Tyler Perry Urges Hollywood to Speak Up at BET Awards: ‘Now Is Not the Time for Silence’

Tyler Perry made headlines at the 2025 BET Awards with a powerful message aimed at Hollywood studios. Before Ledisi performed “BLKWMN,” Perry shared a touching moment he had with his son on the beach. His child said, “I’m walking in your footsteps,” to which Perry replied, “No, let’s walk together.” This moment inspired his larger message about legacy and presence.

“Pay attention to what’s happening in this country,” Perry urged. He highlighted issues such as the removal of books from libraries and the erasure of history and identity. “It’s as if someone wants to erase our footprints,” he noted, speaking about the importance of recognizing the struggles and achievements of the past.

Perry emphasized resilience, saying, “It’s impossible to erase our footprints because they were left in water. We were taken from our homeland and left traces all the way to America.” This reflection underlines the continuous impact of history on current lives.

He encouraged everyone not to be silent or give up. “This is the time to dig in and keep leaving footprints everywhere.” He pointed out his unique contribution to creating Black billionaires, claiming, “I have made more Black billionaires than any studio in this city combined.” This assertion speaks to his dedication to uplifting others in the industry.

Perry also expressed gratitude to Black women for their unwavering support. He acknowledged, “Black women have held me down, and I appreciate you deeply.”

In the lead-up to the awards, Kendrick Lamar had the most nominations, with ten, while others like Doechii and Future followed closely behind. The night featured electrifying performances from artists such as Lil Wayne and Teyana Taylor.

Kevin Hart hosted the event at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. Despite ongoing protests related to immigration policies, BET confirmed the ceremony would proceed as planned, showing the resilience and importance of celebrating Black excellence.

For further reading on the impact of Black creators in Hollywood, you can check this insightful article from Variety.

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