If you’ve seen headlines about Tyler Perry being sued again for sexual assault, you’re not alone — and you’re probably confused. The stories are heavy, the details are messy, and social media is already arguing about guilt and innocence.
On December 25, 2025, Hollywood heavyweight Tyler Perry was hit with a
new $77 million sexual assault lawsuit— the second such civil action filed against him this year
So let’s slow this down and explain it clearly.
No legal talk. No hype. Just what’s actually happening.
First: What Is This Lawsuit About?
A model-actor named Mario Rodriguez, who appeared in Boo! A Madea Halloween (2016), has filed a civil lawsuit against Tyler Perry.
If you don’t know what a civil lawsuit means :
–This is not a criminal court
– Perry has not been arrested
– The court is deciding money damages, not jail
time
Rodriguez claims that between 2014 and 2019, Perry made unwanted sexual advances during private meetings. He says these moments happened in professional settings, including at Perry’s home, and that Perry’s power in Hollywood made it hard to say no.
Rodriguez is asking for $77 million in damages.
Right now, these are allegations. Nothing has been proven in. No judge or jury has ruled on the case. That doesn’t mean the claims are fake. It also doesn’t mean they’re true. It means the legal process hasn’t finished yet — and that matters.
Why Are People Talking About Text Messages?
This part is confusing a lot of people online.
After the lawsuit became public, text messages between Perry and Rodriguez were reported by news outlets. In some of them,
-Rodriguez thanks Perry.
-Sometimes he sounds friendly.
–Also, Rodriguez asks for help with personal problems.
Which is why people immediately jumped to conclusions.
But here’s the key thing many miss.
Staying friendly does not automatically cancel out abuse claims, especially when one person has money, power, and career control over the other.
That doesn’t prove anything either way — it just means the situation is more complicated than a screenshot.
Rodriguez’s lawyer said this clearly:
Survivors often stay polite or dependent because they feel trapped or
unsure.
Courts are used to seeing situations like this. Social media is not.
What Has Tyler Perry Said?
Perry has strongly denied all allegations.
His lawyer has called the lawsuit a “money grab” and says the claims are false. Perry himself has not made emotional public statements, which is normal once lawyers are involved.
Again, denial does not equal proof. An accusation does not equal guilt.
Both things can be true at the same time.
Why This Lawsuit Is a Bigger Deal Than It Sounds
This isn’t just about one movie or one actor.
Tyler Perry isn’t a normal Hollywood figure: He owns his studio. He controls casting, scripts, and production. Besides that, he also has a massive influence on careers.
When someone with that much control is accused of misconduct, people pay attention — because power fundamentally alters how situations unfold.
That’s why this lawsuit isn’t fading away quickly.
A Simple Timeline So You Don’t Get Lost
2014–2019
Mario Rodriguez claims the alleged incidents happened during this period.
June 13, 2025
Another actor, Derek Dixon, files a separate lawsuit against Perry, seeking
$260 million and alleging sexual harassment, assault, and retaliation tied to work on TV shows like The Oval and Ruthless
December 25, 2025
Rodriguez files this second lawsuit, asking for $77 million.
Late December 2025
Text messages between Perry and Rodriguez are reported publicly.
Right now
As of today, no trial dates have been set. No settlement. No ruling. The case is still in the early stages.
What Happens Next?
Now the case moves into the slow part. Lawyers from both sides will start working behind the scenes. They’ll share evidence, argue over details, and decide what can be used in court.
Tyler Perry’s lawyers may also try to get the case thrown out early, which is common in cases like this.
If the lawsuit continues, it could take a long time. Months. Possibly years. During that time, the case could still end in a private settlement, or it could move toward a trial. There’s no clear timeline yet, and nothing is happening fast.
Why It’s Easy to Get This Story Wrong
Stories like this trigger strong reactions. People see a headline, read a few posts online, and feel pushed to pick a side right away. Social media makes that worse by turning serious legal issues into quick opinions.
The truth is more complicated. Allegations should be taken seriously, but they also need to be checked through the legal system. Text messages, screenshots, or short quotes can look convincing on their own, but they rarely show the full situation.
This is also why following cases like this can feel frustrating. The legal system moves slowly on purpose. It’s not built for instant answers.
The Bottom Line
Right now, Tyler Perry is dealing with a serious civil lawsuit. The claims are serious, and the impact on his career could be real. At the same time, no court has decided anything yet, and Perry has denied the allegations.
Nothing has been proven. Nothing has been settled to date, 1st January ,2026.
The smartest way to follow this story is to stay informed, stay patient, and wait for facts — not jump to conclusions based on headlines or online arguments.
