Tyler Perry Recalls Being Sexually and Physically Abused as a Kid

© Anthony G. Moore/PR Photos

On the heels of watching "Precious: Based on the Novel PUSH by Sapphire", a movie about a 16-year-old girl who is physically and emotionally abused that he executive produced with Oprah Winfrey, Tyler Perry has made a shocking revelation about his dark past. In a letter to fans posted on his official website, he recounted how he was sexually and physically abused as a kid.

"I watched all the things that Precious, a 16-year-old girl in the film, went through. I watched her mother be unusually cruel to her and I realized at that moment that a large part of my childhood had just played out before my eyes," he wrote. "It hit me so hard, I sat there in tears realizing that somehow, by the grace of God, I made it through. My tears were tears of joy, being thankful that I made it."

He then went on revealing how his abusive father beat his mother after a failed attempt to leave the family's house, with him and his sisters witnessing. "Even though I was only two or three, I know that this had to have some effect on me," he confessed.

Tyler, furthermore, recalled how he was sexually abused by a friend's mother at age 10 before then being molested by another friend's father. Worse, he also found out that his own father also molested a friend.

Above all, Tyler manages to draw a silver lining, writing in his official website, "I know that there are a lot of people out there with stories far worse than mine but you, too, can make it. To those of you who have, welcome to life. I celebrate you. We're all PRECIOUS in His sight."

"Precious: Based on the Novel PUSH by Sapphire" is slated to be released in U.S. theaters on November 6 later this year.