Tyler Perry Accuser Defends Past Interactions as Lawsuit Proceeds
UPDATE — 12/29/25, 7:41 p.m. ET: Mario Rodriguez, the second individual who has accused Tyler Perry of sexual assault, has addressed the situation following the filing of his lawsuit against the filmmaker.
“I want to briefly respond to what’s being discussed about me currently. People are referencing messages where I was polite, appreciative, or vulnerable — and attempting to use that to discredit me,” Rodriguez stated in a communication to People on Monday, December 29. “When someone holds influence over your career, your earnings, your future, you don’t feel liberated. Survivors often maintain a cordial demeanor. They often seek assistance when they feel desperate.”
Rodriguez continued, “That does not signify abuse didn’t occur. Those text messages were sent to Perry during a time when I was particularly vulnerable, as the context demonstrates. Continued financial support and access are not inconsistent with abuse — they are frequently part of the power dynamics that accompany it.”
Original story:
Tyler Perry is confronting a $77 million legal action after a second performer alleged he committed sexual assault.
Mario Rodriguez, who had a minor role in Perry’s film Boo! A Madea Halloween, submitted the lawsuit against the actor and Lionsgate films in California on Thursday, December 25, according to People and Page Six.
In the lawsuit Rodriguez reportedly claimed Perry sexually assaulted him and made unwelcome advances while promising him future acting roles – assertions that Perry’s attorney Alex Spiro characterized as a “financial ploy.”
Page Six reported that Rodriguez asserted via the lawsuit that Perry “tightly embraced” him, “reached into Mr. Rodriguez’s undergarments” and touched his genitals in a 2018 incident. The pair had reportedly gone to Perry’s residence after Perry invited Rodriguez to dinner at Mastro’s Steakhouse in Beverly Hills, California to discuss a potential part in his series, The Oval.
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“Mr. Perry was emitting sexual moaning sounds and saying, ‘Stay here, stay here,’ while he pressed his body against Mr. Rodriguez and continued to grab his penis,” the court documents alleged, per Page Six.
People reported that during one of the alleged unwanted advances, Perry encouraged Rodriguez to “let it happen” and told him, “If you were to simply be with me, I would provide for you….”
According to both outlets, Rodriguez also claimed via the lawsuit that following two instances of unwelcome sexual advances, Perry apologized and compensated him $5,000.
Rodriguez, who is requesting $77 million in damages, is being represented by attorney Jonathan J. Delshad. Delshad also represented actor Derek Dixon, who previously made sexual assault allegations against Perry.
“Having recently failed in another case against Mr. Perry, the very same legal professional has now made another demand from more than a decade ago which will also be a failed financial ploy,” Perry’s attorney Spiro told Us Weekly in a statement on Friday, December 26.
Posting to his Instagram on December 13, Rodriguez discussed an unnamed “powerful” director “that everyone knows.” He explained in the post that he felt “scared and ashamed.”
“I remained silent for far too long. And I simply want to say I’m truly sorry, man. Because if I had spoken up sooner I could have potentially saved someone that this probably happened to after me,” he said in the video. “I just want to apologize for that, whoever that may be. It could have been stopped with me if I had said something. … But I’m speaking up now.”
Us Weekly has reached out to Rodriguez’s representatives for comment.
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In June, Perry faced a similar lawsuit when Dixon sued Perry and his production company over alleged sexual assault on the set of The Oval. Dixon was seeking $260 million in damages from Perry and his production company.
Perry informed the court that actor Dixon’s lawsuit accusing him of sexual assault was “profoundly disappointing, cynical and — most of all — false,” Us Weekly reported in October.
“Dixon fabricates alleged assaults and encounters that never occurred. Mr. Perry never assaulted Dixon or committed any sexual battery. He did not offer Dixon pay raises and assign Dixon’s television pilot script to threaten, coerce, or control Dixon,” the court filing read.
“Dixon earned through merit alone whatever professional opportunities he received from [Perry and his company],” Perry’s lawyer noted. “And it is noteworthy that in his effort to exploit his friendship and professional relationship with Mr. Perry to obtain a $260 million payday, Dixon was compelled to lie not only about Mr. Perry, but himself too.”
