Tyler Perry is asking a judge to keep private text conversations with his associates from being disclosed publicly. The filmmaker has already supplied the messages to Mario Rodriguez, the actor suing him for alleged sexual assault.
Rodriguez, who appeared in Perry’s 2016 comedy Boo! A Madea Halloween, filed the civil lawsuit in December 2025. He is seeking at least $77 million over alleged unwanted sexual contact during meetings at Perry’s home.
Perry denies the allegations. His attorney, Alex Spiro, has described the lawsuit as a “money grab scam.”
The complaint also targeted the film’s distributor, Lionsgate, with claims of negligence and negligent retention. Rodriguez alleged that the company knew about Perry’s purported misconduct and failed to act.
Perry Says His Associates Expected Their Messages to Remain Private
In court papers reported by TMZ on October 29, Perry argued that the parties had previously agreed to keep the communications confidential.
Some exchanges concern financial matters, according to his filing. Perry maintains that the associates involved have no connection to the underlying case and that releasing their conversations could cause unnecessary embarrassment and annoyance.
TMZ reported that Rodriguez had not yet responded to the request in court papers.
Earlier Texts Between Perry and Rodriguez Became Public in December 2025
A separate set of texts between Perry and Rodriguez surfaced shortly after the lawsuit was filed. The Associated Press reported on December 29, 2025, that it had obtained screenshots from a source close to the situation.
In a Thanksgiving 2024 exchange, Rodriguez thanked Perry for helping him through difficult periods. Messages dated August 31, 2025, described health problems, financial distress and an inability to afford medical care without insurance.
Perry’s lawyers argued that Rodriguez had continued seeking financial assistance and maintaining friendly contact after the alleged misconduct.
“Survivors often stay cordial. They often ask for help when they feel desperate,” he said in a statement released through attorney Jonathan Delshad. Rodriguez said Perry’s influence over his career and income had left him feeling unable to disengage freely.
Rodriguez Discussed His Allegations Before Filing the Complaint
On December 13, 2025, Rodriguez posted an Instagram video about alleged misconduct by a powerful Hollywood director without naming Perry. He described feeling frightened and ashamed about speaking publicly, according to Us Weekly.
The complaint, summarized by his attorneys at Delshad Legal, says a personal trainer helped introduce Rodriguez to Perry before he was cast as Frat Guy #10. Rodriguez alleges that subsequent invitations to discuss acting opportunities led to unwanted sexual advances.
He alleges that Perry attempted to unbuckle his pants and touched him without consent during a November 2018 encounter, then apologized and gave him $5,000. Rodriguez alleges that another unwanted encounter in 2019 was followed by a second payment of the same amount.
Perry Agreed to a December Deposition
Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Brock T. Hammond denied Rodriguez’s motion to compel an earlier deposition on July 27. Perry had already agreed to appear in person on December 9, and the judge found that Rodriguez knew he was unavailable in June.
Rodriguez’s attorneys had argued that an agreement communicated by email did not provide sufficient assurance that the questioning would happen. Perry’s lawyers accused them of using the scheduling dispute to pressure him into settling, according to MyNewsLA.
Rodriguez Seeks Reconsideration of Lionsgate’s Dismissal
After Rodriguez amended his complaint in April and July, Hammond considered Lionsgate’s dismissal request at an October 20 hearing. His final ruling on October 22 removed the studio from the case without allowing another amendment.
The judge found that Rodriguez had not identified additional facts that could remedy the deficiencies in the claims against Lionsgate. Rodriguez’s lawyers then sought reconsideration, with the earliest available hearing date set for February 24, 2027.
According to MyNewsLA‘s October 29 report, Lionsgate submitted a proposed judgment on October 27. Rodriguez’s attorneys asked the following day to delay its signing until the reconsideration motion could be heard. A hearing on that request was scheduled for October 30.