Big Sean got to see some of his family’s history on the big screen recently, and he credited Tyler Perry for the experience.
On Tuesday (December 3) Sean attended the premiere of the new Netflix movie The Six Triple Eight, which Perry wrote and directed. It’s a story the Detroit rapper has a deep connection to.
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The movie tells the real-life story of an all-Black and all-female military unit during World War II, the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion. Sean’s grandmother Mildred Virginia Dupee Leonard was a member of that battalion, so the rapper carried a picture of her onto the red carpet in tribute. (Leonard herself died in 2014).
You can see Sean talking to Entertainment Tonite about Leonard below.
@entertainmenttonight Big Sean is honoring his late grandmother Mildred V. Leonard at the premiere of upcoming war drama ‘The Six Triple Eight’ 🥹 #bigsean#thesixtripleeight#wwii#music♬ original sound – Entertainment Tonight
The day after the big premiere, Sean took to Instagram to share photos, and to thank Perry for making the film. He also shouted out two of the film’s stars, Kerry Washington (who stars as the battalion’s commanding officer Charity Adams) and Oprah Winfrey (who plays legendary activist Mary McLeod Bethune).
“I’m forever grateful to @tylerperry for telling the incredible story of the World War II battalion my Grandma was apart of along with so many strong black women The 6888!!” he wrote.
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“It was an honor for our family to represent her. As much as my whole family loves Tyler Perry, Kerry Washington n Oprah (she watched the Oprah show everyday), i know having her name at the end listed among so many other strong women is miracle and a honor.
“I cant wait to show my Son what his Great Grandmother was apart of when he’s older.”
The Six Triple Eight is in select theaters now and will be on Netflix on December 20.
Sean, in addition to paying tribute to his grandmother, has lately been fending off public pressure to tie the knot with longtime girlfriend Jhené Aiko.
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Speaking to TMZ last month, the Detroit rapper was asked if he felt pressure to marry Aiko given the spotlight on the pair — especially since Aiko had been seen wearing a ring.
He simply responded: “No, I didn’t.”
Sean added: “I don’t think too much about it, man. You know what? Life is short, bro, so you got to do what you feel, you know what I’m saying?”
The 36-year-old then affirmed: “She is the best, though, I’ll tell you that.”
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The reporter also asked Sean if Aiko was “the one,” to which he replied: “Of course.”
