Despite a major public backlash and even a fan-driven petition to fire Kim Kardashian from his movie, Tyler Perry isn't backing down. The director defends his decision to cast the reality star in The Marriage Counselor by claiming she'll help bring in a younger audience to his film.

In a statement on his website, Perry says he thinks “it would be very responsible of her to be a part of this film” and good for young people who see her as a role model to “see her in a film that is about what happens in life when you make the wrong choices.”

He then asked his fans to be understanding.

We won't know for several months if Perry's gamble will pay off at the box office, but his sense of loyalty will surely win him some good karma.

(Photo: Terrence Jennings/Picturegroup)