Honestly, the internet is kinda obsessed with who Tyler Perry is dating right now. You can’t really blame them. When you’re a billionaire with a massive studio and a personal life that's tighter than a vault at Fort Knox, people are going to speculate. It’s been years since his big split, and yet every time he’s seen standing next to a woman on a red carpet, the rumor mill starts churning like crazy.
The truth? It’s complicated. Or maybe it’s incredibly simple and we just don't want to believe it.
Tyler Perry is currently single—at least publicly. He hasn’t had a confirmed, "this is my partner" relationship since he and Gelila Bekele called it quits back in 2020. Remember that Instagram post? The one where he took a gym selfie and basically told the world he was having a midlife crisis at 51? Yeah, that was his way of saying he was back on the market. But since then, he hasn't exactly been flaunting a new flame.
The Gelila Bekele Chapter and the 11-Year Run
To understand why everyone is so curious about who is Tyler Perry dating, you have to look at his history with Gelila Bekele. They were together for over a decade. They met at a Prince concert in 2007—which, let's be real, is a legendary way to meet someone.
They had a son together, Aman, in 2014. For years, she was the "one." But they never married. Tyler has been pretty vocal in the past about his work ethic and whether he’d actually make a good husband. He told Jay Leno years ago that he wasn't sure about marriage but knew he’d be a great father.
When they split in 2020, it wasn't some dramatic, tabloid-heavy explosion. It was quiet. They remain close friends and are famously good at co-parenting. In fact, Gelila even co-directed the documentary Maxine’s Baby: The Tyler Perry Story, which came out recently. If you can work on a documentary about your ex's life, you've clearly reached a level of maturity most of us are still striving for.
Those Crystal Hayslett Rumors
If you’ve spent any time on TikTok or celebrity blogs lately, you’ve probably seen Crystal Hayslett’s name pop up. She plays Fatima on Sistas, and fans are absolutely convinced there’s something going on there. They have great chemistry. They've been seen together at events.
But here’s the thing: they’ve both denied it. Crystal started out as a stylist at Tyler Perry Studios before she ever got in front of the camera. They have a long-standing professional bond. Devale Ellis, her co-star, even went on record to say they’re just best friends. People love a "boss falls for the star" narrative, but there’s zero hard evidence that this is anything more than a solid friendship.
Why the Mystery Persists
Tyler Perry is a master of privacy. He’s a billionaire who lives in a world of high-profile actors and constant media scrutiny, yet we know almost nothing about his day-to-day romantic life. That's intentional.
- Privacy is a choice: He’s stated before that he wants to shield his son from the cameras.
- The "Midlife Crisis" remains: Since that 2020 post, he hasn't updated his status.
- Workaholic tendencies: He famously writes and directs almost everything he produces. When do you date when you're running a 330-acre studio?
There was a brief moment where people thought he might be seeing Lizzie Mathis, an actress and model, after they were spotted together in 2022. But again, nothing was ever confirmed. No "hard launch" on Instagram. No holding hands on a beach in St. Barts. Just... silence.
Dealing with the Speculation
Because he’s so private, people fill in the blanks with their own theories. Some fans have speculated about his sexuality for years, a topic that has recently been fueled by legal controversies and social media chatter in early 2026.
In June 2025, a lawsuit was filed by an actor named Derek Dixon, making various allegations that brought Perry's personal life back into the headlines. While these are legal matters and not "dating" news, they definitely added to the noise surrounding his private life. Tyler hasn't let these rumors change his "quiet" approach to romance, though. He stays focused on the work.
What it Means for the Fans
If you're looking for a name to pin as Tyler Perry's girlfriend, you're going to be disappointed. He's one of the most eligible bachelors in Hollywood, but he seems perfectly content being a "single man of God," as he puts it.
He’s 56 now. He’s got his health, his son, and a net worth that most people can't even wrap their heads around. Maybe he is dating someone in secret. It wouldn't be the first time a celebrity kept a partner hidden for years. But until he decides to share, we’re all just guessing.
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- Check the source: If a "dating" story doesn't have a photo of them actually together or a quote from a rep, it’s probably just fan fiction.
- Look at the co-parenting: Usually, how a celeb treats their ex tells you more about their relationship status than a red carpet photo. Tyler and Gelila are still a united front for their son.
- Respect the boundary: Tyler Perry has spent thirty years building an empire; if he wants to keep his bedroom door closed to the public, he’s certainly earned that right.
The reality is that Tyler Perry is currently navigating his "next chapter" as a single father and mogul. While the world keeps asking who is Tyler Perry dating, he seems more interested in who he's helping and what he's building next. If a new partner does emerge, it’ll likely be on his terms, in his time, and probably with a very short, very direct Instagram caption.