Tyler Perry Loses $100K Bid for Nipsey Hussle Portrait at Wearable Art Gala

Tyler Perry’s strike of luck ran out as he lost a $100k bid for a Nipsey Hussle portrait at Tina Knowles’ annual Wearable Art Gala last weekend. The bidding war against Felicia Horowitz went down in front of Blue Ivy, whom Perry beat last year in a bid at the same event.

Tyler Perry is winning in most aspects of his life, but last Saturday the director had to concede the victory to fellow author and entrepreneur Felicia Horowitz.

Both stars were honorees at the WACO (Where Art Can Occur) Foundation annual charitable costume event, The Wearable Art Gala, which was hosted by Tina Knowles and husband Richard Lawson and raised over $2 million for arts education and the foundation’s theater center.

A BIDDING WAR

During the “Lion King” themed gala—which took place last Saturday—several works of art were auctioned, including an original portrait of late rapper Nipsey Hussle made by artist Tiffany Anderson using acrylic, mica flakes, crystal, broken glass and resin on a wood panel.

The bidding started in less than $50k with Tyler Perry and Felicia Horowitz going back and forth until a proud Tyler Perry lifted his $100k paddle.

However, the master of ceremonies, Tiffany Haddish, asked Felicia if she would give $101k, and she accepted, taking home the impressive piece.

A DIFFERENT VICTORY

Although Perry lost this time around, last year he had the satisfaction of beating Beyoncé and Jay-Z’s daughter, Blue Ivy, in a similar bidding war over a painting of a young Sidney Poitier.

Blue initially offered $17k for the work of art, and Perry countered with $18K. The girl came back with $19K, as her father jokingly tried to take away her paddles. Finally, the piece was sold to Perry for $20K.

This year, Perry was recognized for his contributions to the entertainment industry through his art with the Trailblazer Award.

THE THEME AND GUESTS

The event was themed as “A Journey to the Pride Lands” to celebrate the upcoming Disney’s film “The Lion King,” a live-action adaptation of the ‘90s animated film where Beyoncé has a voice role.

“My kids [Beyoncé and Solange] and I watched ‘The Lion King’ probably 30 times, so I was a big push for Beyoncé to do the voice of Nala,” Tina Knowles confessed to Variety.

She also gushed about how much the gala has grown through the past three years.

“We started at the African American museum only three years ago, and I said maybe ten years down [the road] we can be at the Barker Hangar because I love this venue,” she said.

Adding:

“And to think that we got here in three years, I’ve just been on my knees today thanking God, because it’s just a blessing and to have all these amazing people show up and support, it couldn’t be better.”

Aside from Perry, Beyoncé, Jay-Z, and Blue Ivy, other guests included Chris Tucker, Marsai Martin, Holly Robinson Peete, Steve Harvey, and the musical duo Chloe x Halle.