Interview with Tyler Perry

The Definition of Family

Family is a recurring theme in your work. Why is it so important to you, and what is your definition of family?

Family and faith are both very important to me, and forgiveness. I think that with everything I've done, in the end, whoever the central character is, they would find a way to forgive, because that's really important to me. Forgiveness is important in families, especially when there are so many secrets that need to be healed--for the most part, every family's got them.

[Image: The Payne family, clockwise from top left: Lance Gross as Calvin, Demetria McKinney as Janine, Allen Payne as C.J., Larramie "Doc" Shaw as Malik, LaVan Davis as Curtis "Pops", Cassi Davis as Ella, and China McClain as Jasmine.]