The BET awards were Sunday night, and if you stuck around to watch Mary J Blige do her viral and original un-choreographed dances, you may have caught Tyler Perry accepting his “Ultimate Icon Award.” 

Tyler has never been shy about his faith in God. Why should he? God raised him up from some seriously humble beginnings to the height of Hollywood superstardom.

Taraji P Henson, who is also a practicing Christian, presented Tyler with his award in front of a crowd of their peers.

Taraji and Tyler have struck what seems to be a golden working relationship, with Tyler casting Taraji in The Family That Preys (2008) and I Can Do Bad All by Myself (2009).

She then appeared in the 2012 comedy Think Like a Man and the 2014 thriller No Good Deed, which debuted at No. 1 at the box office. So presenting Tyler with his Ultimate Icon Award seemed more than appropriate.

Over the years Tyler has become an excellent orator and evangelist. His speech at the BET awards was no different.

He made several references to faith and perseverance, at one point referring to the 23rd Psalm.

“While everybody else is fighting for a seat at the table, talking about ‘Oscars are so white, Oscars so white. I said, y’all go ahead and do that,” Perry said during his acceptance speech. “While you’re fighting for a seat at the table, I’ll be down in Atlanta building my own, because what I know for sure is that if I could just build this table, God will prepare it for me in the presence of my enemies.”

Tyler also spoke about being an example for his community, helping to open doors for black actors and actresses, and what he has planned for the future. 

To watch the full speech from the BET Awards click here. 

 

(Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)