Tyler Perry divides Internet as he reveals budget-friendly Christmas gifts for son: 'He don’t have a job'

ATLANTA, GEORGIA: Tyler Perry, known for his billion-dollar entertainment empire, revealed his unconventional approach to parenting during a candid appearance on 'Sherri', Sherri Shepherd's daytime talk show.

When asked about his nine-year-old son Aman's Christmas wish list, Perry shared his no-frills philosophy: "He gets two things, books and Legos. He don’t have a job, what else is he going to get?"

Tyler Perry explains his frugal Christmas philosophy for his son

Tyler Perry recounted a moment from five years ago when Aman complained about flying commercial due to long lines. "He had been going coach for years," Perry explained, prompting Shepherd to express surprise that Aman wasn’t flying first class.

Perry doubled down, "Absolutely, so that he can understand I worked, he did not."

"So when he works, he can learn that lesson. He's not gonna be one of those ridiculous spoiled, rich kids. I can't stand that. No. He ain't got no money."

Shepherd, 57, shared a similar perspective, mentioning that her son travels in coach while she enjoys the comforts of first class.

Perry added, "Until Jeffrey (Shepherd's son) gets enough money to fly his own 2A, 36D (it is)."

Tyler Perry’s Christmas tradition for son divides fans online

While Tyler Perry’s tough-love approach resonated with Shepherd, who shared a similar stance regarding her son Jeffrey, reactions on Instagram were divided. Some applauded Perry’s determination to raise a grounded and self-reliant child. Others criticized his methods, accusing him of instilling a “struggle mindset” rather than leveraging his wealth to provide greater opportunities.

One user wrote, “I got a lot less money then him lol but still try to let me kids enjoy much nicer things then I was able to, I'll never get this lol," while another added, "I understand not being spoiled. But, even poor people have Christmas lists."

Another added, "Don’t wanna spoiled rich kid, but I do want my kid life to be easier if I’m rich. Ijs."

"So just because you had to struggle, your children need to struggle too? What about changing the script?" a user commented.

"Is it possible to spoil them and they still come out to be a decent human," another comment reads.

One Instagram user wrote, "He’s raising his son not to be entitled. If you want something, earn it."

Another added, "His child is far from struggling—he’s not hungry, has health insurance, a roof over his head, and clothes on his back. Just because Perry is wealthy doesn’t mean he has to give his son everything. Come on now. His job is to hustle and make life easier for his family, not to hand over everything on a silver platter."

A commenter who had met Perry’s son shared, "I’ve met his child and can confirm that he’s not spoiled—he’s the sweetest little boy."

Another remarked, "My father wasn’t rich, but he raised me with the same mindset. Now, as a successful adult, I completely understand what you mean. That’s right, Tyler!"

Tyler Perry reflects on raising son away from fame

Tyler Perry, 55, and his former partner, Gelila Bekele, welcomed Aman in November 2014. Despite his vast fortune and success, Perry remains committed to ensuring his son has a normal upbringing, free from the pressures of fame.

"I want him to know what it’s like to have his own name and his own life," Perry said during a 2022 Q&A at the Tribeca Film Festival.

"I think, when you have a team like Gelila and I are, she is very grounded and balanced at making sure he stays that way. Because I want to give him everything, because I didn't have it," he told Gayle King during a Tribeca Film Festival Q&A in 2022.

Few photos of Aman exist online, and the couple avoids sharing images of him on social media. 

Tyler Perry has built an entertainment empire, with his films and shows collectively grossing over $660 million. His staggering net worth, estimated at $1 billion, cements his status as one of the wealthiest figures in the industry.

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.