Patrice Lovely discusses her performance as Hattie Mae Love in Tyler Perry’s Madea Cinematic Universe and how, through her manic portrayal of the character, she was able to steal scenes from other cast members. Hattie makes her triumphant return in the most recent episode, titled “A Madea Family Funeral,” in which she is seen consoling those who have lost a loved one while also wreaking havoc alongside Madea.
Lovely, who was raised by a single mother in Hamilton, Ohio and Troy, Alabama, got her start in gospel music before creating the character of Hattie for a gospel stage play. Lovely was born in Jackson, Mississippi, and raised by a single mother there and in Ohio. Lovely’s grandmother and aunt were the source of inspiration for the character of Hattie. Her distinctive voice and catchphrase “Ain’t that niiiiice!” became an instant hit with audiences.
After learning about Hattie, Perry was so taken aback by her that he immediately booked a flight to Detroit to watch Lovely perform. What happened after that, as the saying goes, is history. Hattie made her first appearance alongside Madea in the play “A Madea Christmas” in 2011, and Perry went on to create a television show titled “Love Thy Neighbor” starring Hattie. The show aired for a total of five seasons.
Because Lovely plays Hattie, the role requires her to wear age-appropriate makeup, the application of which can take up to an hour and a half. Nevertheless, in spite of the makeover, Lovely’s devoted followers can still spot her walking around the streets of Atlanta, where she currently resides.