Tyler Perry says Barack Obama helped him kick his alcohol habit
Tyler Perry says Barack Obama helped him kick his alcohol habit
Madea’s Witness Protection star Tyler Perry spoke candidly with Essence during a recent interview, and revealed that he used to turn to alcohol to help him cope with the pain of losing his mother, who died in 2009. The actor/director says that a visit from President Obama prompted him to kick his alcohol habit.
“When she got sick in 2009 I started drinking every night because I couldn’t sleep — every night up to a couple of months ago,” Perry said.
“I’d have me a nice big glass of Hennessy and I would sleep through the night. It was President Obama’s visit to my studio, I don’t know what happened there, but when he came everything became clear. I just kind of came out of a haze. It was like, “Wake up, kid. You know life is still going on. I know you miss her, I know you care but wake up. Life is still going on.” I swear the day after he left was the day I just said I am going to sleep without it.”
Tyler Perry held a fundraiser for President Obama in March at Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta. One thousand donors attended the event and tickets were sold for the hefty sum of $500, though a smaller number were priced at $250.
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