New Tyler Perry's Sexual Assault Accuser Responds to New Texts Surfacing: 'Survivors Often Stay Cordial'

By Rob Redding

Editor & Publisher

NEW YORK, Dec. 30, 2025, 9 a.m. — Mario Rodriguez, who filed a $77 million lawsuit against Tyler Perry on Dec. 25, alleging sexual assault and battery, has spoken out after new text messages between him and Perry emerged.

Rodriguez, a model with a minor role in Perry's 2016 film Boo! A Madea Halloween, addressed the messages showing him being polite and grateful to Perry, arguing that such interactions don’t negate the abuse he claims to have endured.

"In many cases, survivors stay cordial because they feel powerless," Rodriguez said in a statement. "Financial support and access are often part of the complex power dynamics following abuse."

He also pointed out that the messages, sent during a vulnerable period, highlight how abuse can coexist with continued contact. “That doesn’t mean abuse didn’t happen,” Rodriguez emphasized.

Perry’s legal team dismissed the lawsuit as "a money grab," with his attorney Alex Spiro calling it “nothing but a scam.” Meanwhile, Rodriguez’s attorney, Jonathan J. Delshad, defended the case, stating the claims are still very much alive and moving forward.

The resurfaced texts also suggest ongoing communication between the two, including gratitude and expressions of support during difficult times. Perry responded to Rodriguez’s messages in November 2024, emphasizing that he is glad Rodriguez is doing well and that there’s no obligation to pay him.

This case continues to unfold amid intense public scrutiny, with discussions surrounding how survivors navigate complex relationships and the power imbalances involved.

Rob Redding is the author of the forthcoming book Black Power in the Age of Artificial Supremacy Featuring Redding-Shim Kwet Yung out on Jan. 5, 2026. He is the bestselling author of 17 books. He is the host of Redding News Review Unrestricted and creator of ReddingNewsReview.com. He is also an emerging visual artist who lives and teaches at two colleges in New York City.