Tyler Perry Accused of Sexual Harassment by Second Actor, ‘Madea’ Mogul’s Lawyer Slams $77M Lawsuit as ‘Money Grab’
Tyler Perry is facing new allegations of sexual harassment from another actor who has filed a $77 million lawsuit, alleging years of unwanted rape and sexual battery.
Model Mario Rodriuez has landed his first acting role Buu! Madea Halloween. He said Perry hired him personally through a trainer at the Los Angeles Equinox gym who said the executive producer wanted an introduction. He said he received an offer to play the small role of “Frat Guy #10.” In accordance with Page SixThe lawsuit alleges that this began a series of promises of multiple opportunities that enticed Rodriguez by seeking sex.
The complaint filed Thursday says that in November 2018, Perry invited Rodriguez to Mastro’s Steakhouse in Beverly Hills to discuss his role. The Oval for dinner. Then Rodriguez said they went to the director’s house, where Perry “hug” him tightly, tried to unbutton his pants, and “got into Mr. Rodriguez’s underwear.”
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“Mr. Perry was making sexual moaning noises and saying, ‘Stay here, stay here,’ as he pressed his body against Mr. Rodriguez and continued to grab his penis,” the complaint said.
Rodriguez said she “repeatedly told Mr. Perry to stop,” but he had to “fight hard to get away.” He said Perry apologized after the rejection and paid him $5,000.
In the alleged incident in April 2019, the lawsuit says Perry grabbed Rodriguez’s hand and placed it in his private area. Perry reportedly told her to “let it happen” and “If you’d just be with me, I’ll take care of you, and you won’t have to worry about anything.”
According to documents obtained by THE PEOPLEthe millionaire gave Rodriguez $5,000 when he again “fired” him. After the alleged incident, the petition says:
“More than ever, it was clear that Mr. Perry would do whatever he wanted, whenever he wanted, to whoever he wanted no matter how many times he was rejected.”
Rodriguez continued his acting career outside of the Madeaverse for two seasons Family Business in 2020 and 2021. However, he says Perry continued to “unscheduled access to him” until 2024.
“When Perry realized Rodriguez was going to file this action, Perry contacted Rodriguez again via text,” the filing continued, saying Perry said he “felt betrayed” after he “did so much to help Rodriguez.”
As BOSSIP previously reported, The Oval actor Derek Dixon made similar allegations in Perry’s $260M lawsuit. He accused Perry of hooking him up with offers to act and produce a script Dixon wrote. The lawsuit alleges that invitations to meet at Perry’s home to discuss work turned into sexual harassment and abuse. Attorney Jonathan J. Delshad is representing both Dixon and Rodriguez.
See what Mario Rodriguez had to say with his words and Tyler Perry’s response after the flip.
Mario Rodriguez Talked About Abuse Weeks Before He Filed A Sexual Assault Charge
Two weeks before the case went public, Mario Rodroguez took to Instagram to talk about the ordeal. “This is very difficult to talk about,” he wrote in the caption. In the Dec. 13 clip, Rodriguez talked about her struggle with feeling “scared and ashamed,” and how that keeps victims quiet.
A clip of her words and her feelings of guilt waiting to be blamed by the victim “for being in the situation” for “being there” during the sexual harassment and abuse.
“I heard all that when the great director, a person with great power that everyone knows, invited me to his house to talk about his roles and the future things he was writing,” which made him think that “all my dreams are coming true.”
“Then it happens, my boundaries are crossed. This person feels he has authority over you because of the situation and the opportunity,” he continued. He then said that fear kept him quiet, which put others at risk of facing the same situation.
“I have been silent for too long. And I want to apologize profusely, man, because if I had spoken sooner, I would have saved someone who might have happened to him after me,” he continued. “I want to apologize for that, whoever that is. It wouldn’t stand with me if I said anything. … But I’m talking now.”
On December 26, Perry’s attorney Alex Spiro released a statement denouncing the lawsuit as a “money grab” after the same attorney represented Derek Dixon:
“Having recently failed in another case against Mr. Perry, this same attorney has made yet another unsuccessful motion for forfeiture over ten years ago.”
Delshad denied the claim PEOPLE, noting that Dixon’s claims are “alive, and none of them have failed; they’ve just been moved to a different court,” due to the case moving from California to Georgia.
