Tyler Perry defends casting Kim Kardashian in 'The Marriage Counselor'

Tyler Perry has defended his decision to cast Kim Kardashian in The Marriage Counselor.

The reality star joined the cast of Perry's next comedy feature film in October. However, a number of fans have been outspoken against the casting, particularly in the wake of Kardashian filing for divorce from basketball star Kris Humphries.

Perry took to his website to address the casting, saying that he wanted to attract a younger audience to the film.

"I thought and still do think, that it would be very responsible of her to be a part of this film," Perry wrote. "To have the young people that look up to her, see her in a film that is about what happens in life when you make the wrong choices."

He continued: "If one of those young people see this film and find the strength to live a better life and not go through what these characters went through in this movie, then we have all done what I feel I'm being led to do here."

He concluded: "I hope you understand. I really do!"

Kardashian began shooting the film earlier this month.