Oprah EXPOSES The Truth Behind Tyler Perry & TD Jakes Sacrificing Young Boys

The new documentary about Tyler Perry’s incredible life and career made its world premiere during 2023 AFI Fest in Los Angeles.

Directed by Gelila Bekele and Armani Ortiz for Amazon Studios, Maxine’s Baby: The Tyler Perry Story takes an intimate look at his ‘harrowing but faithful road to the top of an industry that didn’t always include him,’ according to IMDb.

It took him from a childhood described as a ‘living hell’ all the way to a billionaire media mogul.

Not only did the documentary make its premiere at the festival it was also selected as the Centerpiece Screening for this year’s event, which was held at the world famous TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood on Friday.

Along with Perry, the film also features Oprah Winfrey, Whoopi Goldberg, Kenya Barris, Killer Mike, Gayle King, Ari Emanuel, Mellody Hobson, Lucky Johnson, T.D. Jakes, Mark E. Swinton, Michael Paseornek, Ozzie Areu, Elvin Ross, Keleigh Thomas Morgan, Debra Lee and Tim Palen, among others.

AFI Fest: Tyler Perry, 54, spent a lot of time chatting with longtime friend Oprah Winfrey, 69, at the world premiere of the new documentary Maxine’s Baby: The Tyler Perry Story

Ahead of the screening the acclaimed filmmaker made the rounds on the red carpet with many of his friends and colleagues.

Perry, who at 16 had his first name legally changed from Emmitt to Tyler in an effort to distance himself from his father, showed off his fashion sense in dark slacks with a tinge of purple that was matched with a lavender shirt and a black leather jacket.

He made sure to share the spotlight of the red carpet with Winfrey, who he has credited with inspiring him to pursue a career as a writer after watching an episode of The Oprah Winfrey Show when he was in his early 20s.

During that particular show, Perry heard someone describe the sometimes therapeutic effect the act of writing can have, so he did exactly that.

He soon started writing a series of letters to himself, which became the basis for his first successful play, I Know I’ve Been Changed (1993), which focused on issues such as child abuse and rape.

Winfrey, 69, could be found snuggling up next to Perry during a round of photos decked out in an all-white suit consisting of slacks, a blazer, and a blouse.

Rounding out her chic ensemble, the so-called Queen Of All Media also wore a pair of gray pointed shoes, and had her dark locks styled with an extra dose of volume and soft waves, along with a subtle part just off to the left.

On more than one occasion, the longtime friends showed off their chemistry by breaking out into laughter, all while the photographers snapped away.

 Chemistry: Winfrey and Perry  showed off their undeniable chemistry while on the red carpet that included an all-out laugh fest

Working it: Perry and Winfrey were joined on the red carpet by British actor and director David Oyelowo, 47, who looked stylish in a gray-patterned suit with a black dress shirt

Family matters: Perry also spent time with family at the premiere that included his aunt Jerry Banks, who amazing in a dark blue gown

Show of support: Fame star Debbie Allen, 73, was also on hand to lend her support

Sharing the spotlight: The billionaire media mogul also struck a pose with the documentary’s two directors Armani Ortiz, Gelila Bekele

British actor and director David Oyelowo ended up joining the Winfrey-Perry duo on the red carpet for a round of photos.

The Selma star, 47, looked handsome in a gray-patterned suit that he wore with a black dress shirt and black shoes.

Perry also spent time with family at the premiere that included his aunt Jerry Banks, who amazing in a dark blue gown, as well as with Fame actress Debbie Allen, 73.

The Madea’s Family Reunion star also struck a few poses with the documentary’s two directors, Armani Ortiz and Gelila Bekele.

‘Working on this film for the past decade has been a life-changing journey for the both of us,’ Bekele and Ortiz said, according to Perry’s website. ‘Getting intimately acquainted with the man behind the icon while witnessing the transformative impact of Mr. Perry’s work within various communities has been truly awe-inspiring. We hope this film is more than a road-to-success story, but rather, a meditation on healing, unconditional love, and an inspiration to audiences.’

Some of the other high-profile people on hand for the world premiere event included the likes of film producer Mark E. Swinton, actor Elijah Collins, Deance Wyatt, All the Queen’s Men star Skyh Black, Sistas actress KJ Smith, If Loving You Is Wrong star Edwina Findley, and Beyonce’s mother Tina Lawson.

Perry wrote and produced many stage plays during the 1990s and early 2000s.

Stylin’: Beyoncé’s mother Tina Lawson, 69, wore a black suit with a plunging neckline

Show of support: Mark E. Swinton, Elijah Collins, and Deance Wyatt also gathered for a photo

Leggy: If Loving You Is Wrong star Edwina Findley, 42, was hard to miss in a shiny blazer ensemble and open-toe heels

Color-coordinated: Skyh Black, 35, and KJ Smith, 36, were a perfect match in all-black

His breakthrough came when he wrote, produced and starred in romantic comedy drama film Diary Of A Mad Black Woman (2005), which was an adaptation of his stage play of the same name.

The films that he served as writer, director and star include Madea’s Family Reunion (2006), Why Did I Get Married? (2007), Meet The Browns (2008), Madea Goes To Jail (2009), I Can Do Bad All By Myself (2009), Madea’s Big Happy Family (2011), Good Deeds (2012), A Madea Christmas (2013), The Single Moms Club (2014) and Boo! A Madea Halloween (2016).

AFI Fest, which goes from October 25-29, is the American Film Institute’s annual celebration of artistic excellence. It is a showcase for the best festival films of the year and an opportunity for master filmmakers and emerging artists to come together with audiences in the movie capital of the world.

It is the only festival of its stature that is free to the public.