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When I saw an interview with American filmmaker Tyler Perry published by the Times of London was causing a stir online, my first thought was…
‘Who the hell is Tyler Perry?’
Well, it turns out he is fairly well-known as a purveyor of lowbrow comedies that rarely see release outside the United States. He writes, directs and even stars in them. He’s famous for playing a grandmother named Madea, apparently.
He’s also known for being Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s original benefactor when they fled the Royal Family in 2020 and took up residence in California.
Yes, before they set themselves up in their Montecito mansion, Perry swooped in and let them stay at his own palatial Beverly Hills home worth $18million until they found their feet.
And now, almost five years after saving the Sussexes from homelessness, it seems Perry is still throwing favours their way.
When asked by the Times reporter how he helped Meghan and Harry prepare for their LA move, the Hollywood entrepreneur made a point of not only shutting the question down with two frosty words, but also taking a swipe at the British press in general.
‘I didn’t,’ he shot back, prompting The Times to note that ‘any conversational intimacy evaporated’ and the interview soon went off the rails. Ouch.
Tyler Perry was Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s original benefactor when they fled the Royal Family in 2020 and took up residence in California. He still seems to be slinging favours their way, writes Amanda Goff. (Perry and Meghan are pictured on December 4)
When asked by the Times of London how he helped Meghan and Harry prepare for their LA move, Perry made a point of not only shutting the question down with two frosty words, but also taking a swipe at the British press in general. (Harry and Meghan are pictured in September 2023)
While we can’t know for certain whether Perry was acting as a mouthpiece for the Sussexes here – and bear in mind they have a history of briefing their A-list friends on what to say to the press – his words immediately sounded off to me.
When he told the Times journalist to back off, I read it as: ‘They’re ours now – and I won’t let you hurt them anymore.’
Noble? Yes. Cringe? Also yes.
More importantly, it shows that almost five years after Megxit, the Sussexes still see the world as in terms of ‘us versus them’ – with America firmly entrenched as the ‘good guys’ and the Brits cast as the plum-voiced Hollywood villains.
It also suggests to me that any chance of a reconciliation with the Royal Family remains vanishingly slim, despite reports King Charles deeply misses his wayward son.
Perry and Meghan were pictured together this week at The Paley Honors gala in Beverly Hills, where the 55-year-old filmmaker and philanthropist was honoured with a celebration of his illustrious career.
Meghan, who – let’s be honest – rarely misses the opening of an envelope, was pictured all over her friend who so valiantly rescued her in her time of need. In terms of saviours, he’s only second to her husband Harry, who rescued her from the Canadian set of Suits, a TV sitcom that she was apparently on her way out of when they met anyway.
Anyway, back to *that* question. There was nothing terribly offensive about it, was there?
While we can’t know for certain whether Perry was acting as a mouthpiece for the Sussexes here – and bear in mind they have a history of briefing their A-list friends on what to say to the press – Perry’s words immediately sounded off to me, writes Amanda (pictured). When he told the journalist to back off, I read it as: ‘They’re ours now – and I won’t let you hurt them anymore’
After brushing off the reporter, he added: ‘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.’
Then, when asked why the appetite for news about the couple was so insatiable, Perry fired back, ‘You’re from the UK, you tell me.’ The suggestion that Americans might also have equally strong feelings about Harry and Meghan prompted Perry to remark: ‘You think? Well, you would know better than I would because I’m not paying attention to that world.’
Of course, the truth is Perry did indeed help them prepare for life in LA. In 2020, he sent Meghan, whom he did not know, a note saying: ‘If you ever need anything, I’m here.’
Meghan leapt at the offer to live in his $18million home with access to his private jet and security team. I mean, what girl wouldn’t say yes to that? Meghan knows a good deal when she sees one.
Not only did she seize the offer with both hands, but once she and Harry were safely ensconced in Beverly Hills – where they could at last escape the paparazzi! – she made Perry godfather to their daughter Lilibet.
Perry seems to relish his role as the exiled royals’ protector. And his blunt words offer a brief but fascinating insight into how Harry and Meghan – or at least their inner circle – continue to view their relationship with Britain and the monarchy.
Yes, despite being part of the furniture in Montecito, Perry still acts as though Harry and Meghan require some American muscle to scare off the mean old English.
Please.
Perhaps this is even how Meghan views the situation herself, almost five years after she fled Britain. Who could possibly say? But Perry’s interview certainly invites speculation.
Personally, I never had too much sympathy for the Sussexes. After that Oprah interview in 2021, I was done. Talk about biting the hand that feeds; their unforgivable tell-all was like chewing off the arms of the people who loved you.
I grew up in London. Londoners loved the Queen, especially in working-class areas. I remember excitedly waving my Union Jack flag and eating trifle at a street party in the East End on the Queen’s Silver Jubilee in 1977.
I was three years old and if you’re not British, it’s hard to understand the magic of the royals and how they unite the country. They are beacons of light especially in dark times – not to mention a boon to our tourism industry.
When Princess Diana announced her pregnancy with William, an eight-year-old me wrote her a poem. Imagine my excitement when I received a handwritten thank-you note in the mail a few weeks later, signed simply ‘Diana’.
As a little girl, it made my year. As a 50-year-old woman, it still makes me smile.
And then came along Meghan, an actress who, apparently, had her sights set on Harry for a while. We all know the story – they meet, they marry, the Brits (for the most part) loved her. Then they buggered off to America, leaving the Queen broken-hearted.
Then came Oprah, Spotify, Netflix. That book. Royal-bashing sold to the highest bidder.
Seeing Tyler Perry reinforce the view held by some Americans – and Britons – that the Sussexes are victims in all this and need protection made my eyes roll.
My message to Meghan is simple: Hollywood is a fickle friend; Britain, on the other hand, isn’t your enemy, and you don’t require protecting from its monarchy, its press or its people.
Despite everything that has happened, you know the Royal Family would welcome you two back in a heartbeat. Charles’ love for his youngest son runs too deep.
The longer you leave Britain behind, the harder it will be to eventually go home. Remember, the British are a forgiving lot. Look how they welcomed Camilla into the fold.
One day you may find that family – real family – are what matters more than Hollywood friends.
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