Mario Rodriguez sent Tyler Perry messages of gratitude and friendship years after the sexual harassment allegations she described in her $77 million lawsuit. The documents show that Perry and ‘Boo! The Madea Halloween’ actress stayed in touch years after Rodriguez said their relationship was over. This year, months before the lawsuit, the actor sent a message to TP about his health and financial problems.
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What Are the Texts Between Mario Rodriguez and Tyler Perry?
Last week, Mario Rodriguez sued Tyler Perry in California, claiming that the filmmaker harassed him between 2014 and 2019. The lawsuit says Rodriguez cut ties with Perry in 2019.
However, screenshots of the messages obtained by The Associated Press on Sunday night show another POV. Rodriguez started dating Tyler Perry as recently as Thanksgiving 2024 and again on Aug. 31, 2025. In those text messages, the actor reportedly expresses gratitude, friendship, and financial stress.
In one message sent last Thanksgiving, Mario Rodriguez thanked Tyler Perry for helping him through difficult times in his life. He wrote that he appreciated him “on the moon,” according to the screenshots. In another series of messages dated August 31, Rodriguez described ongoing health problems. He allegedly said he did not have health insurance and told Perry he was scared and struggling financially.
The AP obtained the messages from a source close to the situation who spoke on condition of anonymity. The source, according to AP, was not authorized to discuss the matter publicly.
Tyler’s Attorney Doubles Down on Money Scam Theory
Perry’s attorney, Alex Spirodenied the allegations of Mario Rodriguez.
“I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again,” Spiro said in a statement. “This is nothing more than a $77 million money laundering scam.”
Rodriguez’s lawsuit seeks at least $77 million in damages. Accuses Tyler Perry of sexual assault, sexual battery and infliction of emotional distress. Perry dismissed the allegations. Spiro’s initial response to the Mario case revealed that the same attorney is involved in both sexual assault cases filed this year.
“Having recently failed in another case against Mr. Perry, the same attorney is now making another bid in over a decade, which will be a failed forfeiture,” Spiro told Variety.
Mario Has The Same Lawyer As Perry’s Other Accuser
Rodriguez’s lawsuit follows another lawsuit filed in June by actor Derek Dixon. Dixon alleges Perry groped her while working on Perry’s television series ‘The Oval’ and ‘Ruthless.’ That case was filed in California state court and later transferred to federal court in Georgia, where Perry is based. Perry also denied Dixon’s allegations.
The AP reached out to Rodriguez’s attorney, Jonathan Delshadwanted to comment on the messages, but did not receive a response. Attorney Delshad is also representing Derek Dixon.
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Associated Press Entertainment writer Jonathan Landrum Jr. contributed to this report via AP Newsroom.
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