Newest Tyler Perry Accuser Explains His Leaked Text Messages ‘Survivors Often Stay Cordial’

During the Holiday weekend a 2nd Tyler Perry actor is suing Perry for sexual assault, sexual battery, and emotional distress  and, he’s asking for punitive damages of at least $77 million.  Mario Rodriguez an actor who appeared in “Boo! A Madea Halloween” filed the lawsuit against Perry and Lionsgate Films.

Text messages were leaked, not long after the news of the lawsuit broke, between Tyler Perry and Mario Rodriguez, that were viewed by PEOPLE appearing to show that Rodriguez referred to Perry as a “friend” over Thanksgiving 2024 and spoke about his health and financial issues to him just months ago. 

Mario Rodriguez the actor who has accused Tyler Perry of sexual assault and sexual battery is addressing newly surfaced text messages:

“I want to briefly respond to what’s being said about me right now. People are pointing to messages where I was polite, grateful, or vulnerable — and trying to use that to discredit me,”…”When someone has influence over your career, your income, your future, you don’t feel free. Survivors often stay cordial. They often ask for help when they feel desperate,”…”That does not mean abuse didn’t happen. Those text messages were sent to Perry at a time when I was especially vulnerable as can be seen from the context. Continued financial support and access are not inconsistent with abuse—they are often part of the power dynamics that follow it.”

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