Tyler Perry found himself in an emotional moment on “The View” as he reminisced about his late mother, Willie Maxine Perry. The 54-year-old filmmaker made an appearance on the daytime talk show to discuss his latest documentary, “Maxine’s Baby: The Tyler Perry Story,” a touching tribute to his mother, who passed away in 2009 after a prolonged battle with illness.
During the conversation, “The View” co-host Sara Haines, who had watched the documentary, commended Tyler for embodying the principles of faith and spirituality that she had learned. She praised him, saying, “You’re amazing.” Haines also admitted that through the documentary, she felt as though she had met Maxine Perry, whom she had not known previously. This statement visibly moved Tyler, who responded, “OK, wait a minute… You met my mother through the documentary? Wow. Thank you.”
He continued, emotionally, “To say that you met her through that, that takes me somewhere because she — this woman endured so much pain and she didn’t have some legacy, but she had me,” referencing his role in the popular film “Madea’s Family Reunion.” He added, “To say that I was able to introduce her to you — you got me there, man. I’m sorry. … Lord, have mercy.” Haines, 46, expressed her gratitude for Tyler sharing his mother’s story with the public.
The conversation then shifted towards Tyler’s challenging childhood, marked by a great deal of trauma, but he interrupted to express his ongoing emotional state, saying, “I’m sorry, guys,” and reiterating his profound appreciation for Haines’ earlier comments about meeting his mother. He admitted that he needed a moment to collect himself. Haines herself became teary-eyed during this exchange, and co-host Whoopi Goldberg offered her a package of tissues.
Tyler Perry reflected on his mother’s life, saying, “I just imagine a woman who’s lived her life with so much pain, and she was always worried about everybody else and, I think, I watched her get sick, I watched her get cancer, I watched her get all of these things because her intention was, ‘Are you happy?’ ‘Are you OK?”
He went on to emphasize that his mother never considered herself important and never thought anyone would care about her. Therefore, the fact that this documentary, created by filmmakers Gelila Bekele and Armani Ortiz, introduces her to the world moved him deeply because she held a special place in his heart.
In this emotionally charged interview, Tyler Perry opened up about his mother’s life and the profound impact she had on him as he shared the heartfelt story of their relationship with “The View” audience.
