Big Sean Thanks Tyler Perry For Honoring Grandmother’s Legacy in 'The Six Triple Eight'
Big Sean has Tyler Perry to thank for closely reflecting his grandmother’s history in the new historical drama, “The Six Triple Eight.”
The film, which is currently in select theaters before its Netflix premiere on December 20, premiered at Los Angeles’ The Egyptian Theatre Hollywood on December 3rd. Among those in attendance were Big Sean, his brother Brett, and their mother Myra Anderson, all of whom held framed pictures of Sean’s grandmother, Mildred V. Leonard. Leonard, who died in 2014 at 93 years old, was a member of the all-Black and all-female 6888th Postal Directory Battalion during World War II. ‘The Six Triple Eight,’ which stars Kerry Washington, Oprah Winfrey, and Ebony Obsidian, follows the contributions of the battalion.
Leonard was among the first Black female captains in the service and was awarded a posthumous Congressional Gold Medal in 2022. In her honor, Sean spoke to The Hollywood Reporter at the premiere, expressing appreciation to Perry for working on an important film.
"The impact, I’m just so, so thankful. I told Tyler Perry how thankful I was, because it’s such an overlooked crucial piece of American history and Black history," the Better Me Than You rapper told the outlet.
"The 6888th Battalion connected millions and millions [with] over 17 million pieces of mail where there was no other means of communication to families and information and just loved ones," he continued. "They were fighting their own war, being strong Black women during segregation and fighting for their country."
He concluded, "I’m just proud of them. Not just my grandmother, proud of all of them. I’m so happy to be raised by such strong Black women that are embedded in my DNA and I’m forever grateful for it. It’s a super emotional night. My grandma was incredible.”