Tyler Perry has another hit movie on his hands, and it’s here just in time for the holidays.
The director’s Christmas film “The Gospel of Christmas” tells the story of a musician and his wife who are tasked by his pastor father with moving to a troubled NYC neighborhood to help save a local church from foreclosure before Christmas.
Since its Nov. 11 release on Netflix, it’s already reached No. 2 on the streaming platform.
R&B singer Tank and Grammy Award-winning singer Fantasia Barrino play the husband and wife in the movie alongside gospel legends like Shirley Caesar, Hezekiah Walker, Fred Hammond, Yolanda Adams, and more.
On Nov. 13, Barrino promoted the movie on “The Jennifer Hudson Show,” where she spoke about how Tyler Perry has blessed her.
When Hudson asked Barrino to explain their “amazing bond,” the “Free Yourself” singer said, “When everybody walked off, he never did. When I lost everything, he gave. That’s all I’m going to say.”
Hudson responded, “He sounds like one of your angels,” and Barrino silently replied with an affirming nod.
As proof of Perry’s generosity, Barrino told Hudson, “As a matter of fact, he gave me these earrings.”
She explained that Perry spotted her with earrings that looked like diamonds and complimented her on them.
“So, I pulled him to the side, and I was like, ‘Honey, these are not real. I just wear them well.’”
Barrino continued, “He kept texting me like, ‘You sure your earrings?’ Finally, I said, ‘Are you coming for me?’”
The 42-year-old said when they got back on set, Perry texted her to ask where she was. She revealed that she was in the dressing room.
“And he came in the dressing room, and he’s holding something in his coat. He pulls out these earrings right here, and he blessed me with them,” she said.
When Hudson said they were beautiful, Barrino said, “Thanks, and I won’t ever take them off.”
Perry caught wind of Barrino’s nice comment and responded.
He reposted the clip on Instagram and in the caption wrote, “Just wanted you to know that I see you! I love and adore you! And you deserve it all! Keep going Tasi.”
Fantasia responded, “I Love You Forever.”
One person in the comments who is a fan of Perry’s said, “They Could never make me hate TP!”
Another fan who loves Perry’s giving spirit said, “His generosity is one of the most attractive things on him! Such a unique individual.”
A third person complimenting him typed, “He’s definitely one of one heart of gold.”
This isn’t her first time praising Perry.
Back in 2019, she went on “The Tammie Mac Show,” and commended Perry for being supportive when she was in a low place in her life.
“Tyler Perry is actually a good friend of mine. He would call and check up on me. He was one of the ones that when I lost everything he came and blessed me. And I thank him for that,” she said.
Even though she was the winner of “American Idol” in 2004, Barrino still faced financial hardship not long afterward because of her youth and inexperience in the industry.
She trusted her finances with the wrong people and at the same time was responsible for taking care of several family members.
Barrino even had to put her North Carolina mansion up for sale in 2012.
It’s not clear how long Perry and Barrino have known each other. It’s also unclear if it was Perry’s first time reaching out to Barrino when he offered to help her.
One thing that is certain is Perry loves “The Color Purple” actress’s voice.
In 2017, a fan recorded Perry calling Barrino “one of the greatest singers of all time” at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre and City Winery in suburban Atlanta.
Fast-forward to 2020, and Perry spotted her in the audience at his Madea Farewell Tour in Charlotte, North Carolina, and asked her to sing for the audience.
She also performed last year for his annual holiday wrap party at his Tyler Perry Studios in southwest Atlanta.
The “Good Deeds” star has racked up a reputation for helping people, including other celebrities.
In 2019, Taraji P. Henson said Perry was the first person to ever pay her $500,000. She often gives him all the credit for paying her her worth, as she openly details what she describes as her struggle of being underpaid.
When Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stepped back from their royal duties and moved to the United States, it was Perry who gave them his Beverly Ridge Estates and private security in 2020.
“Sistas” star Crystal Hayslett was Perry’s production assistant and then stylist at the TPS first. However, after working up the courage to tell him her acting dreams, she earned the role of Fatima in “Sistas.”
He also helped another “Sistas” actress, KJ Smith Black, and her husband, Skyh Black, after they noticed something off during the natural birth of their daughter.
After reaching out to Perry, he called Northside Hospital Atlanta, where she was given a private room and had a C-section, and they welcomed their child safely.
