We aren’t even through the first quarter of 2024 and it’s already been an unprecedented year of venting, grievance airing and unfiltered trash talking.
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Since it seems like there’s something new every day, you might’ve forgotten about who started this current trend of dirty laundry exposure: Christian Keyes, who had us blowing the steam off of piping-hot tea before Santa headed for the chimneys.
Keyes, an actor and writer whose novel “Ladies Night” was adapted in the BET+ show “All the Queen’s Men,” spoke out against bad Hollywood players on Instagram live for an hour on Dec. 15, 2023 –- specifically referencing one “powerful man” whom he claimed sexually harassed him.
The weeks leading up to the holidays were filled with internet sleuthing and conjecture regarding the identity of the “powerful man.” Two men still remain at the top of the suspects list: Bishop T.D. Jakes, who was being “swallloooooowed up” by separate rumors involving his presence – and sexual behavior – at Diddy’s parties; and, of course Tyler Perry, who employed Keyes in his stage plays “Madea Goes to Jail” and “What’s Done in the Dark,” and produced “All the Queen’s Men.”
As time went on, Keyes started courting ire from folks frustrated at his refusal to reveal his harasser’s identity while also claiming that he was triggered by his name being constantly mentioned in the dialogue. “Dude, just tell us who he is or shut your face” became the collective sentiment.
And just like that…poof. Vamoose. Nothing. The Great, Disappearing Keyes.
Since we have had such a wealth of mess to keep our attention, many have moved on. But we haven’t forgotten.
The whole affair is fodder for conspiracy theorists: we know this “powerful” man whom Keyes is accusing hasn’t had him assassinated, as he’s been active on Instagram peddling a Black skincare brand and has a scheduled appearance at Motor City Comic Con in Detroit this May being promoted on X/Twitter.
But did Perry give Keyes hush money to ensure his silence? In an era in which Diddy can throw a Gibraltar-sized bag at Cassie to keep her quiet, many folks believed from jump that Keyes leveled these allegations strictly to secure a bag. But Perry doesn’t give off the impression that he easily capitulates to blackmail or any demands of his time or attention (ask Mo’Nique, who’s been trying and failing miserably to get him to publicly address their issues.)
Perry has also endured speculation about his sexuality throughout his entire career, so either he wanted to shut Keyes up via a copious number of Benjamins or this billionaire wasn’t about to let one of his lil’ actors strongarm him into speaking out on the topic after decades of keeping quiet about it.
Or, perhaps, Keyes was never talking about Perry at all.
Regardless, Perry never gave off that he was publicly bothered by any of the speculation, as he continues working behind the scenes to release atrocious films that we all watch anyway. But if Keyes wasn’t talking about Perry, he did a terrible job of absolving his name.
As such, we doubt Keyes will be popping up in any Tyler Perry Studios projects anytime soon – which might just be a bag fumble on his part.
Straight From 
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