Tyler Perry, a big name in media and a close friend of Meghan Markle, had a pretty chilly response when someone asked him about his bond with the Duchess of Sussex in a recent interview.
The billionaire, who made headlines for letting Meghan and Prince Harry stay in his $18 million mansion after they left royal life, seemed tense and reserved when talking about it.
Tyler Perry’s cold response reveals guarded feelings
In an interview with the Sunday Times, Perry got a bit defensive when questioned about letting Meghan and Harry use his LA mansion.
When asked if he had helped them get ready for life in America, Perry cut in with a quick, “I didn’t.”
Perry bristles when asked about Meghan Markle
The Sunday Times noted that the friendly vibe of the chat quickly vanished as Perry reacted sharply to the Meghan Markle questions.
He said, “Meghan is from California. She knows California well. So there was nothing to prepare them for.”
The insatiable appetite for news about Harry and Meghan
Perry went on to explain, “What I learned about mentioning them – because there’s this huge appetite to know everything about them – is that any question asked becomes the headline of whatever I say.”
Tensions rise during the interview
When the interviewer asked why people are so obsessed with news about the couple, Perry said he doesn’t really keep up with the media.
“You’re from the UK, you tell me,” he snapped back, making for a pretty tense moment.
Revisiting Perry’s crucial support for the Sussexes
In Netflix’s 2022 documentary Harry & Meghan, Meghan shared how Perry had offered the couple his private jet, security, and a place to stay in LA.
Meghan said she was “just crying and crying” when talking to Perry, saying it can be easier to “open up to someone who doesn’t know much about you.”
Meghan dazzles while supporting Perry at a gala
Their friendship was on full display recently when Meghan attended The Paley Honors gala in Beverly Hills. The event celebrated Perry’s incredible career as a director, actor, and philanthropist — and Meghan was there to support him.
Meghan and Harry’s evolving public appearances
Back in September, Meghan and Harry showed up at Perry’s star-studded birthday party alongside Oprah.
Reports say the couple is adopting a “twin track” strategy for public appearances, meaning they’ll be doing more solo activities as well.
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Tyler Perry has a special bond with the Sussexes
Perry, who once said Meghan leaned on him “like a therapist” after leaving the royal family, let them stay at his Santa Barbara home when they first arrived in the U.S. Meghan has said that Perry reached out to her soon after her 2018 wedding to Harry.
Meghan is grateful for Perry’s support
Meghan shared that Perry offering them a home “became, in many ways, the reason that Meghan and Harry started their new life in Southern California.”
She said he also sent her a note saying he “understood” the immense pressure she was dealing with.
Tyler Perry’s achievements and recognition
At The Paley Honors gala, Perry said, “Throughout my career, I’ve tried to bring people together and give a voice to those who don’t often get represented in media. Media has been a powerful platform for that mission, and it’s an honor to get this award from The Paley Center for Media.”
It’s clear that Tyler Perry values his privacy when it comes to his bond with Meghan and Harry, but their connection seems unshakeable. Whether it’s offering a helping hand or sharing a laugh at a gala, their story keeps fans talking.