Alleged sufferer says well mannered texts do not disprove abuse, as survivors typically keep cordial as a result of energy dynamics
Sufferer claims monetary help just isn’t inconsistent with abuse, typically a part of the complicated realities confronted
Sufferer reached out to Perry for assist with well being and monetary points earlier than submitting $77M lawsuit
New info has come out within the newest sexual assault lawsuit in opposition to Tyler Perry.
Supply: Paras Griffin / Getty
Mario Rodriguez, the person who has accused Perry of sexual assault and sexual battery, has responded following newly surfaced textual content messages between the pair.
“I need to briefly reply to what’s being mentioned about me proper now,” Rodriguez started in an announcement obtained by PEOPLE. “Persons are pointing to messages the place I used to be well mannered, grateful, or weak — and making an attempt to make use of that to discredit me.”
The mannequin filed a lawsuit in opposition to the filmmaker on Dec. 25, alleging that Perry assaulted him and made undesirable sexual advances whereas promising him appearing roles.
He continued, “When somebody has affect over your profession, your earnings, your future, you don’t be at liberty. Survivors typically keep cordial. They typically ask for assist after they really feel determined.”
“That doesn’t imply abuse didn’t occur,” Mario insisted. “These textual content messages have been despatched to Perry at a time after I was particularly weak as may be seen from the context. Continued monetary help and entry are usually not inconsistent with abuse—they’re typically a part of the facility dynamics that observe it.”
Rodriguez, who appeared in a minor function in Perry’s 2016 film Boo! A Madea Halloween, is now searching for $77 million in damages. Perry’s legal professional Alex Spiro informed PEOPLE when the swimsuit was filed that it’s “nothing however a 77 million greenback cash seize rip-off.”
Now, newly surfaced textual content messages present that Rodriguez referred to Perry as a “buddy” over Thanksgiving 2024, talking about his well being and monetary points to the filmmaker simply months earlier than submitting his lawsuit.
“Simply know that I like you and I thanks for all the things. I admire you to the moon,” one among Rodriguez’s alleged texts to Perry learn. “You bought my Mexican ass out of a whole lot of dangerous locations and I simply wanna inform you thanks.”
“I can’t purchase you something, however I simply wanna inform you that your boy proper right here appreciates you greater than something,” Rodriguez’s alleged textual content learn. “Straight from my coronary heart bro nothing I wouldn’t do for you man in any case take pleasure in your time and I hope I see you once more quickly.”
Rodriguez went on to say in his assertion relating to the textual content messages: “In lots of conditions involving exploitation, cash can perform as a method to handle guilt, keep away from battle, or keep silence. The existence of economic help doesn’t disprove hurt. It’s fully in line with the complicated realities survivors face after abuse.”
In response to reviews from Web page Six, Rodriguez allegedly contacted Perry again in August to say he was struggling financially amid unspecified well being points earlier than asking for cash.
“Brother haven’t been feeling okay confused and lil nauseous I acquired blood work thinks its my tooth I do know it’s none of what you are promoting idk what do I do know I promised you I might by no means ask you for something, however whether it is what I feel it’s, I don’t suppose I may do it alone as a result of I barely pay my payments,” Rodriguez allegedly texted Perry on Aug. 31.
He allegedly went on to confess he was “scared af,” saying he didn’t need to “get sepsis like [his] dad and move away…really feel sick most days by no means informed anyone this however my mother and all people is beginning to discover my broke ass. Don’t have insurance coverage. i’d by no means misinform you, however I feel that’s what fallacious.”
“I simply can’t go to the physician as a result of l can’t even afford it. I don’t need something. I simply wanna be OK. scared brother,” he concluded, per the outlet. It’s unclear if Perry responded.
Rodriguez is being represented by legal professional Jonathan J. Delshad, who represented Derek Dixon, one other actor who made related allegations in opposition to Perry in June 2025. Perry has additionally denied these claims.
