Tyler Perry Gets $77M Sexual Assault Lawsuit Under the Tree

Summary

Podcast Summary:

Amy Robach & T.J. Holmes Present
Episode: Tyler Perry Gets $77M Sexual Assault Lawsuit Under the Tree
Date: December 27, 2025
Host: iHeartPodcasts

---

Episode Overview

In this episode, Amy Robach and T.J. Holmes discuss the explosive news that filmmaker and mogul Tyler Perry was served a $77 million sexual assault lawsuit on Christmas Day. The hosts break down the claims, the individuals involved, the legal context, and the broader implications of high-profile civil sexual assault cases—particularly those hitting public figures with enormous reputations. The conversation is candid, sometimes skeptical, and reflects both their professional experience and personal interactions with Perry.

---

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Timing and Intentionality of Filing (02:53 – 03:31)

• The lawsuit was officially filed on Christmas Day, which both hosts found calculated and provocative.
• Amy Robach: “Who is thinking about filing a lawsuit on Christmas Day? You're doing it, I think, to say F you. I think to say, hey, merry effing Christmas.” (03:04)

2. Details of the Lawsuit and Plaintiff (03:57 – 06:46)

• Plaintiff: Mario Rodriguez, a lesser-known actor whose only significant credit is “frat guy number 10” in Tyler Perry’s Boo! A Madea Halloween.

• Both Rodriguez and Derek Dixon (another accuser and actor) filed as named plaintiffs, not as “John Doe,” which the hosts note gives a different weight to the accusations.

• T.J. Holmes: “Even though robes, most people have no idea who he is… I immediately said he was frat guy number 10 in boo a Madea Halloween.” (05:43)

• Rodriguez’s claim centers around an alleged 2018 incident where Perry sexually assaulted him and offered $5,000 afterward.

• Amy Robach: “There was an incident where he grabbed his penis… he had to struggle to get away and that Tyler Perry offered him $5,000 and immediately apologized.” (07:33)

3. Credibility, Patterns, and Lawyer’s Role (08:27 – 09:59)

• The same lawyer, Jonathan Dell Shad, represents both Rodriguez and Dixon, which raises questions for the hosts about potential patterns, motivation, and credibility.

• Rodriguez reportedly decided to file after hearing about the Dixon case—a move he says was motivated by seeing a possible pattern of abuse.

• The lawsuit requests $77M for PTSD, emotional distress, and economic injuries. Lionsgate (the film studio) is also named as a defendant.

4. Oddities in the Filing (11:03 – 12:16)

• Lawsuit contained notable errors like misspelling “Lionsgate” as “Lions Gate,” which led the hosts to speculate about whether the document was AI-generated.
• Amy Robach: “For the Lionsgate movie company to be misspelled…I would think maybe they just aied this, which is also bizarre.” (11:40)

5. Legal Complexity and Jurisdiction Issues (12:33 – 13:32)

• Previous similar lawsuits (e.g., by Derek Dixon) are still ongoing but have been complicated by jurisdictional changes (e.g., moving between California and Georgia courts).
• This new lawsuit is also filed in Los Angeles.

6. Challenge of Assessing Credibility in Sexual Assault Cases (14:11 – 16:28)

• The hosts reflect on difficulties with adjudicating old sexual assault claims, the tension between supporting victims and the presumption of innocence, and the damage mere accusations inflict—even with a lack of criminal charges.

• Amy Robach: “You can never reclaim your reputation completely ever again, even if you are completely innocent.” (15:48)

7. Tyler Perry’s Legal Response (23:29 – 25:27)

• Perry is represented by high-profile litigator Alexander Spiro (known for defending Jay Z and Alec Baldwin).

• Perry’s team called the suit a “failed money grab,” suggesting cynicism about the motivation for the lawsuits.

• Official Statement (Read by Amy Robach, 25:07):
  “Having recently failed in another matter against Mr. Perry, the very same lawyer has now made yet another demand for [allegations] from more than a decade ago, which will also be a failed money grab, period.”

