Tyler Perry Writes Open Letter To Fans About His Decision To Cast Kim Kardashian In New Movie ‘The Marriage Counselor’
By Aiyana Ma’at
I know the 2 words Tyler Perry generate different feelings for different folks. Some folks love him and his work while others…not so much. Well, you probably know by now that he is casting the ultra famous (for what I’m not really sure….) Kim Kardashian in his newest movie “The Marriage Counselor”.
Well, there are a whole lot of folks who are upset about it. Truthfully, I don’t really know why. Is it because she’s not black? That seems so….shallow. Is it because she’s not a bona fide actress? I can understand that a little more but I don’t recall other non-official actors catching as much hell as Kim’s been recently. Is it because of the foolishness she was recently involved in with her crazy 10 second marriage? I really want to know so if you’re one of the people who was or is really upset about it–leave a comment with your thoughts and also let us know if Tyler’s letter to his fans makes a difference in what you think after reading it. Check out the letter below:
“I think many of you know that this is a very difficult time of year for me, so what I try to do is make sure that I’m working during this time. All I wanted to do was shoot a great film and try to keep my mind off the holiday grief that I have been experiencing for the past two years. I could not have imagined I’d be getting all these emails about Kim Kardashian. I HAVE SEEN THEM!! YOU HAVE BEEN HEARD!! …LOL. Now, may I say something? Can a brother get a word in?….LOL. Y’all gave me a new movie title, Tyler Perry’s “Diary of a Mad Black Woman Cause You Hired Kim Kardashian, Don’t Make Me Take Off My Earrings and Boycott Yo A**.”…LOL. Some of my ladies are upset. Ok, all jokes aside, can I have my say? Will you at least here me out? I was in a Mexican restaurant and the cutest little old woman stopped me and said, “I want to talk to you about KAR-DAT- CHA-NEM.” I said, “Ma’am?” She said, “What is wrong with you putting her in the lead role of your movie?” By the time I explained to her that she was not in the lead role and why I thought she should be in “The Marriage Counselor”, she said, “Oh, I see your point and I can’t wait to see the movie.” So, if you don’t mind, I’d like to share with you what I said to her then maybe you’ll see why I wanted her in the film. This movie is about a young lady named Judith (Jurnee Smolett), who grew up in the countryside of Virginia in a trailer park. She was raised in the church by her mother Sarah (Ella Joyce). Judith married her childhood sweetheart Brice (Lance Gross) and had the perfect life until she graduated college and went to work in the big city. After college, all she wanted to do was be a marriage counselor, but the only job she could find was working for a matchmaker named Janice (Vanessa Williams). Janice has several employees that work for her, including a woman named Ava (Kim Kardashian). Ava is constantly trying to influence Judith on everything from her shoes to her hair. Judith meets a man at work named Harley (Robbie Jones). Harley challenges everything in her life from her marriage to her husband to her faith. Meanwhile, Brice (Lance Gross), Judith’s husband works at a pharmacy owned by Mrs. Waco (Renee Taylor). Brice has just hired a coworker named Melinda (Brandy), who has some major demons that she is running from. In the end, the choices that both of these young women have made come crashing down on them and their lives will never be the same. I wish I could tell you more, but I don’t want to ruin it for you. After I finished writing this movie, I sat back and re-read it. Half way through my read, the gravity of what I had written hit me. I knew that this message was not only for my age group, but for all audiences, especially the youth. ESPECIALLY THE YOUTH!! YOUNG FOLKS NEED TO SEE THIS!!! And not just the young people that follow me, but the young people that are following other young people, as well. I wanted a younger cast, that’s why I put Jurnee in the lead and invited Lance Gross, Robbie Jones and Brandy. About two months ago, long before I even heard about Kim’s marriage or divorce, I was trying to finish up the casting. I said to one of my producers, “who else is out there that young people are looking up to?” One of my producers showed me pictures that his daughter had taken of several hundred kids lined up around the corner to get into a Kardashian store. They wanted to meet Kim. I thought, what better person! She literally has millions of young people following her. I thought and still do think, that it would be very responsible of her to be a part of this film. To have the young people that look up to her, see her in a film that is about, what happens in life when you make the wrong choices. Whether you’re aware of it or not, to be honest with you I wasn’t, millions of young people adore her and are following her every move. If one of those young people see this film and find the strength to live a better life and not go through what these characters went through in this movie, then we have all done what I feel I’m being led to do here. I hope you understand. I really do! And lastly, because I believe that my films speak from the inside out, why wouldn’t Kim Kardashian be invited into a film about Faith, Forgiveness and the healing power of God? What is wrong with that??”
