Tyler Perry Explains How Industry Disparities Result In Lower Budgets For His Shows In Resurfaced Clip: White Boys Walk In & Get Four Or Five Times As Much

Tyler Perry Explains How Industry Disparities Result In Lower Budgets For His Shows In Resurfaced Clip: White Boys Walk In & Get Four Or Five Times As Much

As the old saying goes, you have to be twice as good to get half. In a resurfaced interview with T.I., #TylerPerry opened up about how disparities in the entertainment industry directly impact the budgets he receives for his projects. During the conversation, Perry said, “The budgets for my shows are really, really low … because being a Black show, being a Black writer, they do models for me. Even my movies, my budgets are really low.” He went on to point out the contrast he sees with white filmmakers, adding, “I see white boys walk in and they get four or five times as much as I, and make nowhere near.”
_______

Perry went on to explain how he’s learned to navigate those challenges by building ownership behind the scenes and making strategic sacrifices to ensure long-term success. He noted that part of his approach has been making sure “everybody else is paid and getting what they want,” while trusting his audience to consistently show up and turn his projects into hits. Still, he emphasized his belief in playing the long game over chasing immediate payouts, saying, “So if you go in and you’re looking for the bag, then great, you go buy your Bentley, your Rolls Royce, that’s wonderful, you had it. But then what you’ve done is signed it all the way, they own you, and they’re never gonna give you an opportunity to be in that position again.”

Video: expediTIouslyWe