8. Personal Reflections on Tyler Perry (21:29 – 24:47)

• Both hosts have met and interviewed Tyler Perry numerous times, describing him as “kind, respectful, creative…who wasn’t just there for himself.” (22:25)

• They express their emotional conflict as fans and as people who’ve known Perry personally, feeling “it sucks no matter what” for everyone involved.

• Amy Robach: “It's awful to think that a, like you said, some of this might be true, but man, it's even worse to think it might not be.” (23:07)

9. Ethics of Defending and Not Settling (26:16 – 26:48)

• The hosts note Perry’s apparent commitment to fighting the case and defending his name, rather than quietly settling.

• Amy Robach: “There is something to defending your honor and defending your reputation. And that is exactly what Tyler Perry is doing right now.” (26:46)

---

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On the calculated timing:

  • "Who is thinking about filing a lawsuit on Christmas Day…you’re doing it to say F you." – Amy Robach (03:04)

• On the impact of accusations:

  • "You can never reclaim your reputation completely ever again, even if you are completely innocent." – Amy Robach (15:48)

• On legal defense strategies:

  • “Having recently failed in another matter against Mr. Perry, the very same lawyer has now made yet another demand…which will also be a failed money grab, period.” – Statement from Perry’s legal team, read by Amy Robach (25:07)

• Personal feelings:

  • "All we have is our experience with this guy...it just sucks to be here." – T.J. Holmes (23:09)

---

Key Segment Timestamps

• Introduction of Lawsuit & Timing: 02:53–03:31
• Accuser Details and Lawsuit Allegations: 03:57–08:04
• Questions About Credibility & Plaintiff’s Attorney: 08:27–09:59
• Errors in the Legal Filing: 11:03–12:16
• Jurisdiction and Previous Lawsuit Status: 12:58–13:32
• Complexity of Sexual Assault Civil Cases: 14:11–16:28
• Personal Reflections on Tyler Perry: 21:29–24:47
• Tyler Perry’s Lawyer and Official Response: 23:29–25:27
• Ethical Discussion On Not Settling: 26:16–26:48

---

Tone & Language

• Conversational and candid, frequently punctuated with incredulity, skepticism, and concern for justice.
• Emotionally invested, with the hosts reflecting their personal experiences and ethical dilemmas about believing accusers versus supporting a public figure they know.
• Clear distinction maintained between reporting facts, legal positions, and the hosts’ personal perspectives.

---

In Summary:
This episode provides a nuanced, sometimes skeptical, and highly personal look at the $77 million lawsuit filed against Tyler Perry, delving into the legal, emotional, and reputational ramifications for all parties. Listeners get a sense not only of the case but of the broader challenges high-profile sexual assault allegations bring to the public sphere.

Transcript

[Amy Robach]

This is an iHeart podcast. Guaranteed Human weight loss doesn't have to be complicated. Gimme Care gives you access to physician prescribed GLP1 treatments for just $130 per month. One flat price at all doses.

[T.J. Holmes]

No insurance, no hidden fees, no in person visit. Message your physician anytime from your secure online portal and if eligible, your medication ships in discreet direct to door packaging.

[Amy Robach]

Start your journey at Gime Care. That's G I M M E Care eligibility required.

[T.J. Holmes]

Results vary.

[Amy Robach]

When the holidays start to feel a bit repetitive, reach for Sprite Winter Spice Cranberry and put your twist on tradition. It's a refreshing way to shake things up this sipping season, and only for a limited time. Sprite obey your thirst. A GLP one helped you lose weight, but now you're noticing unwanted facial changes.

[T.J. Holmes]

Yeah, the weight came off, but facial facial volume loss and dull sagging skin are making you look older. That's where the next phase of your weight loss journey comes in.

[Amy Robach]

There's before weight loss, after weight loss, and then the after after.

[T.J. Holmes]

Yeah. Help restore and refresh your facial skin and reclaim your natural looking youthful glow.

[Amy Robach]

To learn more, visit faceafterweightloss.com that's faceafterweightloss.com hey, audiobook lovers.

[Kal Penn]

I'm Kal Penn.

[T.J. Holmes]

I'm Ed Helms.

