Tyler Perry Responds to Critics Behind ‘Divorce in the Black’: 'You Gotta Drown All of That Out'

Tyler Perry has addressed the critics who had something to say about his films, especially his latest, Divorce in the Black.

On the latest episode of Keke Palmer's Baby, This Is Keke Palmer podcast, the filmmaker appeared as a guest and was asked about the criticisms he's received regarding his new movie. Palmer brought up fellow filmmaker Justin Simien, who had some words for his peer and the films he's made over the years, but Perry explained that he handles things calmly and is very disciplined, so he doesn't pay attention to comments.

According to Perry, he can't waste time listening to people who try to undermine his purpose. For every person who bashes Perry for making the same type of movie several times, some tell him these films have changed their lives, and that means more to him than anything a critic can say about him.

"You got to drown all of that out because if you let somebody talk you out of a place that God has put you in, you are going to find yourself in hell," said Perry. "I know for a fact that what I'm doing is exactly what I'm supposed to be doing because for everyone who is a critic, I have thousands of emails from people saying 'This changed my life.' 'Oh my God, you know me.' 'Oh my God, you saw me, how did you know this about my life, my family?' So that is what is important to me."

He continued, "We're talking a large portion of my fans who are disenfranchised who cannot get in the Volvo and go to therapy on the weekend. So you got this highbrow Negro who is all up in the air with his nose up looking at everything, and then you got people like where I come from and me who are grinders who really know what it's like whose mothers were caregivers for white kids and were maids and housekeepers and all of these beauticians. Don't discount these people and say that their story don't matter. Who are you to be able to say which Black story is important or should be told. Get out of here with that bullshit."

Corey Hardrict, who stars in Perry's new film Divorce in the Black, recently defended the film from critics who panned it in their reviews. According to TMZ, the movie has a 0 percent critic rating on Rotten Tomatoes but a 72 percent audience score. Regardless, Hardrict claimed the film is the No. 1 movie in the world and claimed he doesn't know what the critics are talking about.

"I don't know nothing about it," he said. "I didn't see that. I mean, the people love the movie and we do it for the people–that's who I do it for. If the culture's rocking with it, it's all love. Shoutout Mr. Perry, I love Mr. Perry, though. That's my guy."

He added, "Everyone has an opinion, and they're entitled to it. So it's fine. But as long as the people see it, my neighborhood see it, South Side, Chicago, L.A. see it, everybody see it, then I'm happy, it's all love."