Tyler Perry’s legal team shared text messages that show his alleged s*xual battery accuser asked Tyler for money before filing his lawsuit.
Aspiring actor Mario Rodriguez, 40, was a bit actor in Tyler Perry’s “Boo! A Madea Halloween” in 2016.
Mario filed a lawsuit against Tyler last week, claiming the famed director made unwanted advances toward him and groped his genitals.
TMZ obtained text messages exchanged between Tyler and Mario.
In one text message, Mario says he hasn’t been feeling well because he needs dental care to treat an apparent infection.
Mario said he knows he promised not to ask Tyler for anything, but he doesn’t have insurance — and his Beverly Hills dentist is in prison. He said he’s worried about getting sepsis and dying like his father.
“feel sick most days,” Mario wrote. “never told anybody this but my mom and everybody is starting to notice my broke a–. Don’t have insurance.”
Other text messages from 2024 – years after the alleged incidents – Mario told Tyler he loved him and he thanked Tyler for everything.
“you got my Mexican a– out of a lot of bad places and I just wanna tell you thank you,” he wrote. “I can’t buy you anything, but I just wanna tell you that your boy right here appreciates you more than anything.”
Mario continued: “straight from the heart bro nothing I wouldn’t do for you man anyways enjoy your time and I hope I see you again soon.”
Tyler responded, “Happy Thanksgiving my friend. Yeap [sic] you’ve been through it. I’m glad you’re doing well. You don’t have to give me a thing or pay me a thing. I’m just glad you’re good.”
Mario replied: “I’m still going through it but you know me man I’m a survivor just like you are and I’m glad that you’re my friend and I love you bro respectfully.”
Mario filed the lawsuit against Tyler last week.
When Tyler found out that Mario planned to file the lawsuit, he texted the aspiring actor, reminding Mario of all he had done to help him and that he felt betrayed.
Mario claims he was first approached in 2014 by a trainer at an Equinox gym, where memberships cost $40,000 annually. The trainer said Tyler wanted Mario’s phone number to talk to him about an acting role.
After Mario was cast in the film, Tyler allegedly invited him to his home where Mario claims he was touched inappropriately. Mario claims he struggled with Tyler to get away and he stated that Tyler told him to “let it happen” and he would be “taken care of.”
The incidents allegedly occurred between 2014 and 2019. In one incident, Mario claims Tyler tried to unbuckle his pants and groped his genitals.
Mario claims Tyler paid him $5,000 on several occasions following the alleged incidents. Despite these incidents, Mario continued to visit Tyler’s home.
Mario discussed his allegations in a viral video that was viewed over 1 million times. He didn’t name Tyler, but some people guessed Tyler’s name in the comments.
“I stayed quiet for much too long,” Mario said in the video. “But I’m speaking up now.
Mario’s lawsuit is the second complaint filed against the filmmaker in 6 months.
Aspiring actor Derek Dixon, who appeared in “The Oval,” filed a similar lawsuit against Tyler in June.
A judge granted Tyler’s motion to move Derek’s lawsuit from California to Georgia where the alleged incidents occurred.
Additionally, a judge ruled that the statute of limitations for Derek to file the lawsuit against Tyler in Georgia had run out.
Tyler’s attorney, Alex Spiro, tells TMZ, “This is nothing but a 77 million dollar money grab scam.”
