
I am proud of Tyler and the positive impact that he is having not only on African Americans, but everyone. His movies are uplifting and continue to have a good message. He is a great guy that deserves all of his success– and I wish him much more in the future.
