‘Madea’ actor-director Tyler Perry reveals history of childhood abuse, molestation

New York Daily News/Chrisena Coleman—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.

He is now a mega-millionaire and one of the world’s most influential black filmmakers. He is the producer of “Tyler Perry’s House of Payne” on TV and his movies, including “Diary of a Mad Black Woman,” “Madea’s Family Reunion” and “I Can Do Bad All By Myself” have grossed $400 million.

Along with Oprah Winfrey, he executive produced “Precious,” the story of an illiterate obese teen mom struggling to rise above horrible sexual and mental abuse. The movie opened nationally Nov. 6.

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Precious Things: Lee Daniels and Gabourey Sidibe

BET/Clay Cane—Nearly all of 2009, the world has been buzzing about the Lee Daniels film “Precious: Based on the Novel PUSH by Sapphire.” Not since “Dreamgirls” has a film with a predominately African-American cast received so much attention and matched with award buzz. Executive produced by Oprah Winfrey and Tyler Perry, “Precious” tells the story of an obese African-American teen living a life of horror, but trying to battle against the odds. The film also includes Paula Patton, Lenny Kravitz, Mariah Carey and shoe-in Oscar performance from Mo’Nique.

Oscar is usually in the same sentence as “Precious,” but in a sit down with BET.com, Daniels stressed, “I don’t do movies for people, I do movies for me. I never think about how it’s going to be received. If I did, I would never do a movie about a 350-pound Black girl because who would think anybody would come see a film like this.” Daniels’ conviction for film has transcended weight and race. With appearances from the cast on “Oprah,” “Ellen,” “Larry King Live” and more, everyone now wants to see a film about a 350-pound Black teen.

The woman who breathes life into the role is Gabourey Sidibe, a 26-year-old newcomer. One can only imagine playing such a tortured and downtrodden character would affect the actress. However, Sidibe walked into the film with a built-in confidence. “I fully believe I am beautiful,” Sidibe explains with a smile. “I have a view of myself and nobody else interrupts it at all. Also, it’s not words I hadn’t heard growing up. I certainly had been called names before and after awhile it slides off of you.”
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The movie Precious: Based On The Novel ‘Push‘ By Sapphire, is executive produced by Oprah Winfrey and Tyler Parry. Starring Mo’Nique, Paula Patton, Mariah Carey, Lenny Kravitz, Sherri Shepherd, and introducing Gabourey ‘Gabby’ Sidibe. The film is the Winner of the Grand Jury Award, Audience Award, and the Special Jury Prize at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival.

(Warning: Video NSFW)

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