Tyler Perry Says Georgia Remains Home Despite Puerto Rico Move

Tyler Perry isn’t packing up his Georgia studio just because he plans to spend more time in Puerto Rico. He addressed the move at the Atlanta premiere of The Gospel of Christmas on Monday night.

Perry told WSB-TV at the Tabernacle that he expects to work from Puerto Rico for a stretch while keeping his Georgia ties intact.

“The studio will still be here,” Perry said, drawing a distinction between his living arrangements and the business.

“Georgia’s still gonna always be home even though I’ll be living there full-time for a while,” Perry said.

The filmmaker was back in the city celebrating a holiday drama shot primarily in Atlanta.

His role in the state also extends beyond the movies he makes there. Perry recently joined Keisha Lance Bottoms’ Georgia transition team, and the governor-elect attended Monday’s premiere.

Perry said he called Gov. Brian Kemp after Bottoms won the election. He described wanting the outgoing governor to help equip her administration to keep business moving and serve people across Georgia.

The Tabernacle itself carries personal history for Perry, who connected the premiere venue to his early theater career.

He said returning there mattered because it was part of his path after the 14th Street Playhouse.

The new movie puts that faith-centered storytelling alongside a cast filled with singers. Tank and Fantasia Barrino lead a lineup that also includes Fred Hammond, Shirley Caesar, Yolanda Adams and CeCe Winans.

Tank plays Isaac, a pastor trying to rescue a struggling New York church while facing problems within his family and community. Barrino plays Rebecca, with gospel music woven through the fight to keep the church alive.

The Gospel of Christmas begins streaming on Netflix on Wednesday, November 11.