[Kal Penn]

Ed and I are inviting you to join the best sounding book club you've ever heard with our new podcast, Earsay, the Audible and iHeart Audiobook Club. Each week we sit down with your favorite iHeart podcast hosts and some very special guests to discuss the latest and greatest audiobooks from audible. Listen to Earsay on America's number one podcast network, iHeart. Follow Earsay and start listening on the free iHeartradio app today. So let me get this straight. Your company has data here, there and everywhere, but your AI can't use the.

[T.J. Holmes]

Data because it's here, there and everywhere? Seems like something's missing. Every business has unique data. IBM helps your AI access your data wherever it lives. To change how you do business, let's create smarter business. IBM. Hey there folks. It is Saturday, December 27, and what the actual hell? Waking up to the news that Tyler Perry was served with a 77 million dollar 70 sexual assault lawsuit on Christmas Day. And with that, welcome to this episode of Amy and TJ Ro. There was something. I don't know. What day. Does it matter? Do you think this was intentional? Why would you file something on Christmas.

[Amy Robach]

Day that seems like it would have had to be intentional? Who is thinking about filing a lawsuit on Christmas Day, you're doing it. I think to say F you. I think to say, hey, merry effing Christmas. And because that's gonna. Obviously that's gonna ruin. I would think maybe I'm taking a license here to assume what Tyler Perry felt when he saw this or actually was aware of it. But, yeah, that would. That would dampen the mood on Christmas Day.

[T.J. Holmes]

So, yeah. And again, I guess they're able to. Cause you can file electronically now, so you can do it anytime you want. So obviously a court wasn't open on Christmas Day, but by all reporting out there, this thing officially got filed on Christmas Day. And what we're talking about now, Robes, is this is now the state second. I guess you could call maybe aspiring or up and coming actor to hit him with a sexual assault lawsuit. This one is graphic as hell and it wants a lot of money.

[Amy Robach]

Yes, this was filed by Mario Rodriguez. So he is putting his name to the lawsuit. That isn't always the case. But both of the accusers now who accuse Tyler Perry of similar wrongdoing, sexual misconduct, they both put their names on the lawsuits. They were not John Doe. This one is Mario Rodriguez, and he is asking for $77 million in damages.

[T.J. Holmes]

Can I. Can I ask you about that point for a second? Because you talk about this oftentimes. It's usually a woman that's come forward and suing. But you always. And I think the debate has been out there, why should someone be allowed to remain anonymous and essentially ruin somebody else's life, reputation and career when we don't know if these allegations are true? You have always said when somebody puts their name on it, it reads a little different.

[Amy Robach]

It does read differently. And I am somebody who is of the belief when it comes to something criminal. So if this Mario Rodriguez wanted to take this to police, I absolutely do think there should be some sort of protection involved because it discourages folks, obviously, from coming forward to say what happened to them. So when it's a criminal procedure, I fully support being anonymous because I think it has to be. I understand how much that is. That's terrible when you're the one being accused. But for the accuser, that does get people to feel safer to come forward. Now, when it comes to a civil lawsuit, when you want money, I fully think you need to put your name on it. Like put your name on it. Because now you're not asking for criminal justice or some sort of authority where you. You're actually trying to stop a criminal act. You. You want money. And I'm not saying that there's anything wrong with that. Obviously, we have a civil court system for a reason, but I do think you need to put your name on that. I do.

[T.J. Holmes]

He absolutely has. And the name is Mario Rodriguez. Even though robes, most people have no idea who he is. Because I was saying to you downstairs, you said, wait, are you serious? We were just talking about it downstairs with Ava and like, what was he in? What does he do? And I immediately said he was frat guy number 10 in boo a Madea Halloween.

[Amy Robach]

So I laughed.

[T.J. Holmes]

You laughed out loud.

[Amy Robach]

I thought you were making just like you're clever like that, coming up with some funny, obscure role that somebody might have in a Tyler Perry movie. And turns out that's exactly what his credits are, frat guy number 10.

[T.J. Holmes]

So we say that to say, not to make light of this guy or make fun, but he was an up and coming actor who got this role in this movie. So what he's alleging in the lawsuit very much has to do with. With that movie because he says he was approached at a gym in 2015 by a Equinox trainer saying, hey, Tyler Perry wants to meet you, wants to talk to you, wants to offer you a role. That's. He says that happened. That's.

