President Barack Obama and Tyler Perry Greet onstage at the African American Leadership Council gala at Tyler Perry Studio on March 16, 2012 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Prince Williams/WireImage)

Madea’s Witness Protection star Tyler Perry spoke candidly with Essence during a recent interview, and revealed that he used to turn to alcohol to help him cope with the pain of losing his mother, who died in 2009. The actor/director says that a visit from President Obama prompted him to kick his alcohol habit.

“When she got sick in 2009 I started drinking every night because I couldn’t sleep — every night up to a couple of months ago,” Perry said.

“I’d have me a nice big glass of Hennessy and I would sleep through the night. It was President Obama’s visit to my studio, I don’t know what happened there, but when he came everything became clear. I just kind of came out of a haze. It was like, “Wake up, kid. You know life is still going on. I know you miss her, I know you care but wake up. Life is still going on.” I swear the day after he left was the day I just said I am going to sleep without it.”

Tyler Perry held a fundraiser for President Obama in March at Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta. One thousand donors attended the event and tickets were sold for the hefty sum of $500, though a smaller number were priced at $250.

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