Tyler Perry, the powerhouse filmmaker behind a billion-dollar entertainment empire, is facing mounting turmoil as new sexual assault allegations reportedly cause Hollywood’s elite to quietly distance themselves. With a second explosive lawsuit filed in just six months, insiders say once-loyal A-list friends are now keeping their distance, threatening to derail Perry’s carefully built legacy.
On Christmas Day, actor Mario Rodriguez filed a $77 million lawsuit accusing Perry of sexual assault and battery. The complaint alleges Perry abused his influence to manipulate and exploit aspiring actors by promising career opportunities in exchange for sexual favors. The filing immediately reignited scrutiny around the filmmaker, who is already battling a separate $260 million lawsuit brought last June by actor Derek Dixon.
Dixon alleges Perry subjected him to ongoing harassment and unwanted sexual advances while he worked on the Perry-produced series The Oval and Ruthless. According to the lawsuit, Dixon says he was punished professionally after rejecting those advances, including having his character written off the show, costing him hundreds of thousands of dollars in lost income and future opportunities.
Perry has strongly denied all allegations. His attorney, Alex Spiro, dismissed Rodriguez’s lawsuit as a blatant attempt at a massive cash grab, while Perry’s legal team maintains that both cases are fabricated. Still, the situation has grown more uncomfortable as both accusers are represented by the same attorney and describe similar patterns of alleged misconduct.
Rodriguez’s complaint offers disturbing detail, claiming he first met Perry in 2015 through a trainer at a high-end Los Angeles gym. According to the lawsuit, Perry suggested he could help Rodriguez break into acting, later casting him in a small role in Boo! A Madea Halloween. The suit alleges that during private meetings at Perry’s home, inappropriate touching escalated into explicit sexual advances.
The filing claims Perry touched Rodriguez’s inner thigh, grabbed his genitals, and attempted to unbuckle his pants while making sexual remarks. Rodriguez also alleges Perry offered money, housing stability, and acting roles in exchange for sexual acts, and claims he received $5,000 payments following several encounters.
Dixon’s lawsuit echoes those claims, alleging Perry fostered a sexually coercive environment by leveraging his power in the industry. When Dixon allegedly pushed back, he claims retaliation followed swiftly, effectively ending his role and damaging his career.
While Perry’s legal team continues to aggressively fight the accusations, industry insiders say the most damaging blow may be happening behind the scenes. High-profile figures long associated with Perry—including Kerry Washington, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, and even Barack and Michelle Obama—have remained noticeably silent.
One Hollywood insider described the shift as dramatic, noting that public support once came quickly, but now there is none. The absence of vocal allies has fueled speculation that the industry is waiting to see how the lawsuits unfold—or quietly preparing to cut ties altogether.
As screenshots of alleged text messages and detailed court filings circulate, Perry now faces not only a drawn-out legal fight but also a reputational crisis that could permanently alter how his influence and past mentorship are viewed within Hollywood.
