Tyler Perry is giving $1 million to Harvey relief—but there's a controversial catch

Image: Skip Bolen/Getty Images for dcp

Actor and filmmaker Tyler Perry announced on Thursday that he's giving $1 million to aid relief efforts in Texas, which seems great and generous. But there's a weird catch. 

Some of that money is going to controversial televangelist Joel Osteen who has been under fire for initially not allowing folks to take shelter in his church, Lakewood. 

In the video, Perry touches on Charlottesville rallies, trusting charities with his donations, and preemptively defends his decision to give money to the megachurch owner. 

"I was trying to find the right charity to donate to because in the past I have given millions and millions of dollars to charities and was just really disheartened to find out the money I had given didn't actually get to the people," Perry said, explaining that he was looking for people doing work on the ground in Houston. 

“I know that there’s been some controversy about Joel Osteen and him not opening the doors of the church,” Perry said. “Joel and Victoria are amazing people; there’s no way that they would lock people out of the church or not let people seek shelter.”

“There were some safety concerns, and I spoke to them on the phone, and it all made perfect sense to me,” Perry explained. “So, before you just run and judge someone real quick, you need to know the whole circumstances.”

Lakewood Church will receive $250,000 from Perry, who explained he is also giving funds to Beyoncé's pastor. The remaining donations will go to charities he has not yet picked out yet. 

Many people however, did not need to know the "whole circumstance" before jumping in on discussing Perry's decision.  

For what it's worth, Osteen's church is now welcoming people to find refuge within it's doors. 

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