Model files $77 million lawsuit against Tyler Perry, claiming sexual assault

New Allegations Against Tyler Perry

Tyler Perry is currently facing new sexual assault allegations. Model Mario Rodriguez has filed a lawsuit against him, claiming that Perry made repeated unwanted sexual advances over a span of several years. These incidents supposedly began after Rodriguez appeared in Perry’s 2016 film, “Boo! A Madea Halloween.” The lawsuit seeks damages totaling $77 million.

As outlined in the complaint, Rodriguez states he was initially contacted in 2014 by a trainer at Equinox Gym in Los Angeles, who wanted Perry’s phone number to discuss an acting role. Perry later encouraged Rodriguez to audition for “Boo! A Madea Halloween,” allegedly remarking, “I’m not a bad person to know and have in your corner.”

Rodriguez claims that after landing the role, he was invited to Perry’s home, where inappropriate touching allegedly occurred while they were watching a movie. He also describes other incidents spanning 2016, 2018, and 2019, including one where Perry allegedly attempted to unbuckle Rodriguez’s pants and another where he placed Rodriguez’s hand on his genitals. Furthermore, it’s noted in the complaint that Perry had given Rodriguez $5,000 multiple times after these encounters.

Perry’s legal team has firmly denied these allegations, describing the lawsuit as an extortion attempt. “This is nothing short of a $77 million extortion scam,” stated Perry’s attorney, Alex Spiro.

This isn’t the only lawsuit Perry is facing. In June, he was named in a $260 million sexual assault case by actor Derek Dixon. Dixon accused Perry of creating a “coercive and sexually exploitative power relationship” during the filming of “The Oval” and “Ruthless.” The allegations suggest that Dixon faced professional retaliation if she didn’t respond positively to Perry’s unwanted advances.

Dixon claims she first met Perry in September 2019 at an opening party for Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta. By November of that year, she was offered what Perry described as a “life-changing” role on “Ruthless.” Dixon later alleged she was sexually assaulted by Perry in January 2020, just as she was offered a recurring role on “The Oval.”

According to the complaint, Perry implied that her character would be in danger if she didn’t comply with his advances. Dixon’s character, Dale, was shot multiple times in the first season finale, which Perry allegedly used as leverage against her.