Allright BLAM Fam, Weigh in..what do you think about this whole thing?
Aiyana Ma’at is the wife of Ayize Ma’at, mom of 4, and co-founder and owner of this website, BlackLoveAndMarriage.com, as well as PurposePusher.com. Aiyana is a Seeker, Motivator, Risk Taker, Explorer, & Overcomer. She is a self-described PurposePusher and does her best to live her life with self-awareness and intention. Some of her official titles include licensed psycho-therapist, certified marriage educator & relationship coach and speaker. She is clear that a part of the call on her life is to help bring insight and awareness to others so that they can “get out of their own way” and create the lives they want to have.
Before I read this. I knew why he wasnt going to remove her for the casting. When you act, you act. And sometimes your part may even become a part of you. But kim obviously knows nothing about marriage. She NEEDS to be in the casting. She needs to be put to the test. Everything in that movie, she is sure to experience some sort of revelation. She will be around many many god fearing men and women and she will get the guidance she so desperately needs. Everyone needs to earn a paycheck, by the way. Its gotta come from somewhere. Kim sells products. Thats what she does. This movie should put something great in her heart. Its not nice to knock anyones hustle. She did wrong and GOD will decide what happens next. Not you. You can boycott his movie all you want to but as long as Tyler is doing right by the lord and his brethren? He will continue to succeed whether you like it or not… Amen
I am not just referring to her divorce. I am referring to her as a person. She has issues, serious issues. And i recall an episode where she told her sisters they were going to go somewhere and then when it came down to it she said she broke her ankle and couldnt go. So,the sisters with father in tow came to drop her off some flowers. Kim was packing her car getting ready to shop or tan or something. Her sisters where so angry they threw the glass vase on the ground. What im getting at is that she lied. Lied about something so stupid and hurt her sisters in the process and america got to see it. She needs personal enlightenment. SOMETHING she needs something. And maybe its the lord she needs but something. Its not about the Money. Theres a reason for all the seasons…. his movie will still be successful. Nobody really ever wants to see you do good. and that IS the truth.
I have no problem with Kim being in the movie. I'm interested in seeing her acting skills. People are taking her relationship and her history to heart. If you think about it, the only thing she's guilty of is doing crazy things in her life. I know a few people who have done the exact same things, and even worse. Let her be who she is. I don't see any good reason to boycott her or the film.
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ok i read what u had to say,ima make it brief.kim is a BAD choice,i predict ur movie is gonna bomb.and u ARE thinking only about the $$.kim is all used up man cmon u know it…..
I do not see any prob with it. Just another case of black people being hard on our peers.
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I don't see anything wrong with her being in a movie. If she can act the part then why not? I am just glad Jurnee is lead….beautiful woman and actress. When Mariah Carey was cast for her role in Precious everyone was crying mercy but she actually did a good job and maybe the same results will become of this film.
I don’t see a problem with Kim being in the movie. I don’t understand what everyone’s issue is with her. I’m sure if the paparazzi shined a light on some of us non-celebrities we wouldn’t be on such high horses. Let us not judge yet ye be judged also. I am personally looking forward to seeing the movie. And as a side note….if Brandy can work with her and she is Ray J’s sister why should we have a problem?
There was a "white girl" in the play, so why wouldnt there be one in the movie?!?!/
I personally have no problem with her being in the film. Black people, we're hard on people especially each other so I'm not surprised Tyler or Kim are catching hell. But im not mad at neither one of them. You cant try to please everybody. It never works.
I think it's not as big of a deal as folks are making it. It's exacerbated by her pending divorce. I think Tyler has earned the right to pick and choose whomever he likes to play in his movies.
Agreed!