Tyler Perry says he’s heard loud and clear his fans’ disapproval of his decision to give Kim Kardashian a cameo role in his upcoming movie, but despite the growing Kardashian boycott petition, the filmmaker says he sees nothing wrong with his casting of the reality TV star.
In a statement released yesterday, Perry said he cast Kardashian because of her high fan base, which includes young teens–a target audience for his film, The Marriage Counselor.
“I knew that this message was not only for my age group, but for all audiences, especially the youth. ESPECIALLY THE YOUTH!! YOUNG FOLKS NEED TO SEE THIS!!! And not just the young people that follow me, but the young people that are following other young people, as well. I wanted a younger cast, that’s why I put Jurnee [Smolett] in the lead and invited Lance Gross, Robbie Jones and Brandy.”
Joking that his fans have had their say, Perry said that it was now time for him to be heard.
“I could not have imagined I’d be getting all these emails about Kim Kardashian. I HAVE SEEN THEM!! YOU HAVE BEEN HEARD!! …LOL. Now, may I say something? Can a brother get a word in?….LOL. Y’all gave me a new movie title, Tyler Perry’s “Diary of a Mad Black Woman Cause You Hired Kim Kardashian, Don’t Make Me Take Off My Earrings and Boycott Yo A**.”…LOL. Some of my ladies are upset. Ok, all jokes aside, can I have my say? Will you at least here me out?”
In his statement, Perry asked his fans to reserve judgment at least until they have had an opportunity to see the positive messages the film had to offer.
“To have the young people that look up to her, see her in a film that is about what happens in life when you make the wrong choices,” Perry said. “Whether you’re aware of it or not, to be honest with you I wasn’t, millions of young people adore her and are following her every move. If one of those young people see this film and find the strength to live a better life and not go through what these characters went through in this movie, then we have all done what I feel I’m being led to do here. I hope you understand. I really do!”
The furor over Kim’s casting comes at the same time as a woman named Cyndy Snider has gathered more than 100,000 signatures on a Kardashian boycott petition to the E! TV network to take the line-up of Keeping up with the Kardashians and all things Kardashian off the air, alleging they are harmful to children.
Perry’s The Marriage Counselor is slated to hit theaters early 2012. Kardashian has already finished filming her part in the feature, earlier this week. Since her role is already a wrap, her removal from the cast is not likely to happen.
It’s already so for those of you wishing her removal…I recommend you not hold your breath.
