Tyler Perry Pays Off $434K in Layaway Debts for Walmart Customers

Tyler Perry (Credit: Deposit Photos)

Tyler Perry knows the true meaning of the holiday season.

The Nobody’s Fool director spent $434,000 on layaway payments for 1,500 Walmart customers at two separate store locations in Atlanta.

Fans with layaway items at the Douglasville and East Point area Walmart stores can pick up their gifts for the cost of a penny, the 49-year-old actor-producer confirmed in an Instagram video shared Thursday.

Although Perry said he initially intended to keep the donation a secret, he acknowledged his involvement after the news became public.

“I have paid for all of your layaways for Christmas,” he said in the video. “So, Merry Christmas to everybody.”

The New Orleans native added: “I know it’s hard times, everyone’s struggling and I’m just really, really grateful to be able to be in a position to do this. So God bless you. Go get your stuff. Merry Christmas!”

A Walmart manager at the Douglasville location revealed there are usually about 1,000 layaway accounts at the store during the holidays, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported.

LeMia Jenkins, director of national media relations for Walmart, said in a statement: “Tyler Perry’s generous donation is making an unbelievable difference for so many families, and we can’t thank him enough for his kindness.”

She added: “The heartfelt excitement and joy we’re seeing from our customers as a result of his holiday gift has been touching.”