Tyler Perry is once again facing a sexual assault lawsuit, this time from a model and aspiring actor whose legal team is seeking tens of millions of dollars in damages. Perry’s attorneys have dismissed the claims as an attempt to extract money, describing the case as another unfounded demand tied to events that allegedly occurred more than a decade ago.

Mario Rodriguez, a model who appeared briefly in Perry’s 2016 film Boo! A Madea Halloween, has filed a lawsuit accusing the filmmaker of sexual assault, sexual battery, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. Rodriguez is seeking $77 million in damages, alleging that Perry made repeated unwanted sexual advances toward him while promising career opportunities.

According to the lawsuit, Rodriguez first came into contact with Perry in 2015 after being approached by a personal trainer at a Los Angeles gym who said Perry wanted to meet him. Rodriguez claims that Perry later contacted him by phone and offered him a small role in Boo! A Madea Halloween. He ultimately appeared in the film as “Frat Guy #10.”

The complaint alleges that Perry later invited Rodriguez to his home on multiple occasions, allegedly under the pretense of discussing future film or television projects. Rodriguez claims that during these visits, Perry made sexual advances while drinking. One incident in November 2018 is described in the lawsuit as particularly distressing, with Rodriguez alleging that Perry grabbed his genitals despite repeated objections and that he had to physically struggle to get away.

Rodriguez further alleges that Perry pressured him by suggesting that compliance would lead to protection and career advancement, reportedly telling him to “let it happen” and implying that he would be “taken care of.” The lawsuit claims that following two alleged incidents, Perry apologized, gave Rodriguez $5,000, and asked him to leave.

A final alleged encounter in April 2019, according to the filing, reinforced Rodriguez’s belief that Perry felt untouchable and indifferent to rejection. The lawsuit also claims that Perry continued to contact Rodriguez intermittently through 2024 and allegedly reached out again by text after learning that Rodriguez intended to pursue legal action, expressing feelings of betrayal and emphasizing the help he had previously provided.

Perry’s attorney, Alex Spiro, issued a statement on December 26 denying the allegations and criticizing Rodriguez’s legal representation. Spiro stated that the same lawyer had recently failed in another case against Perry and characterized the new lawsuit as “yet another demand from more than a decade ago” that would also prove unsuccessful.

Rodriguez is represented by attorney Jonathan J. Delshad, who also represents actor Derek Dixon, another accuser who filed a high-profile lawsuit against Perry earlier this year. Delshad disputed claims that Dixon’s case had failed, explaining that it was simply transferred from California to Georgia and remains active.

In a December 13 Instagram video shared with his nearly one million followers, Rodriguez spoke emotionally about why he had remained silent for years. Without naming Perry directly, he referred to a powerful and well-known director and described feeling fear and shame. Rodriguez expressed regret for not speaking out sooner, suggesting that earlier action might have prevented harm to others.

Perry has consistently denied all allegations made against him. Dixon, who appeared on Perry’s television series The Oval, filed a separate $260 million lawsuit in June alleging sexual harassment, assault, and retaliation. Perry’s legal team has described Dixon’s claims as fabricated and accused him of exploiting a personal and professional relationship for financial gain.

As multiple lawsuits now move forward, Perry’s representatives remain confident that the claims will not succeed, while the accusers maintain that they are finally speaking out after years of silence.