Tyler Perry is facing a new lawsuit in California from actor and model Mario Rodriguez, who alleges Perry subjected him to unwanted sexual advances and inappropriate touching over a multi-year period.

The lawsuit was first reported by TMZ on December 26, 2025, and seeks at least $77 million in damages for sexual assault, sexual battery, emotional distress, and related claims.

According to reporting from the Associated Press, the complaint alleges that some of the incidents took place at Perry’s Los Angeles home and that Rodriguez met Perry through industry connections tied to acting opportunities.

The suit also names Lionsgate, the distributor of Boo! A Madea Halloween, alleging the company failed to act despite being aware of the situation.

Rodriguez appeared in a small role in the 2016 film Boo! A Madea Halloween, and the filing claims Perry’s alleged behavior was intertwined with promises of access, mentorship, and career advancement.

People and Entertainment Weekly report that the complaint describes multiple alleged incidents and argues that Rodriguez felt pressured due to the power imbalance between an aspiring actor and one of Hollywood’s most influential figures.

Perry’s attorney, Alex Spiro, denied the allegations in a statement quoted by multiple outlets, calling the lawsuit a “money grab” and asserting that the claims are false.

It is important to note that these allegations are part of a civil lawsuit and have not been proven in court.

This new case follows another high-profile lawsuit filed earlier in 2025 by actor Derek Dixon, who accused Perry of sexual harassment, assault, and retaliation related to his work on the TV series The Oval and Ruthless.

Perry has denied those allegations as well, and his legal team has consistently pushed back against both lawsuits.

According to multiple reports, Rodriguez has said he decided to come forward after learning about Dixon’s lawsuit, describing it as a turning point that made him feel less alone.

The situation has reignited broader conversations about power dynamics in Hollywood, accountability, and the risks faced by people who come forward with allegations against powerful figures.

As of publication, Lionsgate has not issued a public statement addressing the claims, and Perry’s legal team maintains that he has done nothing wrong.

If you or someone you know has experienced sexual assault, support is available, and reaching out to a trusted local support service can help.

The finale of Heated Rivalry didn’t explode with drama.

It exhaled.

And somehow, that made it hit even harder.

Episode 6, fittingly titled The Cottage, brought Shane and Ilya’s story to a place that felt both inevitable and deeply earned.

Rather than relying on big twists or last-minute chaos, the finale focused on emotional truth — the kind that sits heavy in your chest and refuses to leave.

Scott Hunter’s speech became the emotional backbone of the episode.

His words about secrecy, fear, and finally choosing honesty mirrored not just Shane and Ilya’s journey, but the lived experience of countless queer viewers.

As fans quickly noticed, the moment echoed what Shane and Ilya had already confessed to each other at the cottage — and what they later begin to share with the people around them.

In post-finale interviews, the creators confirmed that several changes were made from the book to the screen.

The goal wasn’t to simplify the story, but to distill it.

They leaned into stillness, silence, and physical closeness — trusting that a hand brushing another or a pause before a sentence could say more than any dramatic monologue.

That trust paid off.

The finale lands not as a full stop, but as a moment of alignment — two men no longer split between public selves and private truths.

Heated Rivalry ends the season by reminding us that coming out isn’t a single event.

It’s a series of choices.

And sometimes, the bravest one is simply staying.

📷 IG: @ cravecanada