Tyler Perry’s Sexual Assault Accuser Responds After New Texts Between the Two Surface: ‘Survivors Often Stay Cordial’

The man who has accused Tyler Perry of sexual assault and sexual battery is addressing newly surfaced text messages the pair allegedly sent each other.

“I want to briefly respond to what’s being said about me right now. People are pointing to messages where I was polite, grateful, or vulnerable — and trying to use that to discredit me,” Mario Rodriguez — who filed a lawsuit against Perry, 56, on Dec. 25, alleging that Perry assaulted him and made unwanted sexual advances while promising him acting roles — said in a statement obtained by PEOPLE on Dec. 29.

“When someone has influence over your career, your income, your future, you don’t feel free. Survivors often stay cordial. They often ask for help when they feel desperate,” Rodriguez continued in his statement.

He further claimed, “That does not mean abuse didn’t happen. Those text messages were sent to Perry at a time when I was especially vulnerable as can be seen from the context. Continued financial support and access are not inconsistent with abuse—they are often part of the power dynamics that follow it.”

Rodriguez — a model who appeared in a minor role in Perry’s 2016 movie Boo! A Madea Halloween — is seeking $77 million in damages. Perry’s attorney Alex Spiro previously told PEOPLE earlier that Rodriguez’s suit is “nothing but a 77 million dollar money grab scam.”

Newly surfaced text messages viewed by PEOPLE appear to show that Rodriguez referred to Perry as a “friend” over Thanksgiving 2024 and spoke about his health and financial issues to him just months ago.

“Just know that I love you and I thank you for everything. I appreciate you to the moon,” read one of Rodriguez’s alleged texts to Perry. “You got my Mexican ass out of a lot of bad places and I just wanna tell you thank you.” Rodriguez allegedly followed up with two more text messages expressing his appreciation for Perry.

“I can’t buy you anything, but I just wanna tell you that your boy right here appreciates you more than anything,” Rodriguez’s alleged text read. “Straight from my heart bro nothing I wouldn’t do for you man anyways enjoy your time and I hope I see you again soon.”

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Rodriguez added in his statement regarding the text messages, “In many situations involving exploitation, money can function as a way to manage guilt, avoid conflict, or maintain silence. The existence of financial assistance does not disprove harm. It is entirely consistent with the complex realities survivors face after abuse.”

Perry appears to have responded to the series of alleged text messages from Rodriguez in November 2024, saying, “Happy Thanksgiving my friend. Yeap 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.”

Rodriguez allegedly 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.”

Rodriguez is being represented by attorney Jonathan J. Delshad, who also represented Derek Dixon, another actor who made similar allegations against Perry in June 2025. Perry has previously denied those claims.

Spiro told PEOPLE in a statement on Dec. 26, the day after Rodriguez’s lawsuit was filed, “Having recently failed in another matter against Mr. Perry, the very same lawyer has now made yet another demand from more than a decade ago which will also be a failed money grab.” However, Delshad said Dixon’s claims “are alive and well, and none of them have failed; they were just moved to a different court,” as the case is being relocated from California to Georgia.

If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, please contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or go to rainn.org.