There are few celebrities as divisive as Tyler Perry. People love talking about him and speculating about his private life, which is not surprising. Over the past decade, the question “Is Tyler Perry gay?” has been pondered by several viewers, reviewers, and authors.
Is Tyler Perry Gay? (filmmaker Was Once Gay in The 1990s)
Thanks to Madea and other comments, Tyler Perry’s sexuality has become a hot topic. Several well-known ladies, including Tyra Banks and Tasha Smith, have been associated with him romantically. He was in a relationship with Gelia Bekele from 2009 till 2020, and they had a child together.
Walter Lee Hampton II, a former acquaintance of Tyler Perry’s, stated that the director was gay in the ’90s, but that he has since left the LGBT community, fueling further conjecture. Walter uploaded a video on YouTube on April 16th, 2013, in an attempt to clarify his complicated relationship with Tyler.
On April 24th, 2013, he uploaded another video to YouTube called The “OUTING of TYLER PERRY.” He also stated that his renowned Madea concerts would no longer be financially and critically successful if Tyler Perry came out of the closet. Is it possible to “out” a gay man who has already left the closet?
Tyler Perry: How Does He Feel About Sexuality?
Even though Tyler Perry hasn’t addressed the topic much, fans are curious about his romantic life. Most people assume he has a soft spot for females based on his social media connections, but he has never come out and said it. His somewhat quiet existence has led to much speculation over his sexual orientation, including if he is gay.
Some believe he is simply being private for his own protection, while others speculate that he is gay and afraid to come out because of the prejudice he may face, particularly among African Americans.
Some people think Tyler Perry is gay, but why?
Over the years, Tyler Perry built a media empire from the ground up. From penning a screenplay in his car to directing twenty films and counting, his success is undeniable.
It didn’t take long for his admirers and followers to wonder about his sexuality, though, because that kind of fame always comes with rumors. It’s unfortunate for them. I’m disappointed since I haven’t seen him say this anywhere.
Is Tyler Perry gay? If so, why? It turns out that there are a lot of clues, both obvious and subtle, that point in that direction. Some of the most common theories regarding Tyler Perry’s sexual orientation are as follows.
Connecting the Haves and Have-Nots
His 2013 series The Haves and the Have-nots was his first major work. He became close to a young actor called Tyler Lepley when they were casting. A lot of people started talking about how they were dating because they were seen together so often. On the other hand, in 2020, Lepley refuted everything on a podcast.
Perry’s Support for the LGBTQ+ Community
Despite this, Perry has been an outspoken advocate for LGBTQ+ rights. To combat prejudice, he has opened his studio to LGBTQ+ youth and spoken out against it.
Dispelling Stereotypes
Finally, Perry’s perceived “feminine” behavior is not indicative of his sexual orientation, although some may find it amusing.
So, while rumors abound, Perry has not officially stated anything. What matters most is that it is his business, doesn’t it?
Who Tyler Perry has dated in the past
Tasha Smith
Actor Tyler Perry was allegedly romantically involved with Tasha Smith, an actress who appeared in several of Perry’s late-2000s films. But it appears they were merely buddies.
Tyra Banks
Model and TV host Tyra Banks was another ex-boyfriend of Perry’s. Their multiple 2006 sightings together sparked rumors that they were an item or were having an intimate relationship. Nonetheless, both Perry and Banks have vehemently denied any romantic involvement between them.
Gellia Bekele
One of Perry’s alleged ex-girlfriends is Gelila Bekele. They were together from 2007 to 2020, and in 2014 they had a son named Aman. Perry revealed that he was by himself and considering his options after they ended their affair.
Perry would rather keep his private life under wraps, so that’s something to keep in mind. Consequently, the public is only aware of these interactions involving him.
