Tyler Perry is a famous face in Hollywood. He is an actor, director, and screenwriter known for his films, plays, and renowned character, Madea. Given his fame, it is no surprise that many have been wondering about Tyler Perry’s sexual orientation.
At first glance, it seems like the movie mogul swings the straight way. But when one feels so comfortable dressing up and acting as a woman, some might wonder if there isn’t more to it. Indeed, Perry’s involvement with the “Madea” character may cast some doubt on how he swings, but does that make him gay?
Not particularly. But what about a testimony from his friend that seems to allege Perry used to be gay? Keep reading to learn more about his sexuality.
Is Tyler Perry Gay?
Tyler Perry may be very adept at acting as a woman, but he has never confirmed himself as gay. Rumors that he is gay gained ground when his former friend, Walter Lee Hampton, made some allegations. Hampton alleged Tyler Perry was once a gay black man who has since turned his back on the gay community.
Walter Lee Hampton made the allegation on a YouTube video that detailed his complex relationship with Perry. In it, he alleged that the producer feared the popular Madea stage performances would fall out of public graces if he were found to be gay.
Shortly after the video went viral, Hampton reportedly received a large gash on his face that required 120 stitches. Many suspected that it may have been the consequences of his outing Perry in the video that caught up to him. However, Hampton denied this, claiming instead that a glass door fell on him.
Tyler Lepley Also Fueled the Rumors
Perry has always been very good at keeping his life away from the public. This has left it up to speculation, which led to the rise of rumors that made people ask: “Is Tyler Perry gay?”
Another person that fueled this hunt for clarity was actor Tyler Lepley. Lepley started starring in Perry’s drama series “The Haves and the Have Nots” on OWN in 2013. Immediately after he started playing his role in the series, rumors that claimed he was dating Perry started to swirl.
In 2020, Lepley appeared on the sex and relationships podcast “Lip Service,” where he addressed the topic.
He said: “I came out on a Tyler Perry show, and for whatever reason, he gets a rap like that, and I know Tyler [Perry] personally, and he’s not gay. I was seen around him, and suddenly, ‘he’s rubbing off on me,’ and people felt like I was gay or something like that.”
He added, “I think if you have a space that people can’t figure out, they can create a judgment.”
Lepley went public with his relationship with his girlfriend, Miracle Watts, in December of 2021, putting his gay rumors on hold. Rumors that painted him gay seem to have sprung from his time as a series regular in the Starz show, “P-Valley.”
Lepley said: “I had done something while I was on the set of ‘P-Valley.’ Maybe I was with Clifford, or I think I was taking a picture with Alphonse, who plays Little Murda, and people started with the gay thing again.”
Tyler Lepley believes it is easy for people to make wrong assumptions if they can’t figure out things about you which is why there are rumors about him and Perry.
Tyler Perry’s Relationship History
Perry was in a confirmed relationship with a woman until December 16, 2020, when he announced that he was once more single. The news shocked many as he had been in a long-term relationship with his ex-girlfriend, Ethiopian model Gelila Bekele.
The pair initially met in 2007 after attending a Prince concert and kicked things off. They dated for years and welcomed a child together in 2014 named Aman Tyler Perry.
Before her, Tyler Perry was romantically linked with model and talk show host Tyra Banks. The former couple were spotted in public together several times in 2006. He is also suspected of dating American Idol alum Fantasia Barrino because of their close friendship.