Tyler Perry Reveals Why He Let Go of His Aunt: Emphasizes Only ‘Worthy’ Family Can Join Him on His ‘Boat’

Tyler Perry maintains a ruthless approach to his career, even if it involves severing ties with family. At 55, he joined entrepreneur Derrick Hayes and rapper Jay “Jeezy” Jenkins on Kirk Franklin’s “Den of Kings” podcast, where he discussed hiring family members for his burgeoning entertainment empire, encompassing Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta. During the July 20 episode, he revealed that following his mother's death, he had to terminate relatives' employment. He shared, “I fired my aunt,” citing her consistent absenteeism after requesting a job. He emphasized that he prefers to guide family towards independence instead of enabling dependency, stating, “You’ve got to watch the family members that come putting holes in the boat.” Perry noted that while those let go found work that might not be lucrative, it fostered dignity within them. He has amassed a fortune through his iconic productions while stressing the importance of differentiating family from business to ensure success.

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