Tyler Perry wants the accusation against him thrown out of court.
The Hollywood star has broken his silence on the latest lawsuit that was filed against him by one Mario Rodriguez, accusing him of inappropriate physical contact during the filming process of his movie.
Tyler Perry was previously mentioned in a $260 million lawsuit by Derek Dixon last year, claiming the star sexually assaulted him, committed sexual battery against him, and intentionally inflicted emotional distress and more.
Tyler Perry Calls Mario Rodriguez's Claim A Money-Grabbing Attempt
The filmmaker insists that the whole lawsuit against him by Rodriguez is nothing but a ploy to get money from him. Perry continued that the actor's claims that he had to endure unwanted advances from him were based on falsehoods that have no basis in fact or law and no merit.
In the documents, Perry's lawyers claimed that Rodriguez turned Perry into his piggy bank after acting in just a very minor role in his film. The documents added that Rodriguez begged for financial aid for his car and many other essential services, and when the gesture from Perry stopped, the model began to tongue lash him.
Perry is now denying that he ever had an inappropriate relationship with the model, nor did he sexually assault him at any point. As noted by TMZ, the director wants Rodriguez's lawsuit to be dismissed and for the model to get nothing from the process.
Mario Rodriguez Requested For Funds To Address Health Issues From The Director
As shared by The Blast in 2025, Rodriguez dragged Perry to court over the sexual assault incident that allegedly happened at his home in 2018. Text messages surfaced last year, where the model approached the filmmaker for financial assistance towards a health issue which left him feeling nauseous and unwell.
The model had claimed to the filmmaker that he had undergone several blood tests, which suggested that his health issue stemmed from an issue with his teeth. He added in the text that he had no insurance, which also meant that should Perry agree to help him, he would bear the financial cost of the whole process.
Rodriguez was seen emphasizing in the conversation that while it may seem like none of Perry's business, his health issues were insurmountable for him without the filmmaker's financial involvement.
What Was Tyler Perry Accused Of By The Model?
Rodriguez claimed in his lawsuit that he first met the filmmaker in 2015 when he was invited to discuss a potential role in one of his movies, "Boo! A Madea Halloween."
He continued that they went to share a few drinks before they moved to the home theatre, where the actor allegedly began making sexually suggestive moves towards him.
Rodriguez claimed that Perry began rubbing his shoulders and chest while making sexual moans. While this was not their only one-on-one meeting, the model emphasized that this was the time something inappropriate occurred.
Rodriguez revealed that three years after their first meeting, Perry approached him again, with a question about whether he liked oral sex. The model added that from there, Perry attempted to reach for his genitals, after which he apologized and offered him $5,000 as hush money.
The model continued that another time, Perry pulled another move by grabbing his hand and forcing him to touch his genitals. He reportedly gave Rodriguez another $5,000 after that incident as he left his residence.
Attorney Questioned The Filmmaker's Intention For Allegedly Paying His Alleged Victims
Jonathan Delshad, a lawyer for Rodriguez and another Perry accuser, explained to The Hollywood Reporter in 2025 that there may be more lawsuits coming for him.
He claimed that the text interactions between Perry and his alleged victims were a peek into the kind of power dynamics he maintained with them. Delshad added that the $5,000 payment was also a way for him to compensate Rodriguez for the alleged assault. In his words:
"Why is he holding himself out as available for favors? That's the larger context of this. This isn't normal behavior from a billionaire producer toward an inconsequential actor who had a tiny role in one of his movies."
Delshad insisted that Perry's famed philanthropic ways were another facade to cover the fact that several actors who played small roles in his movies may have also been victims of his alleged unruly sexual conduct.
He questioned why the model felt safe asking him for money four years after they made a movie together and why Perry felt compelled to respond.
Tyler Perry's Other Accuser Did Not Convince Fans With His Story
Last year, The Blast reported that Dixon appeared in his first televised interview since filing the $260 million lawsuit. He sat down with ABC News Live anchor Linsey Davis, where he revealed that he got into bed and noticed that the filmmaker climbed into the bed with him and started running his leg, forcing him to run out of the room.
However, Dixon's admission in the interview caused a backlash on social media, where fans called him out for lying and trying to sue his way out of poverty. He was condemned for trying to score a large payday by trying to take a black man down after all the actor had built for himself.
Dixon claimed his multi-million-dollar request was not just him seeking a massive payout, but also a means for him to teach Perry a lesson to stop attacking more employees and coercing them to give sexual favors.
Will Tyler Perry succeed in his latest legal mission?
