Tyler Perry Claims ‘Reverse Racism’ By Critics of His TLC Series

“The same stories I’m relating to and telling, it could be anyone black or white,” he tells the AP in defense

tyler perry
Tyler Perry (Credit: Getty Images)

Tyler Perry has come under fire for assembling an all-white cast for his TLC series “Too Close To Home,” a backlash that the film and TV mogul now calls “reverse racism.”

As “Too Close To Home” is about to kick off its second season on Jan. 4, Perry tried to stop people on social media from coming out swinging about his casting choice, like some did when the series premiered in August.

too close to home cast

“That’s totally reverse racism because it was coming from African-American people,” said Perry in an interview Friday with the Associated Press. “I don’t know if it was because they thought I should only be giving jobs to black people. Well, I think that’s ridiculous. If you look at the hundreds of black people I’ve given jobs to and even the ones I’ve made millionaires, people of color, I just think it’s unfair.”

Perry has directed 16 films and created many TV shows (like the current OWN series “The Haves and the Have Nots”), which, for the most part, have had large African-American ensemble casts. But Perry is looking at projects with an open mind.

“I know that world very well,” said Perry. “The same stories I’m relating to and telling, it could be anyone black or white. I’m not trying to the shine a light on a certain stereotype or certain people in a trailer park. It’s my own experiences from having spent time and sleeping there.”

He’s got big plans for this second season for “Too Close To Home.” Here’s a look at what he — and the cast — have in store.

 

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