Mario Rodriguez sent Tyler Perry text messages expressing gratitude and friendship years after the alleged sexual assault he described in his $77 million lawsuit. The texts indicate that Perry and the ‘Boo! A Madea Halloween’ actor maintained contact for years after Rodriguez claimed their interactions ceased. This year, months before filing the lawsuit, the actor texted TP about his health and financial issues.
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What Do Texts Between Mario Rodriguez & Tyler Perry Reveal?
Last week, Mario Rodriguez filed a lawsuit against Tyler Perry in California, alleging that the filmmaker assaulted him during multiple encounters between 2014 and 2019. The lawsuit claims that Rodriguez severed contact with Perry in 2019, but it also states that Tyler Perry would occasionally reach out afterward.
However, screenshots of text messages obtained by The Associated Press on Sunday night provide a different perspective. Rodriguez initiated contact with Tyler Perry as recently as Thanksgiving 2024 and again on Aug. 31, 2025. In those messages, the actor reportedly conveyed gratitude, friendship, and financial distress.
In one message sent last Thanksgiving, Mario Rodriguez expressed his thanks to Tyler Perry for supporting him through challenging times in his life. He stated that he appreciated him “to the moon,” according to the screenshots. In another series of messages dated Aug. 31, Rodriguez detailed ongoing health issues. He reportedly mentioned lacking health insurance and told Perry he was scared and struggling financially.
The AP acquired these text 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 Lawyer Reiterates Money Scam Theory
Perry’s attorney, Alex Spiro, challenged Mario Rodriguez’s allegations.
“I said it before and I will say it again,” Spiro stated in a comment. “This is nothing but a $77 million money grab scam.”
Rodriguez’s lawsuit seeks at least $77 million in damages, accusing Tyler Perry of sexual assault, sexual battery, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. Perry has denied these allegations. Spiro’s initial response to Mario’s lawsuit highlighted that the same lawyer is involved in both sexual assault lawsuits filed this year.
“Having recently failed in another matter against Mr. Perry, the very same lawyer has now made yet another demand from more than a decade ago, which will also be a failed money grab,” Spiro told Variety.
Mario Shares Lawyer With Perry’s Other Accuser
Rodriguez’s lawsuit follows a separate case filed in June by actor Derek Dixon. Dixon alleged that Perry groped him while he worked on Perry’s television series ‘The Oval’ and ‘Ruthless.’ That lawsuit was initially filed in California state court and later transferred to federal court in Georgia, where Perry is based. Perry has also denied Dixon’s allegations.
The AP reached out to Rodriguez’s attorney, Jonathan Delshad, for comment on the text messages but did not receive a response. Attorney Delshad also represents Derek Dixon.
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Associated Press Entertainment writer Jonathan Landrum Jr. contributed to this report via AP Newsroom.
