Tyler Perry Fights Mario Rodriguez Over Private Text Messages
Tyler Perry is locked in a court battle with Mario Rodriguez over private text messages involving the director and his associates, tmz.com reported on October 29, 2026. Court documents obtained by TMZ show that Perry turned over the messages during discovery but argues they should remain confidential under a prior agreement between the two parties.
The director states the conversations should stay private because they involve personal financial matters. According to the filings, Perry and his texting partners believed the chats were entirely confidential, and Rodriguez has no legal right to release them publicly. Perry’s legal team argues that his associates have no connection to the underlying lawsuit, meaning disclosure would cause unnecessary annoyance and embarrassment.
The $77 Million Lawsuit Details
The text message dispute stems from a $77 million sexual assault lawsuit filed against Perry by Rodriguez. Rodriguez claimed he met the filmmaker at a gym in 2015, an encounter that subsequently led to a role in the film “Boo! A Madea Halloween.”
In his court complaint, Rodriguez alleged that Perry assaulted him during a 2018 visit to the director’s home. The suit claims Perry asked if he liked oral sex, grabbed him inappropriately, and later handed him $5,000 along with an apology. Rodriguez further alleged that Perry forced a hand onto his penis during a subsequent hangout, prompting another $5,000 payment.
Perry Denies Wrongdoing While Text Message Battle Continues
Perry and his corporate entities have denied all allegations of wrongdoing in the case. Court records show Perry’s defense previously claimed that Rodriguez maintained contact long after the alleged incidents and only turned litigious after Perry stopped providing financial assistance.
This latest clash over text messages follows an earlier court battle regarding whether Perry had to answer questions about his sexuality during his deposition. At the time of that dispute, attorney Alex Spiro characterized the entire legal action as a shakedown.
Did you know?
Mario Rodriguez has not yet filed a formal response in court addressing Tyler Perry’s motion to keep the contested text message exchanges sealed from the public.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Case
Rodriguez sued Perry for $77 million following alleged incidents stemming from a 2015 gym meeting and a 2018 home visit.
According to court documents, the private messages involve Perry and various associates discussing financial matters that Perry maintains have no relevance to the lawsuit.
Has Mario Rodriguez responded to the text message motion?
As of court filings reviewed by TMZ, Rodriguez has not yet responded to the issue in his own court documents.
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