Keisha Lance Bottoms Claps Back at Critics of Her Choice to Add Tyler Perry to Transition Team
Governor-elect Keisha Lance Bottoms is taking the time to silence critics of her choice to add media mogul Tyler Perry to her transition team. Now Perry himself is adding his two cents to the conversation.
Bottoms shared her explanation during a new interview on The Streetz Morning Takeover, hosted by Yung Joc, clarifying that Perry is just one of 10 co-chairs on her team. She went on to say that the group includes people whose work has impacted various sectors of the community. Citing Perry’s business acumen and work to bring jobs to the state, Bottoms made it clear that the team will eventually expand to include at least 100 people.
“Tyler is, one, a great friend. He’s a great human being. He has a multi-billion-dollar business in the heart of Atlanta,” she explained on the show. “He does a lot on behalf of the community. He employs a lot of people; he supports a lot of small businesses over at his studios. So it makes sense that he would be a part of it.”
Related: Keisha Lance Bottoms Adds Tyler Perry to Transition Team
In a separate interview with Atlanta’s WSB-TV during the premiere of his new Netflix film, “The Gospel of Christmas,” Perry spoke about being a part of Bottoms’ team, adding that he was “honored” to be asked. He explained that his close relationship with her started during her time as mayor.
“For her to ask me to be a part of it, I was honored. And I absolutely want to do all I can to make sure that she is put in the best position to succeed because she is a brilliant woman, very smart with a heart and compassion,” Perry began.
He went on to share that he called Governor Kemp after Bottoms won to discuss continuing “the level of business” with the state and how they could both support Bottoms in her new role.
“I had a conversation with him because I’ve had a great relationship with them. I said, how do we continue the level of business and amazingness that you’ve done and to be able to give her all the tools she needs to make sure that all of Georgia thrives, everybody in Georgia, no matter what the race,” Perry said.
As we previously told you, in the November 2026 midterm elections, Bottoms made history by becoming the state’s first Black governor and the first Black woman governor in American history. She’s set to be sworn in January 2027.