[Amy Robach]

Yes.

[T.J. Holmes]

Bizarre.

[Amy Robach]

Yes. That seems a little strange that somehow Tyler Perry would use an Equinox trainer as his. Yeah, I don't know. I was gonna say madam, but his pimp. His. I don't know his.

[T.J. Holmes]

How.

[Amy Robach]

Why?

[T.J. Holmes]

Casting director.

[Amy Robach]

Okay.

[T.J. Holmes]

Why do I need a guy at the gym?

[Amy Robach]

That seems so strange.

[T.J. Holmes]

It seems odd. So again, that's just what he's claiming. He does say that after that interaction with the trainer, he was able to get on the phone with Tyler Perry, who ended up letting him audition for. And he got this role of frat guy number 10 in the movie. And now at this point, things started happening. Robes. And he described several incidents in which he was with Tyler Perry at certain moments. And he described. And this thing is pretty graphic at times of what he claims Tyler Perry did.

[Amy Robach]

Yes. He Sundays specifically in 2018, there was an incident where he grabbed his penis. I guess, for lack of a better way to say it, he said he had to struggle to get away and that Tyler Perry offered him $5,000 and immediately. And apologized, like, dude, I'm sorry. And he invited him with the promise of more movie roles. So he. He went. He said he went to go see Tyler Perry thinking he was going to get more roles and advance his career, and instead he received a very unwanted advance.

[T.J. Holmes]

Okay. Okay, that's awful. If this happened the way he's describing. That's awful. That shouldn't happen to anybody. Man, woman, doesn't matter. The $5,000. The claim is that he. He actually got an Uber. He was about to take an Uber. Oh, you. So you know what I'm talking about and that it wasn't even an offer. Like, you just shoved it in his pants.

[Amy Robach]

Yes. Here you go. $5,000.

[T.J. Holmes]

Again, this is just the claim now. Couple of issues with this Robes. I'm curious of what you think about it. Is that it's coming from what some would say might not be the best source of a lawsuit. Not because of the accuser, but because of the accuser's lawyer, who you might not know his name either, but Jonathan Dell Shad. But he also. Now Robes represents Derek Dixon, the other actor who sued Tyler Perry earlier this year for sexual assault for $260 million. In that. We'll get into some of those details, but wow. Here. Here we go again. You're trying another one is what the suggestion is. The same lawyer is. Well, we got nowhere with that one so far, so let's try another one. It's the claim.

[Amy Robach]

Yes. And Rodriguez, apparently, he claims that he decided to take action and apparently even maybe perhaps use this same lawyer when he heard the news of Dixon's case. I don't know why, because that was in June. So I don't know why he waited until Christmas Day to file his civil lawsuit. Maybe he was getting his ducks in a row. I'm not sure. But he says that this is weird, that he decided to go forward with this, with his claims after a Sean Diddy Combs referencing friend texted him with news about Dixon's case. It's just. I don't know. He's saying that he felt like, wow, I'm not the only one. Tyler Perry has done this before. There is a pattern of abuse, and I need to speak up and step up and file this lawsuit to protect other people. But he wants $77 million.

[T.J. Holmes]

Again, that could. That first part of the claim, you could see, that could make sense to a jury, quite frankly. Why? And the motivation for stepping forward the numbers, I don't know. But the lawyer says it this way. We hope a jury awards enough money to make Perry regret his actions. Is that why you put those numbers on it? Is that why you have the number that high? But he's claiming what, emotional distress. He's claiming. What do you have?

[Amy Robach]

Yeah, he has. Actually, I have exactly what it was because he Said he has ptsd. He said he has emotional distress and just. Okay, psychological, emotional and economic injuries from Tyler Perry's alleged actions against him. So that's what he's claiming.

[T.J. Holmes]

Okay. He's talking about that 77 million. Lionsgate, the studio that puts out Tyler Perry's Medea movies, have they have mentioned and named them in this lawsuit as well, claiming that they should have known this was happening and claims they are kind of a blind eye to their morality clause because this guy's a big deal and he's Tyler Perry.

