Tyler Perry has responded to criticism regarding his choice to wear dresses while playing the character Madea. He stated that it has always been his personal decision to wear the costume, including the dress. Perry praised Dave Chappelle's intelligence but clarified that his situation is different. He emphasized that nobody else influenced his choice to wear the dress, as he owns the entire franchise. Perry explained that wearing the dress was his choice from the first movie and has continued to be his choice throughout the 19 movies. He sees his portrayal of Madea as wearing a character costume that brings joy and uplifts people. Perry compared it to someone wearing a uniform for work, stating that it is

a way for him to make people laugh and inspire them. Here are some quotes from Tyler Perry regarding his choice to wear dresses while playing the character Madea: - "It has always been my personal decision to wear the costume, including the dress." - "Nobody else influenced my choice to wear the dress, as I own the entire franchise." - "Wearing the dress was my choice from the first movie and has continued to be my choice throughout the 19 movies." - "I see my portrayal of Madea as wearing a character costume that brings joy and uplifts people." - "It's like someone wearing a uniform for work, it's a way for me to make people laugh and inspire them."