Tyler Perry lets go on 'Oprah' about beatings, molestation, healing

Tyler Perry opened up Wednesday in detail about the childhood abuse he suffered, telling Oprah Winfrey on her show that the death of his mother last December was the turning point that has allowed him to go public.

"She suffered so much horror in her life ... and I just could not be a source of pain," he told Winfrey. "I knew if I spoke about this [while she was alive], that she would be hurt. So I didn't. ... I feel this tremendous sense of, 'Now it's time for me to take care of me and get some of this stuff out of me and be free from it.'"

Perry described physical abuse from his father and sexual molestation from four adults of both sexes before age 10 — his body "betraying" him, the abuse leaving him confused, ashamed and never feeling safe.

"All of these people had given me something to carry ... ," Perry said. "What I started to do is untie the strings and chase them down to where they came from. And I was able to free myself and understand that even though these things happened to me, it was not me."

Watching an episode of "The Oprah Winfrey Show" years ago got him started on his journey when he began writing down what had happened to him, he said, and he hopes his story will encourage other men to speak out and heal.

Citing exhaustion and calling the "Madea's Happy Family Tour" his most special ever, Perry on Oct. 13 announced the cancellation of some shows on the production's encore leg, which was to have begun Tuesday.

"I feel terrible about this and hope you can understand but right now I'm not capable of giving you the show you want and deserve," he said on his website. "I hope one day soon I will be able to make it up to you."

— Christie D'Zurilla

Photo: Tyler Perry at the opening of "Madea Goes to Jail" in New York on Feb. 18, 2009. Credit: Peter Kramer / Associated Press

Related dispatches from the Ministry of Gossip:

Tyler Perry's mother dies at 64; Willie Maxine inspired Madea character

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Comments

[annjeannettealker]

hi i saw the show in wanted to look it up .iam truly sorry about what happen.in proud that your at that hailing point in life.it only made a stronger man. god bless in may god allways be with you.my strong black man.

[God favors me,ED]

Tyler I just want you to know Im proud of what you have allowed God to do in your life what the devil ment for bad God turned it around for your good yes I was disappointed about the cancellation but I'D rather for you to take out some time for yourself we need you around along time making the world to laugh when they want to cry luv you much your're forever n my prayers.

[Tee]

It's very honorable of him to spare his mother further grief.
It truly is time for himself.

[pollyanna downe]

Hey "God favors me,ED":

Why did your God allow Tyler to get sexually abused?

[ANN JORDAN]

I LOVE YOU TYLER PERRY, ALWAYS KNOW THAT GOD IS WITH YOU.

[Anon]

Tyler - you are so talented and gifted. I love your movies and they touch so many of us. Praying for your healing dear brother. I'm sorry for your loss of your Mother. May God bless you abundantly, Hugs!

[Carol]

Hello Tyler,
I hope you are doing great! I never knew you until I recently rented your movie "Why did I get married too?" few hours ago at Redbox. I was interested knowing you more because the movie I saw was exceptional and little I knew, your wrote, produced, and directed such great movie. I just want to thank you sharing your talents to us who are always entertained and learning more pretty much about like itself.
I am so sorry about your childhood. God has so much good promises to us and sometimes uses us, His creation to go through humbling experiences in life. He has bigger plans for you..
Take care and God Bless you!

[ct]

Response to: pollyanna downe

God allows free will. The four pesons who abused TP, exercised that in the extreme negative way.

If God did not allow free will--having the choice to do good or bad--we would all be robots.

[pollyanna downe]

Response to "ct":

Well, then let me exercise my own freewill be telling you and anyone else who compartmentalizes the horrors of this world from your belief in a loving, caring God:

You are dumber than a box of rocks.

[gavia]

I LOVE TYLER PERRY! I was so moved by his courage in discussing the horrors of his childhood.

[GingerSnaps]

@ pollyanna downe you sound evil and bitter. Perhaps the abuse Tyler Perry suffered inspired him to go on to become the successful entertainer and businessman he has become. Perhaps the abuse contributed to his wealth and celebrity and will allow him to help and inspire others who may also be suffering. I wish you a peaceful and joyous weekend. I hope someone does something nice for you, shows you love and maybe even offers some prayers for you; sounds like you need it. May God bless you.

[cdz from the ministry]

Christie D'Zurilla here from MOG with a reminder that in general we do not post comments that include links or detailed contact information. Feel free to resubmit without that info.

//cdz

[me.yahoo.com/a/AnQEYuR.2IoJaloWy8o72YL9YZjwVw--]

hello, mr. tyler perry my name is nita lee from cleveland ohio keep your head up i admire you and how far you came with everu thing that happen to you most people like you give up without a fight because people are mean there,s not enough support groups to help if i was rich i would help kids that been though alot. i'm suffering from depression everyday from what happen to me.i'm a medical assistant wanting to help people and can't find a job i wish i could be in one of your plays to have fun and have a good time in life because i'm very tierd of living inside a dark place. GOD BLESS YOU MORE MR.TLER PERRY. NITA LEE, CLEVELAND,OHIO

[yahwei]

Ginger Snaps Love is the most powerful force in the Universe Love will never die Saturate yourself in Love and you become eternal Your response was so beautiful a gift to the one who observed the god who causes abuse is the god of this world and not worthy of our worship you are a gift to any honest searcher with the blessing you poured into the seeker in need of of WISDOM PEACE POWER KNOWLEDGE UNDERSTANDING AND REVELATION I join you as a gift to the searcher inviting him to to embrace the God of Love who took our guilt on Skull Hill AD30 3pm and cried IT IS FINISHED he was crowned by those he loves with thorns clothed by those he made with a back jellied to shreds pinned by those he healed with nails but like you His Precious Treasure Ginger he looked after his mother gave another dying man a forever in a walled garden of pleasure starting immediately decided he would rather give up all heaven than lose you and me and our searching friend who has wisely ditched the god of abuse and after painting the sun black and ripping the earths crust open finished his war of Love against evil and now the truth the light the love and healing have defeated lies the dark hate and abuse God is Love God is ours and we are his Love is His free gift

[Nuttanbutsweet]

Mr. Tyler Perry let me start off by saying that I'm very sorry for the abuse that you had to endure from those devils. I'm truly inspired by your creative and brilliant work in addition to your strength. You are truly blessed to have come so far and touch so many lives in such a short period of time. I can't wait to see what else you have in store for us. God Bless.