This weekend, iconic actor and filmmaker Tyler Perry made history. He became the first black person to own a major film studio with the grand opening of Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta, Georgia.
The 330-acre landmark studio features 12 sound-stages named after influential black acts, including Denzel Washington, the late Dihann Carroll, and Oprah Winfrey, among others.
Guests entered the studio by walking on a purple carpet, which was just one of the beautifully resonant touches.
The gala began with a cocktail which lasted for about an hour in the John Singleton soundstage, followed by opening remarks from Perry and a powerhouse performance by Jennifer Hudson which left guests in tears.
Perry surprised some of his guests and some of his collaborators including Tika Sumpter and Keshia Knight Pulliam by unveiling stars dedicated to them on his own Walk of Fame, similar to the one he received earlier in the week on Hollywood Blvd in Los Angeles.
As the three-course seated dinner was served inside the Oprah Winfrey soundstage, the buzz from guests shifted from gushing over meeting Smith or the Clintons outside to whispers that Beyoncé had arrived. Knowles-Carter’s Destiny’s Child sisters Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams (as well as her mother Tina Knowles Lawson) also attended. After dinner, Mary J. Blige took the stage for a 30 minute set with stars like Haddish, Chris Tucker and Taraji P. Henson dancing along to the private concert.
Strong man
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