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Tyler Perry utilized his presence at the 2025 BET Awards to tackle issues surrounding the entertainment industry's treatment of Black artists and their heritage. During his acceptance of the Cultural Icon Award, Perry spoke openly about the evolving landscape of Hollywood and the trends he observes in how studios approach Black-led narratives and initiatives.
“They are removing our books from libraries, they are removing our stories and our history, they are removing our names from government buildings. It’s as if someone wants to erase our footprints,”
Perry commented on what he characterized as a movement by studios to lessen or eliminate the influence of Black creators from the mainstream story. The moment created a change in atmosphere for the event, which had otherwise honored cultural accomplishments in music, television, and film.
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Perry’s remarks did not specify any individual companies or leaders but highlighted a wider trend where historical contributions, creative ownership, and artistic control are progressively endangered. His comment highlighted a longstanding discussion regarding inclusion, ownership, and systemic control in the entertainment industry.
The address did not answer everything, yet it sparked fresh inquiries regarding the future of Black narratives in Hollywood and who has the authority to shape that legacy.
Tyler Perry calls out Hollywood studios in BET Awards speech
During the BET Awards ceremony on June 9, 2025, Tyler Perry took the stage at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles and delivered a speech that gained widespread attention. As reported by The Hollywood Reporter on June 9, 2025, Perry stated,
“They are removing our books from libraries, they are removing our stories and our history, they are removing our names from government buildings. It’s as if someone wants to erase our footprints.”
According to HuffPost on June 10, 2025, Perry explained,
“If our children don’t know our history, they won’t know our power.”
He spoke about the Tulsa Race Massacre of 1921 as an example of efforts to suppress Black progress and history. He described Black resilience by stating,
“The truth of the matter [is], it’s impossible to erase our footprints, because we left them on water. What I mean by that is, we were snatched from our homeland, bought across the ocean and left footprints all the way to America.”
Perry told the audience,
“This is not the time to be silent. This is not the time to give up. This is the time to dig in and keep leaving footprints everywhere you go.”
He also pointedly stated,
“I have made more Black billionaires than any studio in this city combined. Because I’m making footprints.”
He closed his remarks with encouragement,
“So I don’t care if you’re struggling, if you’re trying to make it, if you’re trying to build a business. If you have a dream, keep making footprints. Don’t let anybody stop you. You can do it.”
His words were echoed across social media and press coverage, amplifying a larger call for continued cultural visibility and ownership.
Tyler Perry’s work and career in entertainment
Tyler Perry (born Emmitt Perry Jr., September 13, 1969) is an American actor, filmmaker, writer, and playwright. He is best known for creating the character Madea and for producing a large body of work spanning stage plays, films, and television.
Tyler Perry began his career in the early 1990s with the stage play I Know I’ve Been Changed, and despite early failures, he found commercial success by 1998. Perry transitioned into film with Diary of a Mad Black Woman (2005) and has since produced and directed numerous movies including Madea's Family Reunion, Why Did I Get Married?, Acrimony, Duplicity and A Fall from Grace.
In television, Tyler Perry created successful series like House of Payne, The Haves and the Have Nots, Sistas, and The Oval. His 2012 partnership with Oprah Winfrey and OWN significantly expanded scripted content on the network. In 2019, he launched Tyler Perry Studios, a 330-acre studio complex in Atlanta, built on a former Confederate military base.
According to Forbes, Perry was the highest-paid man in entertainment in 2011, earning $130 million. He has received several accolades including the Governor’s Award (2020), the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award (2021), and inclusion in Time's 100 Most Influential People list. As of 2025, his net worth is estimated at $1 billion.
Tyler Perry maintains full ownership of his content and production company. His work continues to highlight themes rooted in Black American experiences, often addressing issues like family, faith, and resilience. He has also faced critical debate regarding stereotypes, but he remains one of the most commercially successful and influential Black creatives in the industry.
