Tyler Perry wants to shine a light on his mother and has made that happen through his new documentary, “Maxine’s Baby: The Tyler Perry Story.”
Perry appeared on a recent taping of “The View” and was emotionally moved when host Sara Haines told him she “met” his mother through the documentary.
“It was so well done,” Haines said, “I met Maxine through all of it. I didn’t know her.”
Maxine, Perry’s mother, passed away in 2009. Perry was moved to tears by Haines’ words, pausing during the interview for a moment.
“OK, wait a minute, that one took me, that you met, ” Perry said, immediately choking up and trying to catch his breath. “You met my mother through it, man. That’s, wow. Wow. Thank you.”
“To say that you met her through that, that takes me somewhere, because she, you know, this woman endured so much pain. And she didn’t have some legacy,” he continued, visibly holding in his tears. “But she had me and to say that I was able to introduce her to you, you got me there, man. S–t. I’m sorry. Lord, have mercy. Thank you for that. I appreciate that.”
He was comforted by hosts Sunny Hostin and Joy Behar, who sat on both sides of him. Perry tried to continue talking but needed more time to compose himself as Haines also teared up.
The 54-year-old multi-talented Oscar winner appeared on ABC’s daytime talk show to promote the Prime Video doc, which details his traumatic childhood, surviving his abusive father, and the challenges he faced on the road to success in the entertainment industry. And, of course, his mother Maxine’s unwavering love.
Perry’s beloved Madea is inspired by his mother, who Perry said lived a painful life.
“This film, I will watch every time I need my own power,” Haines said. “I wanted to run laps. It was so well done.”
Eventually, Perry and the host were able to move on from the heartfelt moment to continue the show and ask Perry more questions.
“Maxine’s Baby: The Tyler Perry Story” premieres Nov. 17 on Prime Video.
