Film and television mogul Tyler Perry is facing a new sexual assault lawsuit filed by an aspiring actor, marking the second set of similar allegations brought against the filmmaker in 2025 and escalating legal scrutiny around his professional conduct.
The latest lawsuit was filed by Mario Rodriguez, a model and actor who appeared in a minor role in Perry’s 2016 film Boo! A Madea Halloween. Rodriguez alleges that Perry made unwanted sexual advances over several years and sexually assaulted him while promising career opportunities. He is seeking $77 million in damages.
Perry’s legal team has categorically denied the allegations, characterizing the lawsuit as a financially motivated claim.
Allegations in the Lawsuit
According to the complaint, Rodriguez says he was first approached in 2015 by a trainer at a Los Angeles gym who told him that Perry wanted to meet him. Shortly afterward, Rodriguez alleges he spoke directly with Perry, who offered him a small role in Boo! A Madea Halloween. Rodriguez ultimately appeared in the film as “Frat Guy #10.”
The lawsuit claims that after the film, Perry invited Rodriguez to his home on multiple occasions under the pretext of discussing future acting opportunities. Rodriguez alleges that during these visits, Perry made unwanted sexual advances, often while drinking.
One alleged incident in November 2018 forms the core of the lawsuit. Rodriguez claims Perry groped him despite repeated objections, forcing Rodriguez to physically struggle to get away. The complaint further alleges that Perry made statements suggesting Rodriguez’s career prospects would improve if he complied with his advances.
Rodriguez alleges that following two of the encounters, Perry apologized, gave him $5,000, and dismissed him. A final alleged incident in April 2019, according to the lawsuit, reinforced Rodriguez’s belief that Perry felt untouchable despite repeated rejections.
The complaint also alleges that Perry continued to contact Rodriguez sporadically through 2024. Rodriguez claims that when Perry became aware that a lawsuit was imminent, he sent messages expressing feelings of betrayal and emphasizing the help he had provided to Rodriguez.
Public Statement and Delay in Coming Forward
Earlier this month, Rodriguez addressed his experience in a December13 Instagram video viewed by his nearly one million followers. While he did not name Perry directly, Rodriguez referred to a “powerful” and widely known director. He described feeling scared and ashamed, explaining why he remained silent for years.
In the video, Rodriguez expressed regret for not coming forward sooner, stating that speaking out earlier might have prevented harm to others. He said he decided to speak publicly now to reclaim his voice and accountability.
Connection to Earlier Lawsuit
Rodriguez is represented by attorney Jonathan J. Delshad, who also represents Derek Dixon, another actor who sued Perry earlier this year. Dixon, who appeared on Perry’s television series The Oval, filed a $260 million lawsuit in June alleging sexual harassment, assault, and retaliation.
Perry has denied Dixon’s allegations as well. In previous statements, his attorneys described Dixon as someone attempting to orchestrate a financial scheme and insisted the claims were fabricated.
In response to the Rodriguez lawsuit, Perry’s attorney Alex Spiro said in a Dec. 26 statement that the same lawyer who previously pursued claims against Perry was now bringing another case from more than a decade ago, calling it a “failed money grab.”
Delshad rejected that characterization, stating that Dixon’s claims remain active and were merely transferred from California to Georgia, not dismissed.
Legal Context and Next Steps
The new lawsuit adds to mounting legal pressure on Perry, whose media empire includes film studios, television productions, and theater ventures. While the allegations remain unproven, the existence of multiple lawsuits with overlapping claims may raise broader legal and reputational questions about workplace power dynamics in the entertainment industry.
No criminal charges have been announced, and Perry has not been found liable in any court related to these allegations. The cases are expected to proceed through civil litigation, where evidentiary standards differ from criminal proceedings.
