Tyler Perry is asking a judge to keep his private text messages out of public view as he battles a $77 million sexual assault lawsuit filed by actor Mario Rodriguez.
The filmmaker recently filed court documents asking the court to prevent Rodriguez from disclosing personal conversations Perry exchanged with associates, per TMZ.
Perry, 57, says he provided the messages as part of the ongoing litigation but expected them to remain confidential under an earlier agreement between the parties.
Perry argues that some exchanges involve financial matters, while others include people with no connection to the allegations. He maintains that making the conversations public could unnecessarily embarrass those involved.
Tyler Perry denies the $77 million sexual assault lawsuit, calling it a money grab and accusing Rodriguez of exploiting his generosity. Law&Crime’s Jesse Weber @jessecordweber analyzes all the legal and factual claims from Perry’s defense team. https://t.co/sXaKauYknI
— Law&Crime Network (@LawCrimeNetwork) March 5, 2026
The latest dispute comes as Perry continues fighting accusations brought by Rodriguez, who claims the two met at a gym in 2015 before he landed a role in Boo! A Madea Halloween.
Rodriguez alleges that during a 2018 visit to Perry’s home, the entertainment mogul asked him a sexually explicit question before grabbing his genitals. He claims Perry subsequently apologized and gave him $5,000.
The actor also alleges another unwanted sexual encounter occurred during a separate visit, followed by an additional $5,000 payment.
Perry and his company have denied wrongdoing, saying Rodriguez kept communicating with him after the alleged incidents and became hostile when financial assistance stopped.