If you’ve been scrolling through your feed lately, you’ve probably seen some pretty wild headlines about Tyler Perry. The man is basically a Hollywood institution. He built an entire studio empire from nothing, became a billionaire, and gave us Madea. But right now, the conversation has shifted from his next movie to some very serious legal trouble.
Honestly, it’s a lot to keep track of.
There isn't just one single issue; we are looking at two major, high-stakes lawsuits filed by former collaborators. Both involve allegations of sexual assault and harassment. When you hear the numbers—one suit is asking for $260 million and the other for $77 million—it’s clear this isn't just some small-claims dispute.
So, what is Tyler Perry being sued for exactly? Let’s break down the details of these cases, the specific allegations, and how Perry’s legal team is fighting back.
The Derek Dixon Case: A $260 Million Allegation
The first major blow came in June 2025. An actor named Derek Dixon, who worked on Perry’s BET series The Oval and Ruthless, filed a massive 46-page complaint in Los Angeles.
Dixon’s story starts back in 2019. According to the filing, the two met at a party at Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta. Dixon claims that after they connected, Perry used his "considerable influence" to create a dynamic that was essentially "sexually exploitative."
The details in the complaint are graphic. Dixon alleges that in January 2020, while staying at Perry’s guest house in Georgia after a few drinks, Perry climbed into bed with him and began groping him. Dixon says he jumped out of bed and made it clear he wasn't interested.
Quid Pro Quo and the "Kill Off" Threat
This is where the "business" side of the lawsuit gets really messy. Dixon alleges a pattern of quid pro quo harassment. Basically, the idea that "if you do this for me, I’ll do this for your career."
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The lawsuit claims:
- Perry offered Dixon pay raises and even bought him a new car.
- Perry allegedly dangled the carrot of producing Dixon’s own TV pilot, Losing It.
- Dixon felt that if he didn't "stay on Perry’s good side," his character on The Oval would be killed off.
In fact, Dixon points to the end of the first season of The Oval, where his character, Dale, was shot four times. He says he felt like his job was constantly on the line based on how he responded to Perry’s alleged advances. Perry’s team, however, says this is all a total fabrication.
The Second Lawsuit: Mario Rodriguez and $77 Million
Just when things seemed like they couldn't get more complicated, a second lawsuit dropped in late December 2025. This one was filed by Mario Rodriguez, a model and actor who had a small role (he was "Frat Guy #10") in the 2016 film Boo! A Madea Halloween.
Rodriguez is seeking $77 million. His allegations follow a similar theme: a powerful mogul using his status to make unwanted advances under the guise of mentorship.
Rodriguez claims he was approached at an Equinox gym in 2014 by a trainer who said Perry wanted his number. After getting a small part in the movie, Rodriguez alleges he was invited to Perry's home multiple times between 2016 and 2019. He describes incidents of sexual battery and assault, claiming Perry once told him, "Man, if you would just come, I would take care of you for the rest of your life."
The Complication: Those Thanksgiving Texts
This case got a lot weirder when Perry’s lawyers, specifically Alex Spiro, released screenshots of text messages.
The texts appear to show Rodriguez reaching out to Perry as recently as Thanksgiving 2024 and August 2025. In the messages, Rodriguez allegedly says things like "I love you bro" and "I appreciate you to the moon." He also mentioned being in financial trouble and lacking health insurance.
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Perry's side is using these to say, "Look, if this guy was actually assaulted, why is he sending heart emojis and asking for help years later?"
Rodriguez has a response for that. His legal team argues that trauma is complicated. They say survivors often stay "cordial" with their abusers, especially when that person holds the keys to their career. They're basically saying that being polite to a billionaire who can make or break you isn't proof that the abuse didn't happen.
How Tyler Perry is Defending Himself
Tyler Perry isn't taking this lying down. Not even a little bit.
His legal team, which includes high-powered attorneys like Matthew Boyd and Alex Spiro, has been extremely aggressive in their public statements. They haven't used "lawyer-speak"; they’ve been blunt. They are calling these lawsuits a "shakedown" and a "money grab scam."
Here is the gist of their defense:
- Total Denial: They maintain that none of these sexual encounters ever happened.
- The "Scam" Narrative: They argue that these actors got close to Perry specifically to set up a "shakedown" for money.
- Procedural Moves: Interestingly, the Derek Dixon case was recently moved from California to Georgia. This is a big deal because Georgia law and jury pools might be very different from those in Los Angeles.
- Targeting the Lawyer: Perry’s team pointed out that both men are represented by the same attorney, Jonathan Delshad. They’ve framed this as a coordinated effort by one lawyer to target a billionaire.
Why This Matters for Hollywood
This isn't just about Tyler Perry. It’s about the "Power Dynamic" conversation that has been raging since the MeToo movement started.
Perry is a titan. He owns a 330-acre studio. He writes, directs, and produces almost everything he touches. In that environment, he is the boss. The lawsuits raise the question of whether "consent" can even exist when one person has that much power over another person's livelihood.
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The legal system is going to have to figure out where the line is between "mentorship with boundaries" and "coercive exploitation."
What Happens Next?
If you're looking for a quick resolution, don't hold your breath. These kinds of civil cases can take years to wind through the courts.
Right now, the Derek Dixon case is being litigated in Georgia federal court. The Mario Rodriguez case is still in its early stages in California. We can expect a lot of "discovery," which means both sides will have to turn over emails, more texts, and testify under oath.
Actionable Insights for Following This Case:
- Watch the Jurisdiction: Pay attention to whether the Rodriguez case also gets moved to Georgia. If it does, it suggests Perry's team is successfully moving the "home field advantage" to his base of operations.
- The Lionsgate Factor: Rodriguez also sued Lionsgate, the studio that distributed Boo! A Madea Halloween. If the studio gets dragged into this, they might be forced to reveal if there were ever any internal complaints about Perry’s behavior in the past.
- The EEOC Filings: Both actors mentioned filing complaints with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) before suing. Usually, those filings are private, but if they become public, they could provide a paper trail of when these allegations were first reported.
The bottom line? Tyler Perry’s reputation is currently in a fight for its life. Whether these cases end in a settlement or go to a full jury trial, the "Madea" creator is facing his toughest script yet.
Next Steps to Stay Informed:
To keep up with the latest filings, you can monitor the Georgia Northern District Court records for the Dixon case. For the Rodriguez suit, check the Los Angeles Superior Court portal. As of early 2026, no trial dates have been set, but the "discovery" phase is where the most revealing information usually comes to light.