Tyler Perry Wants Actors To Stop Buying Billboards To Get His Attention

BY Erika Marie 7.0K Views
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Tyler Perry
He recently called out an actress on Instagram and told her that's not the way he works.

Media mogul Tyler Perry is known to give actors their big breaks by casting unknowns for his stage plays, films, and television shows. His reputation has caused many aspiring hopefuls to use unorthodox methods in order to get his attention, including renting billboards on the side of the highway. A woman named Racquel Bailey is the latest actress who's gone lengths to work with Perry, but he issued a public service announcement telling people to stop doing this and just audition like everyone else.

Auhhh.... soooooo...... here’s the deal. This is not the way to get my attention if you’re looking for a role in one of my shows. Please DON’T DO THIS, SAVE YOUR MONEY!! This is the third time that someone has done this. PLEASE STOP! To audition is FREE!! I’m sure you can use that money for a better purpose. I love that you want to work with me, and I love that you invest in yourself. But when you do things like this it puts my team on high alert and makes me look at you sideways. I know the message that you want to send is a positive one, but this comes across as the opposite. Again, the best way to work for me is to AUDITION and it’s FREE! We post breakdowns all the time for actors. JUST COME AND AUDITION. And by the way, you were great in THE NIGHT OF! It was my favorite show a couple years ago. I ALREADY SAW YOU!! So just audition and keep your money!! Again, I appreciate your effort, but that’s not the way to work for me.  God bless you dreamer. I have no doubt you will make it one day!!

Others in the industry co-signed Perry's sentiments by commenting on his post. Tina Lawson, Beyoncé's mother, said that because Perry's a "star maker," people will do anything to work with him. Marlon Wayans stated that "promotion is not skill," but pounding the pavement and shaping your craft, is. There were others who believed that Perry's message to the woman was rude, saying that he didn't have to call her out. Either way, she not only received the attention of the drivers who sped past her billboard, but of the world because Perry shared it with his nearly four million Instagram followers.

About The Author
Since 2019, Erika Marie has worked as a journalist for HotNewHipHop, covering music, film, television, art, fashion, politics, and all things regarding entertainment. With 20 years in the industry under her belt, Erika Marie moved from a writer on the graveyard shift at HNHH to becoming a Features Editor, highlighting long-form content and interviews with some of Hip Hop’s biggest stars. She has had the pleasure of sitting down with artists and personalities like DJ Jazzy Jeff, Salt ’N Pepa, Nick Cannon, Rah Digga, Rakim, Rapsody, Ari Lennox, Jacquees, Roxanne Shante, Yo-Yo, Sean Paul, Raven Symoné, Queen Naija, Ryan Destiny, DreamDoll, DaniLeigh, Sean Kingston, Reginae Carter, Jason Lee, Kamaiyah, Rome Flynn, Zonnique, Fantasia, and Just Blaze—just to name a few. In addition to one-on-one chats with influential public figures, Erika Marie also covers content connected to the culture. She’s attended and covered the BET Awards as well as private listening parties, the Rolling Loud festival, and other events that emphasize established and rising talents. Detroit-born and Long Beach (CA)-raised, Erika Marie has eclectic music taste that often helps direct the interests she focuses on here at HNHH. She finds it necessary to report on cultural conversations with respect and honor those on the mic and the hardworking teams that help get them there. Moreover, as an advocate for women, Erika Marie pays particular attention to the impact of femcees. She sits down with rising rappers for HNHH—like Big Jade, Kali, Rubi Rose, Armani Caesar, Amy Luciani, and Omerettà—to gain their perspectives on a fast-paced industry.

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