Is Tyler Perry Dating? Inside The Billionaire Mogul's Ultra-Private Love Life And Current Relationship Status

The question of "Who is Tyler Perry dating?" has been a persistent curiosity for fans and the media for years, largely due to the filmmaker's notoriously private personal life. As of December 2025, the definitive answer remains the same as his own public announcement: the entertainment mogul is currently single, focusing on his career and co-parenting his son. His relationship status has been a topic of intense speculation ever since he announced the end of his long-term partnership with Gelila Bekele.

The billionaire creator of the Madea empire is one of Hollywood’s most successful figures, yet he has masterfully kept his romantic world under wraps. This deep dive will explore his current relationship status, detail his most significant past partnership, and address the high-profile dating rumors that have recently circulated, offering the most updated and comprehensive look at Tyler Perry’s love life.

Tyler Perry's Full Biography and Profile

Emmitt Perry Jr., known professionally as Tyler Perry, has built an empire from humble beginnings, making his personal life a source of fascination for millions. His journey from an abusive childhood in New Orleans, Louisiana, to becoming one of the few Black billionaires in the world is a testament to his drive.

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• Full Name: Emmitt Perry Jr.
• Known As: Tyler Perry
• Date of Birth: September 13, 1969
• Place of Birth: New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
• Occupation: Actor, Filmmaker, Playwright, Producer, Author, Studio Head (Tyler Perry Studios)
• Estimated Net Worth: Approximately $1.36 Billion (Billionaire status achieved in 2020)
• Children: One son, Aman Tyler Perry (born 2014), whom he shares with Gelila Bekele.

The Definitive Answer: Is Tyler Perry Dating Anyone in Late 2025?

The most current and reliable information indicates that Tyler Perry is not dating anyone publicly and is, by his own admission, a single man. This status has been consistent since he first shared the news on social media in December 2020.

A Public Proclamation of Single Status

The director took to his Instagram account to share a candid reflection on his life, which served as a public announcement of his relationship status. He posted a gym selfie and wrote, "I’m 51, single and wondering what the next chapter in my life will look like." This post confirmed that his 13-year relationship with model and humanitarian Gelila Bekele had ended.

Since that time, Perry has maintained his commitment to privacy, rarely discussing his romantic prospects. His focus appears to be on his vast creative projects, including his work with Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta, and his role as a father to his son, Aman Tyler Perry.

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Debunking the Crystal Hayslett Rumors

In 2023, rumors began to circulate that Tyler Perry was dating actress Crystal Hayslett, a star of his popular show *Sistas*. These speculations gained traction among fans who hoped to see the two connect off-screen. However, these rumors were quickly shut down by Hayslett's co-star, Devale Ellis, who confirmed that the two were not romantically involved. Perry has made it clear that he values his privacy, meaning any new relationship would likely be kept secret for a significant period.

Inside the Decades-Long Partnership with Gelila Bekele

Tyler Perry’s most significant and longest-lasting relationship was with Gelila Bekele, an Ethiopian-American model, social activist, and documentary filmmaker. Their relationship is a key piece of his personal history and a central entity in the discussion of his love life.

The Start of a Private Romance

Perry and Bekele first met in 2007 at a Prince concert. Despite their public profiles, they managed to keep the details of their romance extremely private for years. The relationship became official around 2011, and they were together for over a decade.

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Co-Parenting Aman Tyler Perry

The couple welcomed their son, Aman Tyler Perry, in 2014. Aman’s birth was a major milestone, as Perry is known to be a devoted father. Even after their separation in 2020, the two have maintained an amicable and respectful relationship, committed to co-parenting their son.

Bekele is a successful professional in her own right, known for her work on social issues and her modeling career with major brands. This mutual respect and commitment to their son is a hallmark of their post-split relationship, which Perry has described as continuing to "love each other deeply" as friends.

A Look Back: High-Profile Rumors and Past Connections

While Gelila Bekele is Perry's only confirmed long-term partner, his fame has led to several rumors and associations with other high-profile entities over the years. These connections, while largely unconfirmed, add to the topical authority of his dating history.

The Tasha Smith "Asexual" Rumor

Perhaps the most unique rumor involves actress Tasha Smith, who has worked with Perry on several projects. Smith famously told talk show host Wendy Williams that she used to think Tyler Perry was "asexual," stating, "I didn’t think he had sex at all, okay! No seriously." This anecdote highlights just how private Perry is about his personal life, even his close colleagues were in the dark about his dating status before the birth of his son.

The Tyra Banks Speculation

In the mid-2000s, before his relationship with Bekele, rumors circulated that Perry had briefly hooked up with supermodel and television personality Tyra Banks around 2006. Like most of his rumored connections, this was never publicly confirmed or denied by Perry, further cementing his reputation for keeping his romantic affairs completely out of the spotlight.

The Path Forward: A New Chapter

Tyler Perry has made it clear that he is embracing his single life and looking forward to the "next chapter." Given his intense focus on his career—writing, directing, and producing multiple shows and films simultaneously at his massive studio complex—it is likely that any future partner will be someone who either understands his demanding schedule or is willing to live a life far removed from the Hollywood gossip cycle. For now, the answer to "who is Tyler Perry dating" remains: no one, at least not publicly.