Tyler Perry Honored at 2024 Paley Center Honors for His Impact on Media

The 2024 Paley Center Honors paid tribute to Tyler Perry on Wednesday, Dec. 4, in a star-studded ceremony at The Beverly Wilshire Hotel.

Surrounded by a constellation of friends and collaborators, including Meghan Markle, Kerry Washington, Tika Sumpter, Debbie Allen, Tina Knowles, and others, Perry received the Paley Center for Media’s highest accolade.

In a statement released ahead of the event, Perry reflected on the significance of the honor: “Throughout my career, I have strived to bring people together and to give a voice to those often underrepresented in media.

Media has served as a vital platform for this mission, and I’m honored to receive this award from The Paley Center for Media, an organization that has dedicated itself to spotlighting the power and importance of media.”

Maureen J. Reidy, President and CEO of The Paley Center for Media, highlighted Perry’s transformative influence: “Through his acclaimed and prolific body of work, Tyler Perry has solidified his place as one of media’s greatest and most impactful figures.

With each new project, he continues to move our industry and culture forward, and it is our great privilege to present Tyler with our highest honor, The Paley Honors Award.”

A Moving Acceptance Speech

Perry’s acceptance speech, described as “passionate” by PEOPLE, struck an emotional chord. He began by apologizing to members of the press for not completing the red carpet, explaining he was overcome with emotion upon seeing a childhood photo taken by his late mother.

“It’s been 15 years, almost to the day, that she passed, so this time of year is really, really difficult for me,” Perry shared. “When he showed me that picture, I want to apologize to you guys because I lost it […] But I’m here.”

In a vulnerable moment, Perry revealed his recent journey into intensive therapy, marking the first time he has confronted the deep effects of trauma in his life.

He recounted his experiences of being sexually assaulted as a child and enduring physical abuse at home but underscored that these hardships did not extinguish his compassion or capacity to heal.

“They could not strip away my heart and my care for others, and they could not grip away my ability to heal,” Perry declared. He encouraged the audience to hold on to their resilience, urging, “Do not let anybody steal your ability to heal.”