Tyler Perry is known for his success as a producer and actor, but when it comes to raising his son, he has a very intentional approach. In a recent appearance on Sherri, Perry opened up about his decision to avoid splurging on expensive gifts for his 10-year-old son, Aman. The billionaire producer, 55, shared that he does not want his child to become “spoiled” and entitled, even during Christmas.
When host Sherri Shepherd inquired about Aman’s “Christmas list,” Perry surprised her by saying, “He don’t get no Christmas list.” He further explained that his son receives only two gifts—books and Legos—stating, “He doesn’t have a job! What else is he going to get?” Perry’s straightforward answer made it clear that he wants to keep Aman’s expectations in check, no matter how successful Perry himself is.
Perry also recalled a time when he and his ex-girlfriend, Gelila Bekele, made a decision that would teach their son a valuable lesson. When Aman was just five years old, he began complaining about the long lines at airports, becoming accustomed to the luxury of private jet travel. In response, Perry and Bekele opted to fly commercial, explaining that their son needed to understand the reality of working for things. “They’ve been going coach for years,” Perry shared. He added, “So that he understands I worked, he did not! So when he works, he can learn that lesson.”
The conversation continued as Shepherd asked Perry how he keeps things “normal” for Aman, despite his fame and wealth. Perry revealed that he doesn’t want his son to be seen as simply “Tyler Perry’s son,” especially in public spaces. He explained that he keeps a low profile at events, staying in the background so Aman can play freely without distractions. For Perry, providing his son with a normal life is essential, particularly since his own childhood was far from privileged. He made it clear that he didn’t want his son to grow up “spoiled, rich, and entitled.”
Perry’s perspective on raising a child with privilege has been a recurring theme in interviews. During a 2022 Tribeca Film Festival discussion with Gayle King, he shared that he wants Aman to be grounded, despite the wealth and fame surrounding him. Perry explained that he doesn’t want to spoil his son with excess. For special occasions like birthdays and Christmas, Aman receives only a few gifts. Perry’s philosophy is simple: “He doesn’t have a job. He ain’t got no money.”
Perry also gave credit to Bekele for helping to raise Aman with a sense of balance. “Gelila and I are a team,” he said. “She is very grounded and balanced,” Perry admitted that, as a parent, he sometimes wrestles with the desire to give his son everything he didn’t have growing up. However, he also understands the dangers of doing so, especially after witnessing the behavior of other wealthy children. “I want to punch them in the face,” Perry joked, referring to spoiled kids.
Despite his wealth, Perry is determined to teach Aman valuable life lessons. He wants his son to understand that having anything is a blessing and to appreciate the struggle others face. Through this approach, Perry aims to raise Aman to be a sweet, empathetic person who values hard work and humility, ensuring that his son remains grounded, no matter how much success Perry achieves.
