Oprah Winfrey and pal Tyler Perry are denying their friendship is over
Oprah Winfrey’s close friendship with Tyler Perry is reportedly in jeopardy since the two decided to mix business with pleasure.
In 2012, the pair signed a multi-year deal for the Madea actor to feature several of his original sitcoms and dramas on the former talk show host’s network, OWN. Now, according to reports, the two are at odds over the direction of the deal.
A source close to the business partners told Daily Mail that the once inseparable pair are now rarely speaking unless it pertain to business, which allegedly put a strain on their relationship.
“When Tyler first brought his shows to OWN in 2012, it was a love affair between the two of them,” said the insider. “But that relationship has soured in the last six months because Oprah finds Tyler difficult to work with and he doesn’t take constructive criticism well at all.”
The informant said it all started when the 62-year-old Harpo CEO advised her friend to bring on new script writers to help with his top-rated show, The Have and Have Nots, which could be “improved significantly.”
The father of one, however, reportedly rebuffed his pal’s suggestion and told her to keep her research on the matter to herself. Oprah, upset by the snub, allegedly reminded Tyler of the deal she made possible for his shows (which were previously on TBS), and the pair have ceased communicating since.
Making things worse, Tyler was featured in a New York magazine article called “The Brand Keeping Oprah in Business,” and Oprah was reportedly upset her former friend asked to change the title.
“She believed it was done in spite and has told Gayle and her other close friends she’s putting space between she and Tyler,” said the insider.
During a press dinner for The Haves and Have Nots, the 46-year-old reportedly said he intended to clear up the misunderstanding with the magazine, but it’s not clear whether it’ll repair the damage between him and his son’s godmother.
Let’s hope these two can salvage their friendship!