After Boo! A Madea Halloween actor, Mario Rodriguez, filed a lawsuit against veteran entertainer Tyler Perry in California, and the Associated Press uncovered text exchanges between Perry and Rodriguez. In the messages, Rodriguez can be seen reaching out to the director. The lawsuit stated that Rodriguez had cut off contact with Perry in 2019.
Rodriguez released a statement about these text exchanges.
Mario Rodriguez says ‘survivors often stay cordial’ after texts with Tyler Perry surface
After texts revealed that Mario Rodriguez had reached out to Tyler Perry several times following the period of alleged assaults, the actor released a statement responding to the disclosures.
While the original lawsuit claimed that Rodriguez had cut off contact with Perry in 2019 and that the director continued reaching out afterward, the surfaced texts show that Rodriguez also initiated contact with Perry after the alleged assaults.
Rodriguez allegedly contacted Perry in several messages expressing gratitude, friendship, and financial distress. The texts were reportedly provided to the Associated Press by a source close to the situation.
Rodriguez addressed the messages in a statement shared through his lawyer, Jonathan Delshad.
“When someone has influence over your career, your income, your future, you don’t feel free,” the statement said. “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.”
The statement continued, “Continued financial support and access are not inconsistent with abuse. They are often part of the power dynamics that follow it. In many situations involving exploitation, money can function as a way to manage guilt, avoid conflict, or maintain silence.”
However, Alex Spiro, one of Tyler Perry’s lawyers, disputed the claim. “I said it before and I will say it again,” he said. “This is nothing but a $77 million money grab scam.”
Originally reported by Sourav Chakraborty on ComingSoon.
