Tyler Perry Avoids Oscars Diversity Talk: "I Don't Want To Focus On It"

BY Erika Marie 937 Views
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Tyler Perry
He's just minding his business in the ATL.

There were the "#OscarsSoWhite" protest and the complaints over the years that the Academy Awards' lack of diversity is a problem in Hollywood. Entertainers have spoken openly about how they believe the Academy has snubbed actors, filmmakers, and movies considered to be "of color," but if you ask Tyler Perry about the controversy, he'll let you know that he doesn't want any part of it as he minds his business in the ATL.

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The studio head caught up with CBS This Morning last week to chat about his recently released Netflix thriller A Fall From Grace. He praised the streaming platform for their diverse staff who met with him when they negotiated the film's release, but when questioned about the Oscars, he didn't care to get involved.

"I think that Jennifer Lopez should have been recognized. I think that Awkwafina should have been recognized, absolutely," he said. "But I don't have an opinion of it either way. Whereas I said before, build your own table so that you don't have to keep asking someone to sit at theirs. I think that the Academy has tried to invite more people of color into the voting process."

With his hands up in the air as a sign of retreat, Perry added, "I'm down in Atlanta doing my own thing. I don't even want to focus on it. God bless 'em. I wanna let it go and I want to encourage everybody else to be owners, entrepreneurs that take the bull by the horns, become more producers, writers, and direct themselves." Check out his clip below.


About The Author
Since 2019, Erika Marie has worked as a journalist for HotNewHipHop, covering music, film, television, art, fashion, politics, and all things regarding entertainment. With 20 years in the industry under her belt, Erika Marie moved from a writer on the graveyard shift at HNHH to becoming a Features Editor, highlighting long-form content and interviews with some of Hip Hop’s biggest stars. She has had the pleasure of sitting down with artists and personalities like DJ Jazzy Jeff, Salt ’N Pepa, Nick Cannon, Rah Digga, Rakim, Rapsody, Ari Lennox, Jacquees, Roxanne Shante, Yo-Yo, Sean Paul, Raven Symoné, Queen Naija, Ryan Destiny, DreamDoll, DaniLeigh, Sean Kingston, Reginae Carter, Jason Lee, Kamaiyah, Rome Flynn, Zonnique, Fantasia, and Just Blaze—just to name a few. In addition to one-on-one chats with influential public figures, Erika Marie also covers content connected to the culture. She’s attended and covered the BET Awards as well as private listening parties, the Rolling Loud festival, and other events that emphasize established and rising talents. Detroit-born and Long Beach (CA)-raised, Erika Marie has eclectic music taste that often helps direct the interests she focuses on here at HNHH. She finds it necessary to report on cultural conversations with respect and honor those on the mic and the hardworking teams that help get them there. Moreover, as an advocate for women, Erika Marie pays particular attention to the impact of femcees. She sits down with rising rappers for HNHH—like Big Jade, Kali, Rubi Rose, Armani Caesar, Amy Luciani, and Omerettà—to gain their perspectives on a fast-paced industry.