Governor-elect Keisha Lance Bottoms made history by becoming the first Black woman to hold the role in US History but her appointment of Tyler Perry to her transition team has raised eyebrows for some.
Days after her historic win, Bottoms appeared on the Capitol steps in Georgia to announce the chairs of her transition team as she hopes “to be ready to govern on day one,” according to Complex. The billionaire media mogul was among those listed which also included Arthur Blank, Roz Brewer, Jason Carter, Michelle Nunn and Richard Cox, and the honorary co-chairs include Jon Ossoff, Raphael Warnock, and Andrew Young.
Perry’s studio project as well as his commitment to shooting and producing his films in Atlanta has made a significant impact on the state of Georgia, one that Bottoms seems to think makes him a key part to helping her properly govern for a new future for her constituents. She called Perry an “entertainment mogul” who is also “a huge philanthropic part of our Georgia community and owns Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta.”
Though some praised his appointment, others expressed concern over whether his involvement would mean interference with the proper litigation of his pending sexual assault cases. Two actors—Derek Dixon and Mario Rodriguez—who were cast in two different Perry productions filed lawsuits seeking $260 million and $77 million in damages, accusing their former boss of coercion, unwanted advances and retaliation. Perry has denied any wrongdoing in both cases.
It’s not the first time Bottoms and Perry have collaborated. The former was one of the biggest supporters in backing the creation of Tyler Perry Studios on the former Fort McPherson Army base while serving as the Mayor of Atlanta. She also joined his production She The People as an executive producer in 2025, much to the chagrin of many who felt their words should not be intertwined. Following the success of its release to Netflix, she shared a post to her Instagram to celebrate saying,
“THANK YOU to everyone who has tuned in and made ‘She The People’ the hit show we knew it would be. I was encouraged by some very well meaning people not to join as an Executive Producer of this project. But I have learned that intuition is a super power and sometimes what makes sense to you, just isn’t meant for others to understand.”
It seems the two have a close working relationship that has no signs of slowing down or changing despite her new position and the weight it carries. Perry will sit for an in-person deposition in the case against Rodriguez on Dec. 9.
