Tyler Perry faces a second sexual assault lawsuit in 2025 as an aspiring actor alleges abuse of power in Hollywood. The filmmaker denies all claims as legal battles intensify.
Hollywood filmmaker and media mogul Tyler Perry is facing renewed legal scrutiny after a second sexual assault lawsuit was filed against him this year, raising serious questions about power, influence, and accountability in the entertainment industry. The latest complaint comes from an aspiring actor and model who alleges that Perry used his stature in Hollywood to exploit young men seeking opportunities in film and television.
Details of the New Lawsuit
The lawsuit was filed Thursday in Los Angeles Superior Court by Mario Rodriguez, a model whose first film role was in Boo! A Madea Halloween. Rodriguez claims that over the course of several years, Perry subjected him to multiple incidents of unwanted sexual contact at Perry’s Los Angeles home.
According to the complaint, Rodriguez is seeking $77 million in punitive damages, alleging that Perry repeatedly crossed boundaries while suggesting future acting roles that never materialized. The lawsuit also names Lionsgate as a defendant, citing its business relationship with Perry during the period in question.
Rodriguez alleges that in 2018, Perry unbuckled his pants, grabbed his genitals, and pressed his body against him without consent. In another alleged incident later that year or in early 2019, Perry reportedly invited Rodriguez to watch a football game and placed Rodriguez’s hand on his penis. The complaint further claims that after two of the most severe encounters, Perry apologized and placed $5,000 in cash into Rodriguez’s pocket before he left.
Read also… Stranger Things Season 5 Volume 2 Review: A Bigger, Messier, and Emotional March Toward the Finale
How Rodriguez Says He Met Perry
The lawsuit states that Rodriguez was first introduced to Perry in 2015 through a personal trainer at a Los Angeles Equinox gym where Rodriguez regularly worked out. That introduction allegedly led to his casting as a “very good-looking college student” in Boo! A Madea Halloween and to a personal relationship that Rodriguez says frequently drifted into uncomfortable and inappropriate territory.
Rodriguez claims Perry asked him probing personal questions about past trauma and repeatedly implied that future acting opportunities were possible. These promises, the lawsuit alleges, created an imbalance of power that left Rodriguez feeling unable to push back or walk away.
Perry’s Legal Team Pushes Back
Perry’s attorney, Alex Spiro, strongly denied the allegations, calling the lawsuit a “money grab.” In a statement, Spiro said the same lawyer representing Rodriguez had recently failed in another case against Perry and was now reviving claims from more than a decade ago. Perry’s legal team maintains that the accusations are fabricated and will not hold up in court.
Lionsgate has not publicly commented on the lawsuit as of publication.
Connection to an Earlier 2025 Lawsuit
The new filing follows a separate lawsuit brought in June by actor Derek Dixon, who also alleges sexual harassment, assault, and retaliation by Perry. Dixon, like Rodriguez, is represented by Los Angeles attorney Jonathan J. Delshad.
Dixon worked with Perry for several years on BET productions, including The Oval. In his 46-page complaint, Dixon alleges that Perry created what he described as a “coercive, sexually exploitative dynamic” while controlling his career opportunities.
According to Dixon, he first met Perry in 2019 while working an event at Perry’s Atlanta studios. Perry later offered him a role on the series Ruthless, followed by a series-regular role on The Oval. Dixon alleges that in 2020, Perry sexually assaulted him in a guest bedroom at Perry’s home, and that additional assaults occurred later that year in Dixon’s trailer and during a cast trip to Perry’s private island in the Bahamas.
Allegations of Retaliation and Career Pressure
Dixon’s lawsuit claims that because his livelihood depended on Perry, he felt pressured to tolerate ongoing advances for years. The complaint alleges that the behavior continued into 2021 and that Dixon ultimately chose to leave The Oval during its final season in 2023 to distance himself from Perry—at the cost of nearly $400,000 in lost earnings.
Dixon is seeking $260 million in damages and has requested a jury trial. His case, initially filed in California, has since been moved to federal court in Georgia.
Perry’s attorney in that case, Matthew Boyd, has also denied all wrongdoing, stating that Dixon’s claims amount to an attempted scam and that Perry will not be intimidated into a settlement.
Broader Implications for Hollywood
Together, the two lawsuits paint a troubling picture of alleged misconduct tied to power dynamics in Hollywood, particularly involving young or aspiring actors. While the allegations remain unproven, the cases highlight ongoing concerns about how influence and career gatekeeping can create environments ripe for abuse.
Both lawsuits are in early stages, and Perry has not been charged criminally. As the legal process unfolds, courts—not public opinion—will determine the validity of the claims. Still, the accusations mark a significant moment for one of the most influential figures in modern entertainment and may have lasting implications for how studios and production companies address allegations of misconduct.
For now, Tyler Perry continues to deny all allegations, while the plaintiffs say they are seeking accountability, justice, and systemic change in an industry long criticized for protecting powerful figures at the expense of vulnerable voices.