Oprah Winfrey brought both Stedman Graham and Gayle King to the opening gala for Tyler Perry's new movie and TV studio in Atlanta on Saturday night. While Oprah is dealing with a defamation lawsuit from the former headmistress of her South African Girls school, it was the history-making event that had Oprah so emotional. Tyler is the first African-American to own his own studio and there were a few tears in the crowd as he took the stage to announce that he's named three sound-stages after the legendary actors Ruby Dee, Cecily Tyson and Sidney Poitier. Sidney was there to accept the honor, saying, "I spent 56 years making movies and this is the reward that I have that means the most to me." With a supportive crowd including Will Smith, John Legend and many others, it was truly an event worth celebrating.
To see 30 photos of the event, including Star Jones, Kirk Franklin and Patti LaBelle just read more
Images include: Eva Pigford, Lance Gross, John Legend, Kirk Franklin, Tammy Franklin, Erica Reid, Patti Labelle, LA Reid, Sidney Poitier, Tyler Perry, Gelila Bekele, Star Jones, Will Smith, Stedman Graham, Oprah Winfrey, Gayle King
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INCREDIBLE!!!! What an historic moment. Go Tyler Go!!!!
So
wonderful all those celebs came to celebrate such an amazing moment.
1i agree loveangelina.a very historic moment...congrats to terry!
2i think that it's nice to see that there's still respect and all that to people who've made an impact in the industry, and i think that naming sound stages or theaters or anything like that in honor of someone's contribution and accomplishment, well that's along the lines of things that we should do.
3Congrats to Tyler Perry but Oprah looks crazy.
4This is awesome. I'm so happy for Tyler!!
5I just want to say..... it's a blessing to have the opportunity to see Tyler Perry giving back to those that have made away! He's doing a marvelous job when it comes to movies and now a studio to give Thanks and Honor to some wonderful people! What more can you ask for when it comes to Tyler Perry! Thank You Mr. Perry for making dreams come true for some under privilege people out here that wants to make a difference in the world but just don't know how. You made a way just by being YOU!! Thanks!!
6Congrats to Tyler, this really is an amazing achievement!
P.S I love all the bow ties...so cute!
7Absolutely feeling the love
8What an amazing achievement! Wow
I love Sir Sidney 
:)
9Yeah, isn't it great that now that he's made it, he fired 4 writers from his House of Payne show because he couldn't be bothered to pay residuals or health benefits!
Is that Christian - not sharing with the people who helped him get where he is today? Is that what giving back is about?
There was a WGA picket line, and all those big names who attended, ignored it.
He's no better than other greedy people who made it big.
10Amazing! Will looks good in his tux
11That's awesome news. I hope it will inspire new talent and help others get into the business who haven't had the right connections to get in.
12Will looks gorgeous as usual
13Oh god, you're not supposed to encourage this hack to make more films. Will, Oprah, John, Patti etc... I thought they had more credibility than that.
14Oprah's so cute =)
15I am always up for a good laugh and LolaSvelt your comment is soooo funny.
Not saying I agree, but the word "hack" gave me a chuckle. Hopefully, he will smoothe out and become more refined and great with practice. Now that he has his own studio it certainly seems he has the opportunity for that.
16Oprah annoys the hell out of me.
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