Image: The Hollywood Reporter

Tyler Perry’s latest Netflix feature “The Six Triple Eight” premiered in select theaters last week. Amidst the release, Perry made a series of appearances to promote the film, and received some notable honors. 

The film’s Los Angles premiere at the legendary Egyptian Theatre on December 3rd saw the cast and crew of the film, including stars Kerry Washington, Ebony Obsidian, and Oprah Winfrey and producer Nicole Avant, come together to celebrate and share the important and inspirational true story of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion: the only predominantly Black, all-female army corps battalion during World War II. Also in attendance was rapper Big Sean, who revealed a personal connection to the film — his grandmother was one of the 855 who served in this history-making unit. 

The next day, Perry accepted the Paley Honors Award — the Paley Center’s highest honor — with a profound and passionate speech that reflected on his incredible journey from childhood trauma to the top of his industry, and talked about how he found personal healing along the way.  

Perry was also honored at the Critics Choice Association’s 7th Annual Celebration of Black Cinema and Television with the Icon Award, presented to him by “Mea Culpa” star Kelly Rowland. “I’m in a place in my life where I just want to make some people laugh and inspire and do good things and encourage people,” Perry stated in his acceptance speech, “And that’s what I try to do all of my life.”

Perry also made the time to honor the film’s star Kerry Washington when he attended her Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony. There, he shared some of the things he has noticed throughout his friendship with Washington, including her ability to approach her life on and off-screen with love. “As I think about the life that she’s lived as an activist, as a woman, as a person, as a person of color, the character that she has exhibited for everyone to see, I’m so incredibly proud of her,” he said in his speech.

Perry stopped by Jimmy Kimmel Live! to discuss the film, what it was like to meet Oprah for the very first time, and the various uses he’s found for the existing replica of the White House at his studio — including the Secret Service using it for training.

 “The Six Triple Eight” is now in select theaters nationwide and will be available to stream globally on Netflix on December 20th.