After watching a screening of the new movie Precious - which centers on a teenage girl struggling to overcome mental and physical abuse - comedian Tyler Perry said "a large part of my childhood had just played out before my eyes."
Perry then revealed he was sexually and physically abused as a child.
"I always thought I would die before I grew up," Perry, 40, wrote in a letter to fans on his Web site, before recounting the various abuse he suffered.
One night, he says his father "came home mad at the world. He was drunk, as he was most of the time. He got the vacuum cleaner extension cord, trapped me in a room and beat me until the skin was coming off my back."
He says a neighbor woman molested him at age 10 and that his grandmother tried to to rid him of his allergies by giving him "a bath in ammonia."
"She said she was going to kill these germs on me once and for all," Perry recalled of an incident that surely scarred him for life in multiple ways.
Tyler Perry is going public with a painful part of his past.
Watching Precious - which he produced, along with Oprah Winfrey, "hit me so hard. I sat there in tears realizing that somehow, by the grace of God, I made it through. My tears were tears of joy, being thankful that I made it."
Like Mackenzie Phillips, Tyler Perry hopes his tales of hardship will help those who suffered similar (and worse) abuses in their formative years.
Looking back, Perry says his faith has gotten him through tough times. "Forgiveness has been my weapon of choice. It has helped to free me."
"If you're having a hard time getting over something in your life, maybe you can try forgiveness too. It's not easy, but it does bring forth healing."
Talk about a painful story but also an inspiring message from a guy who's obviously overcome a lot to achieve a strong career doing what he loves.
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14 Comments
October 6th, 2009 3:09 PM
Horrible..
October 6th, 2009 3:16 PM
I tell you thing he is so trut I was abused when I was younger and the worse thing I did was holding on to all that pain. Once I let it go and forgave it was easier day by day to deal with the reality of things. Don't get me wrong I still have problems and still go to conuseling but I am getting better. I hate that for Tyler cause he is a wonderful person and love his movies. Just know that for giving someone is the best way to hwlp your self threw the hard times. Holding it in that person has won and is winning everyday that you are alive. Why would you give that power to someone. I woldn't and that is what I had to learn. God bless you Perry...
October 6th, 2009 4:27 PM
Good for him for opening up, acceptance is the first stage. Unlike McKenzie Phillips it doesn't seem fake and attention hungry.
October 6th, 2009 5:26 PM
aaw thats so sad. :(
October 6th, 2009 5:35 PM
this is so sad. i'm so happy that he took his pain and made something good out of it. good for him. he is amazing man and huge inspiration
October 6th, 2009 8:07 PM
Wow...that's insane!
To make a movie out of it too...so sad! Poor guy!
October 6th, 2009 9:19 PM
wow...thats totally crazy but it's good to let it out...
October 6th, 2009 9:19 PM
tyler perry is a strong man and he is doing well now good for him not letting this keep him down.
October 6th, 2009 11:06 PM
Proof that your past doesn't define you. "Forget about the people from your past; there's a reason they won't make it to your future."
October 7th, 2009 12:12 AM
So sad. Stay strong!