Tyler Perry is asking a Los Angeles court to keep private text messages out of the public domain as he continues to defend himself against a $77 million sexual assault lawsuit filed by actor Mario Rodriguez.
In a motion filed Thursday, the filmmaker argued that the communications were provided to Rodriguez under an explicit confidentiality agreement and should not be disclosed beyond the ongoing legal proceedings.
According to the filing, Perry believes releasing the messages would cause “unnecessary embarrassment” and violate the privacy of third parties whose personal conversations may appear in the material.
The filmmaker is seeking a court order restricting how Rodriguez can use or share the communications outside the litigation.
What Is the $77 Million Lawsuit About?
Rodriguez, who appeared as “Frat Guy #10” in Perry’s 2016 film Boo! A Madea Halloween, filed the lawsuit in December 2025.
He alleges that Perry made repeated unwanted sexual advances toward him between 2014 and 2019.
Among the allegations is an incident in which Rodriguez claims Perry grabbed his genitals while the two were watching a movie at the filmmaker’s home.
The lawsuit seeks at least $77 million in damages and includes claims of sexual battery, sexual assault and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
Perry has strongly denied the allegations.
Perry’s Defence and Rodriguez’s Response
Perry’s attorney, Alex Spiro, has described the lawsuit as a “failed money grab,” arguing that the allegations have no basis in fact or law.
The defence has also claimed that Rodriguez repeatedly sought financial assistance from Perry, including money for a car and medical bills, and only pursued legal action after the filmmaker stopped providing support.
Rodriguez has pushed back against that argument, maintaining that the tone of their text exchanges should not be treated as proof that his allegations are untrue.
He argues that people who experience abuse may continue communicating cordially with individuals who hold influence over their careers or financial circumstances, particularly when they feel vulnerable or financially dependent.
Court to Decide Whether Messages Remain Private
The latest motion adds another dispute to the ongoing legal battle, with Perry seeking to prevent the communications from being circulated publicly.
The court must now consider whether the material should remain confidential or be made available outside the legal proceedings.
For now, Perry continues to deny Rodriguez’s allegations, while the actor is pursuing his claims through the civil lawsuit.
The case remains unresolved, and the allegations have not been established in court.
