Keisha Lance Bottoms is defending the Tyler Perry appointment to her Georgia transition team, explaining that the entertainment mogul’s business success, job creation, and community involvement make him a valuable addition as she prepares to take office.
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During an appearance on “Yung Joc & The Streetz Morning Takeover,” Bottoms addressed questions surrounding her decision to name Perry as one of 10 co-chairs helping shape her incoming administration. The former Atlanta mayor emphasized that Perry’s selection is based on more than their personal friendship.
“Tyler is, one, a great friend. He’s a great human being. He has a multi-billion-dollar business in the heart of Atlanta,” she explained on the show. “He does a lot on behalf of the community. He employs a lot of people; he supports a lot of small businesses over at his studios. So it makes sense that he would be a part of it.”
Bottoms also clarified that Perry is not being given a position on a small, exclusive advisory team. Her transition operation is expected to expand to at least 100 participants, bringing together individuals with experience across multiple industries and areas of public service.
The transition team, called Georgia’s Promise, was announced on November 6, just three days after Bottoms won Georgia’s gubernatorial election.
Perry joins a group that includes Home Depot co-founder Arthur Blank, former Walgreens CEO Rosalind Brewer, former Georgia state Sen. Jason Carter, nonprofit leader Michelle Nunn, and several former Atlanta government officials.
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The group will help Bottoms prepare to assume office, develop administrative plans, and identify potential leaders for state agencies.
However, the Tyler Perry appointment has generated controversy beyond questions about why a Hollywood executive would be involved in Georgia politics.
Perry currently faces two civil lawsuits involving allegations of sexual misconduct.
Actor Derek Dixon filed a lawsuit in June 2025 seeking $260 million, accusing Perry of sexual harassment and assault. Another actor, Mario Rodriguez, filed a separate lawsuit in December 2025 seeking at least $77 million and alleging unwanted sexual contact.
Perry has denied the allegations in both cases through his legal representatives. Neither lawsuit has resulted in a court finding that he is liable for the alleged conduct.
The pending cases have become part of the public discussion surrounding his selection. Bottoms’ comments during the radio interview focused on Perry’s business record and contributions to Georgia rather than addressing the individual allegations.
Her relationship with Perry also goes back several years.
During Bottoms’ time as Atlanta mayor from 2018 to 2022, Perry expanded his entertainment operations in the city. Tyler Perry Studios officially opened its major production complex on the former Fort McPherson military property in southwest Atlanta in 2019.
The studio has served as a production location for numerous television and film projects, establishing a significant entertainment business presence in Georgia.
Bottoms has also worked with Perry in the entertainment industry. She served as an executive producer on his Netflix political comedy Miss Governor, originally introduced as She the People.
The Tyler Perry appointment comes as Bottoms prepares for a historic transition.
On November 3, she defeated Republican Rick Jackson to become Georgia’s first Black governor and the first Black woman elected governor of any U.S. state. She will also become Georgia’s first woman governor when she takes office in January 2027.
Perry has now publicly discussed his decision to participate in the transition process.
Speaking with Atlanta’s WSB-TV during the November 9 premiere of his Netflix holiday film The Gospel of Christmas, he expressed admiration for Bottoms and explained why he accepted the invitation.
“For her to ask me to be a part of it, I was honored. And I absolutely want to do all I can to make sure that she is put in the best position to succeed because she is a brilliant woman, very smart with a heart and compassion,” Perry said.
He also revealed that he contacted outgoing Republican Gov. Brian Kemp following Bottoms’ election victory.
According to Perry, the conversation focused on maintaining Georgia’s business relationships while ensuring the incoming administration has the resources needed to succeed.
“I had a conversation with him because I’ve had a great relationship with them. I said, how do we continue the level of business and amazingness that you’ve done and to be able to give her all the tools she needs to make sure that all of Georgia thrives, everybody in Georgia, no matter what the race,” Perry said.
The conversation with Kemp reflects Perry’s interest in maintaining relationships with state leadership across party lines. Kemp has separately offered cooperation to Bottoms during the transfer of power.
Perry’s commitment to Georgia comes as he prepares to spend time working from Puerto Rico. During the same WSB-TV interview, he confirmed that Tyler Perry Studios would remain in Atlanta and that Georgia would continue to be home despite his plans to live on the island temporarily.
Meanwhile, Bottoms is preparing to take office on January 11, 2027, with an agenda that includes addressing affordability, healthcare access, and public education.
Additional transition participants and policy advisers are expected to be announced as her administration takes shape. Specific responsibilities for individual co-chairs, including Perry, have not yet been publicly detailed.
