By Chalien Dantes

Tyler Perry is facing fresh sexual assault allegations.

Model Mario Rodriguez filed a lawsuit Thursday, claiming the filmmaker made repeated unwanted sexual advances over several years after Rodriguez appeared in the 2016 film Boo! A Madea Halloween. The lawsuit seeks $77 million in damages.

According to the filing, Perry first reached out to Rodriguez in 2014 through a trainer at a Los Angeles gym, asking for his phone number to discuss an acting opportunity. Rodriguez later auditioned for Boo! A Madea Halloween, and was cast, but he alleges that Perry invited him to his home and touched him inappropriately while watching a movie.

The complaint details further alleged incidents in 2016, 2018, and 2019, including attempts to unbuckle Rodriguez’s pants and allegedly forcing Rodriguez’s hand onto him. The lawsuit also claims Perry gave Rodriguez $5,000 on multiple occasions after these encounters.

Perry’s lawyers have denied the allegations, calling them “a $77 million money grab”.

This is not the first time Perry has faced such claims. In June, actor Derek Dixon sued him for $260 million, accusing Perry of creating a coercive, sexually exploitative environment while filming The Oval and Ruthless. Dixon alleges that Perry promised career opportunities but retaliated professionally and sexually assaulted him when Dixon did not comply with his advances.

According to the complaint, Perry threatened Dixon’s character on The Oval, implying that he would be killed off unless Dixon engaged with Perry’s unwanted sexual behaviour. Dixon alleges he was groped and assaulted again in 2021.

Perry has denied all allegations.