Tyler Perry gave a frosty answer when asked about lending his LA mansion to Meghan Markle in an interview with the Sunday Times.
Described by the paper as one of the ‘most powerful people in the film and television industry – and one of the richest’, the 55-year-old famously lent his $18m California home to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex after they quit the royal family in 2020.
At the time neither Markle nor Perry had met each other, but the pair are now close friends as he is godfather to the couple’s daughter Lilibet.
Asked about how he helped prepare the Duke and Duchess for their move to America, Perry shot back at the interviewer: ‘I didn’t.’
The Times noted that ‘any conversational intimacy evaporated’ as Perry bristled at the questions about Markle.
‘Meghan is from California. She knows California well. So there was nothing to prepare them for. But I will say this: what I learnt about mentioning them – because there’s this insatiable appetite to know all about them – is that any question that is asked becomes the headline of anything I say,’ the film mogul said.
When asked why the appetite for news about the couple is so insatiable, Perry said he doesn’t pay attention to the media.
‘You’re from the UK, you tell me,’ he fired back in the tense clash.
Then the interviewer reminded him the headlines are just as plentiful across the pond and Perry fired off another acid-tongued reply: ‘You think? Well, you would know better than I would because I’m not paying attention to that world.’
The Times said that at that point in the discussion it was ‘clearly time to cut to the next scene’ as Perry was in no mood to discuss his relationship with Meghan.
Speaking during Netflix’s 2022 documentary Harry & Meghan (in which Tyler appeared) the Duchess, 43, described how Tyler had offered the couple the use of his private jet, security team, and Los Angeles home.
According to Meghan, while speaking to the media mogul, she was ‘just crying and crying’, adding that sometimes it’s easier to ‘open up to someone who knows nothing at all’.
The warm friendship between Tyler and Meghan was on full show last week as the former royal attended The Paley Honors gala in Beverly Hills, where the 55-year-old visionary director, actor and philanthropist was honoured with a once-in-a-lifetime celebration of his career. He was also the recipient of the Paley Honors Award at the soirée.
Meghan donned a strapless black Oscar de la Renta gown with a front slit and strappy Celine heels at the event, held at the iconic Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills.
Sparkling around her neck was a diamond Logan Hollowell necklace, which she paired with rings by Lorraine Schwartz and Engender, according to Marie Claire.
Meghan and husband Prince Harry, 40 — who recently said the pair have no plans to return to the United Kingdom — were part of the Tribute Host Committee Chairs for the event, though he was not present on the red carpet.
Harry was in New York at the annual DealBook Summit, also attended by Jeff Bezos and Bill Clinton, where he revealed that he and wife Meghan Markle have no plans to return to the UK with Archie and Lilibet.
He said said his focus was on ‘being the best husband and the best dad that I can be’ – and claimed that due to security concerns in Britain there are things his two children ‘undoubtedly wouldn’t be able to do in the UK’.
Meghan’s hair was styled in a relaxed updo, and delicate makeup accentuated her features. She further accessorised her look with a gold Cartier Love bracelet.
In September, Meghan and Harry — who have reportedly taken a ‘twin track’ approach to public appearances, that will see them doing more things on their own rather than together — attended Perry’s star-studded birthday bash with Oprah.
Perry — who previously said Meghan treated him ‘like a therapist’ after quitting the royal family — also famously let the pair stay in his Santa Barbara home when they first moved to America.
He also posed with actress Tika Sumpter, 44, who thrilled in a silver gown.
Actress Kerry Washington, 47, was also present to celebrate Perry, and looked stunning in a vibrant blue gown.
Beyonce’s mom, Tina Knowles, 70, made the event as well, rocking a black blazer dress.
Meanwhile Yvette Nicole Brown, 53, looked chic in a black velvet suit and matching heels.
‘Throughout my career, I have strived to bring people together and to give a voice to those often underrepresented in media,’ Perry said in a statement after it was revealed he would be receiving the award.
‘Media has served as a vital platform for this mission, and I’m honoured to receive this award from The Paley Center for Media, an organisation that has dedicated itself to spotlighting the power and importance of media.’
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Maureen J. Reidy, the President & CEO of The Paley Center for Media, shared: ‘Through his acclaimed and prolific body of work, Tyler Perry has solidified his place as one of media’s greatest and most impactful figures.’
‘With each new project, he continues to move our industry, and our culture, forward, and it is our great privilege to present Tyler with our highest honor, The Paley Honors Award.’
Other Tribute Host Committee Chairs at the event were Ariel Emanuel, Jon Feltheimer, Whoopi Goldberg, Taraji P. Henson, Matt Johnson, Jeffrey Katzenberg, Gayle King, Debra L. Lee, Mellody Hobson and George Lucas, Scott Mills, The Honorable Nicole Avant and Ted Sarandos, and Kerry Washington.
The Paley Center for Media called Perry ‘one of the most inspiring, versatile, prolific, and innovative creatives working in media today’ adding that ‘Over the course of his storied career, he has produced over 2,000 episodes of television, and directed, written, and produced 28 feature films.’
The Paley Center for Media is a non-profit organization that’s dedicated to preserving television and radio history and exploring the cultural and social impact of media.
Back in 2020, after Harry and Meghan announced that they were saying goodbye to their royal duties and relocating to California, the couple, along with their then-one-year-old son, Archie, spent a few months living in Tyler’s Beverly Hills mansion.
During an interview with The Cut in 2022, Meghan, spoke out about her bond with Tyler, explaining that he got in touch with her after she first wed Harry in 2018.
She added that he sent her a ‘note’ in which he said he ‘understood’ the intense pressure she was under, and encouraged her to reach out if she ever needed help.
She soon began to open up to him about her struggles and the two grew close, despite them never even meeting in person.
‘Sometimes, you can tell your life story to a stranger on a plane as opposed to some of the people that are closest to you,’ she told The Cut.
According to the outlet, Tyler offering his home to the pair ‘became, in many ways, the reason that Meghan and Harry started their new life in Southern California.’
Meanwhile Perry previously shared about his friendship with the royal couple: ‘They hid out at my house for a long time. It was so great.’
The Hollywood titan revealed that the duo had previously shared the same publicist whom he used to deliver a message of support.
‘I sent them a note… and just said, “If you ever need anything, I’m here,” and she called months later and just talked to me like I was a therapist and we just had a great conversation.’
