Tyler Perry: Turning Pain into Power | 274

Even the Rich

Wondery

Society & Culture

4.3 • 11.5K Ratings

🗓️ 22 April 2025

⏱️ 53 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Born in New Orleans, young Tyler Perry is forced to contend with all sorts of abuse. Some is at the hands of his explosive and alcoholic father, as well as neighbors and people he thought he could trust. Eventually, he escapes to Atlanta to pursue his dreams of writing and performing - while working countless menial jobs and living in his car along the way. But in 1998, when his lead actress doesn’t show up to perform in his play, he rewrites the entire show overnight - with his character (Madea) now the lead. And just like that - everything changes. Tyler strikes gold - tapping into an audience that, up until then - had been ignored by Hollywood. Madea makes Tyler an instant star, and sets him on a course to become one of the most powerful and influential figures in entertainment.

You can follow Brooke and Aricia on socials at @brookesiffrinn and @ariciaskidmorewilliamss. And check out the brand new Even the Rich merch store at www.eventherich.com.

Be the first to know about Wondery’s newest podcasts, curated recommendations, and more! Sign up now at https://wondery.fm/wonderynewsletter

Listen to Even The Rich on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. Experience all episodes ad-free and be the first to binge the newest season. Unlock exclusive early access by joining Wondery+ in the Wondery App or on Apple Podcasts. Start your free trial today by visiting wondery.com/links/even-the-rich/ now.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0	Wonderry Plus subscribers can binge the newest season of Even the Rich before anyone else.
0:04.4	Join Wondery Plus in the Wondery app or on Apple Podcasts.
0:08.2	Heads up, Richies.
0:09.3	In today's episode, we discuss sexual assault and suicide.
0:12.9	Please be advised.
0:20.4	Okay, Brooke, this is super weird because we randomly talked about this the other day, but you've never kept a journal, right?
0:27.3	No, no. I have, I have a journal that I write like manifestations in.
0:33.2	The ones where you write Brooke Shea Sifrin everywhere?
0:35.5	Uh-huh. Those generals? Yeah, those. I love to doodle.
0:38.5	Yeah.
0:39.7	So today's subject starts journaling as a way to process the trauma of an abusive
0:44.5	childhood.
0:45.4	But then he turns those journals into a stage play and reaches an audience that Hollywood
0:49.6	has been ignoring.
0:50.8	And eventually, this formally unhoused man is selling out theaters across the country.
0:57.1	He creates a hilarious and iconic character that will be the lead in 13 feature films.
1:02.0	His ability to connect with audiences and churn out TV shows and movies faster than anyone in the
1:07.3	industry makes him the first black man to own a major motion picture studio.
1:11.9	Today, we're talking about actor, writer, director, and legit entertainment mogul, Tyler Perry.
1:23.9	It's early 1998, and Tyler Perry has been trying forever to get audiences to come see his play.
1:30.3	I know I've been changed.
1:32.1	And now, after six years of low-ticket sales and draining his own bank account to finance his dream,
	...

Transcript will be available on the free plan in 21 days. Upgrade to see the full transcript now.

Previous episode | Next episode

Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from Wondery, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.

Generated transcripts are the property of Wondery and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.