Tyler Perry Addresses Mariah Carey's Exit From 'Colored Girls'

In a letter to his fans, Tyler Perry admits that he was caught off guard by Mariah Carey's sudden withdrawal from his latest film, 'For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow is Enuf.' But he also had some good news: Thandie Newton, Michael Ealy and Tessa Thompson are set to join the cast.

"I'm there on vacation, celebrating life, thanking God and just relaxing when I get a message that I have to come home, that Mariah has dropped out of the film! I said 'What? You're kidding?' It's five she has to go to work, nobody does that. We have a deal. IT'S FIVE DAYS BEFORE SHE IS SUPPOSED TO GO TO WORK! So, I got on the plane and came home and started trying to re-cast this major role in the film."

"I land and get to the studio, and I'm like, what happened? I was told that we got a call, saying that even though our deal was done, she had been advised by her doctor not to do the film. I said 'What? You know I want a doctor's note, don't you?'" states Perry.

While widespread speculation is that Carey is pregnant, neither the singer nor her husband, Nick Cannon, have confirmed such report.

"But to tell you the truth, I don't know what that means and, unlike the tabloids, I won't speculate. All I know is that I'm waiting just like the rest of the world to find out what happened."

Perry goes to say that he hopes the best for Mariah, "In spite of this, what you need to know is that I am a huge Mariah Carey fan and always will be. What I do know of the woman is that she is a professional and wouldn't back out of a deal unless it was a major issue. So, whatever is going on, I wish her and Nick the best, and she has all my love, prayers and support. I just wish I could have finished my mai tai before I had to get back and re-cast this role!"

In the meantime, filming is underway in New York City with Tyler releasing more names to the cast.

"Anyway, I wanted to announce the official cast, baring anymore doctor surprises: here they are: Janet Jackson, Whoopi Goldberg, Loretta Devine, Anika Noni Rose, Thandie Newton, Kimberly Elise, Kerry Washington, Phylicia Rashad, Macy Gray, Tessa Thompson, Michael Ealy, Hill Harper, Khalil Kain, Omari Hardwick and Richard Lawson."

Unless they have minor roles in the film, left out were Isaiah Mustafa, who was given a spot by Perry on the 'Oprah Winfrey Show' and Jurnee Smollett, who was mentioned by Perry at the premiere of his last film, 'Why Did I Get Married Too?.'

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Six Degrees of Tyler Perry

Six Degrees of Tyler Perry
In just three years, Tyler Perry has become the toast of Hollywood. Could you name another director black or white who can boast of having released six feature movie projects within a three year period? Nope. Not only did the New Orleans native write all of the storylines for the films, he starred in four. Combined, five of the films have grossed upwards of $250 million worldwide, some within budgets below $6 million. And with the major money train also comes associating with some of the biggest names in and out of the entertainment business. BlackVoices.com takes an introspective look at how a former homeless man turned chit'lin circuit theater czar has connections to the likes of Michael Jackson, Denzel Washington, Whitney Houston and Will Smith, to name a few. Check out Six Degrees of Tyler Perry.

Six Degrees of Tyler Perry

Tyler Perry
The best-selling playwright turned Hollywood hot-shot (real name: Emmitt R. Perry, Jr.) was born Sept. 14, 1969 in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Six Degrees of Tyler Perry

Lenny Kravitz
Modern day rock & roll demigod Lenny Kravitz is one of the top-notch talents chosen to produce Labelle's long-awaited reunion album, 'Back to Now,' due out later this year via Verve Records.

Six Degrees of Tyler Perry

Lisa Bonet
'The Cosby Show' and 'A Different World' star Lisa Bonet eloped with Lenny Kravitz in November 1987. Their daughter Zoe Isaballe Kravitz was born the next year. The couple separated in 1991.

Six Degrees of Tyler Perry

Janet Jackson
Gary Dourdan also played the love interest of Janet Jackson in the music video for her chart-topping ballad, 'Again,' in 1993.

Six Degrees of Tyler Perry

Tyler Perry
Janet Jackson starred in the lead role of Tyler Perry's box office smash, 'Why Did I Get Married?' The twice divorced pop star won an NAACP Image Award for her performance.

Six Degrees of Tyler Perry

Ruben Cannon
One of the most respected executives in Hollywood, Ruben Cannon has served as a casting director of film and TV projects dating all the way back to 1977. He co-executive produced Tyler Perry's 'Why Did I Get Married?'

Six Degrees of Tyler Perry

The Color Purple
Ruben Cannon helped cast the star-studded film based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning, best-selling novel by Alice Walker.

Six Degrees of Tyler Perry

Whoopi Goldberg
The New York City native born as Caryn Johnson starred as Celie Johnson (a.k.a. "Miss Celie") in the 1985 epic film, 'The Color Purple.'

Six Degrees of Tyler Perry

Steven Spielberg
One of the most powerful men in mainstream Hollywood, Cincinnati, Ohio native Steven Spielberg directed the 1985 movie, 'The Color Purple.'

Six Degrees of Tyler Perry