Tyler Perry Reveals Why He Cut Off Relatives After Success

Tyler Perry is one of the most generous figures in Hollywood.

However, that generosity has limits, especially when it threatens his peace or business.

In a candid conversation, the media mogul opened up about setting financial boundaries with family, and why tough love sometimes means saying no to those one loves the most.

Perry is no stranger to helping family.

However, when help becomes a crutch, he knows it's time to draw the line.

In a revealing interview on Kirk Franklin's "Den of Kings," Perry shared how he once had to reject a relative's request for a million dollars.

"I've had family members get mad at me because I wouldn't give them a million dollars," he said per AOL.

For Perry, support should empower, not enable.

He recounted how he once gave his aunt a job after years of sending money. However, when she failed to show up regularly, Perry had to take the unthinkable step of firing her.

"She wasn't coming in, calling in all the time, and I was like 'Okay, well you got to go,'" he explained. "Because you want me to hand you the money, but you don't want to work for it. See, that doesn't work for me."

The same boundary-setting philosophy applies to Perry's parenting style.

With his 10-year-old son, he's already teaching the value of responsibility through chores.

"I don't believe in giving us things that are just going to handicap us," he explained. "That is the worst thing you can do. And I've had family members that I've done that to because my mother has asked me to."

After his mother passed away in 2009, Perry decided enough was enough. He mailed letters to relatives who had become financially dependent on him, giving them a deadline to find employment.

"Listen, you've got 60 days to become gainfully employed because I'm not going to keep supporting you like this," he recalled.

And the strategy worked. "They all got jobs," he shared. "And [they weren't] even jobs where they're making a lot of money, but it was a job. It was something else for them to do to feel some pride in."

For Perry, drawing boundaries isn't about cutting people off but about building something sustainable.

When entrepreneur Derrick Hayes asked if those tough decisions had led to resentment from family, Perry offered a metaphor that says it all.

"If you're trying to build a business to carry everybody in your family through, that's one thing," he said. "But you've got to watch [out] for the family members that come putting holes in the boat when you're trying to get across the sea."

He advised, "Sometimes you build a boat by yourself, [and say] 'y'all all wait over here on the shore. Stay here. I'm building this boat. I'm going to go over and build this and then I'm going to come back and see who's worthy.'"

Perry made it clear that he's not shutting the door on anyone, but he's also not inviting sabotage aboard.

The entertainment mogul admits that setting these boundaries hasn't been easy.

Yet, he maintained that it has been necessary for his growth and success.

"I want to help you build, not be welfare to you," he said, reflecting on his conversation with his aunt.

His goal is to offer opportunities, not lifetime handouts.

Tyler Perry's comments come a month after he faced a serious lawsuit amid attention for his then-trending Netflix film, "Straw."

Actor Derek Dixon, known for his role in Perry's series "The Oval," accused the producer of sexual assault and harassment.

According to Dixon, the misconduct began in 2020 when Perry invited him to his home after offering a role in "Ruthless." Dixon claimed he was intoxicated and spent the night in the guest room, where Perry allegedly initiated unwanted physical contact.

He later secured a prominent role in "The Oval," but said sexually suggestive messages from Perry escalated.

Dixon compared his character, Dale, portrayed as desperate and dependent, to Perry's alleged preference in real life.

The lawsuit also included text messages and details of a 2021 incident at Perry's Atlanta home.

Dixon, who filed a formal complaint in 2024 and quit the show, sued Perry and his studio for $260 million in damages.