Tyler Perry defends casting Kim Kardashian in new movie

Tyler Perry attends Oprah's last show on May 17, 2011, in Chicago, Illinois.

/ Getty Images

(CBS/AP) Filmmaker Tyler Perry is defending his decision to cast recently divorced reality television star Kim Kardashian in his upcoming film about marriage.

Perry announced that Kardashian will have a role in "The Marriage Counselor" shortly before she ended her 72-day marriage to NBA player Kris Humphries, creating a buzz on social media sites.

Perry explained that he wanted a younger cast to help attract younger viewers.

In a statement on his website, Perry said he didn't imagine there would be so much backlash.

"I could not have imagined I'd be getting all these emails about Kim Kardashian," the filmmaker said.

Before Kardashian's divorce Perry said he was finishing up casting for the movie and asked one of his producers, " 'Who else is out there that young people are looking up to?'"

Perry said he thinks "it would be a very responsible of her to be a part of his 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. "

Perry asked for his fans' understanding.

[suzala5656]

Gee, let's see...KK stages indecently decadent wedding during our worst economy in decades, makes millions on airing it then almost immediately files for divorce, announces that to public but not to her hubby, declares she will not be returning all those expensive wedding gifts to guests, got famous via homemade porn, publishes how she supported her daddy's wife-beating murderer BFF -OJ-, and now TP hires her as his movie's "role model" that "young people look up to"?? When he refers to making "the wrong choice", he hit the nail on the head. Shame on you, TP. Our society is in the toilet enough without your promoting more trash. BOYCOTT THIS MOVIE!

[boatdocster]

KK is a loser!

[JackInDelaware]

OY !!!