[Amy Robach]

That's exactly. They say Lionsgate. Although it's been noted. They. They didn't. They didn't print out in this lawsuit. Lions. Lionsgate is one word. You know, that we've seen that obviously, the emblem everywhere.

[T.J. Holmes]

Anybody seen a movie in the past 20 years knows how to spell lions.

[Amy Robach]

Lionsgate. It's so odd that it was spelled lions with a capital L, space, capital G, gate. So it's weird. They misspelled the name of the prominent movie production company that they're suing. So that was just a little strange. But Lionsgate, they say, should have known. Yes.

[T.J. Holmes]

I thought it was maybe just an oversight. You had the better. Wait, maybe that makes sense.

[Amy Robach]

What if they like, aied this or. Yes, didn't actually. I feel like we have seen judges chastise attorneys these days because she was like, I can tell you aied this file. And so for the Lionsgate movie company to be misspelled or. Or spelled not in a way that it is supposed to be, I would think maybe they just aied this, which is also bizarre. This is kind of a big deal. A big name, huge allegation and a massive lawsuit. So why wouldn't you check?

[T.J. Holmes]

You need to be perfect in your facts, in your details, in your words. You to that. Okay. I don't know if we should make that much of. But it seems like a judge and we have seen that robes like this big of a deal. You couldn't take it serious. You didn't spell check your damn thing. It's odd.

[Amy Robach]

Can you.

[T.J. Holmes]

Can an intern. Can somebody have made that mistake? I don't know. I don't even know if it should be a big deal. But it was something bizarre that some outlets have pointed out. We talked about this. The second lawsuit, the second actor, the first one was Derek Dixon. Again, his report, he wanted 260 million. And he had. I mean, he had a lot of details in his. He had all. I mean, think like some text exchanges and whatnot. But that case is Ongoing, Yes.

[Amy Robach]

And it was filed, as we mentioned, in June. It's been moved to federal court now. So it's a little confusing, the path it's taking. But it's. It's not gone. It's still there. And they're trying to move it forward. So now, obviously, the second lawsuit Perry's gonna have to deal with, where was this filed? In the state of Georgia.

[T.J. Holmes]

No, this one's LA as well.

[Amy Robach]

This is LA as well.

[T.J. Holmes]

So the first one. Yes. Derek Dixon. Let's go straight here. Derek Dixon's case filed in la. Something about he didn't live there. So they need to put another jurisdiction.

[Amy Robach]

Federal court in Georgia.

[T.J. Holmes]

And now they move to Georgia, where Tyler Perry resides. So this other guy, the new allegation is in LA as well. So we shall see. But robes, that case of, of Derek Dixon, this was one where Tyler Perry said that this was a scam.

[Amy Robach]

Yes.

[T.J. Holmes]

Like this guy was actually had done the work to get close to him. Now, they didn't give a lot of details, but that seems like there was some kind of. I'm not suggesting romantic relationship, but this was somebody that was in his circle to a certain degree. I didn't watch the show the Oval.

[Amy Robach]

I didn't either.

[T.J. Holmes]

But he star. He was a starring role, not like frat guy number 10. But this was. He had a starring role in that.

[Amy Robach]

Look, it's. These are. These types of cases are so difficult. You and I were talking about this before we came on and just like, what, what. Who should you believe? What can be believed? It's really. These are incredibly difficult cases, and I understand why at the time. Many people who are actual victims of sexual assault don't go to police. There are a lot of reasons why, especially when you have somebody who is prominent and in a position of power and you have a career you're trying to build. You don't want to ruffle feathers. You don't want to be the person who's calling out a huge, powerful person. So I understand why people might wait and are afraid to say something or speak up or speak out. But it's tough when 10 years have gone by and now you're asking for gobsmacks of money. People start to question the validity of these stories or whether or not they're. They happen the way they said that they happened. Do you remember them? Do you just remember how you felt? And then you add like 10 years. Can you remember in detail things that happened 10 years ago?

[T.J. Holmes]

It's just, what will the answer be? To advocates for Sexual assault victims.

[Amy Robach]

Yes.

[T.J. Holmes]

Right. Some of that stuff burns in your memory. Some of that stuff. Did you document it though? Is something the other side will say.

[Amy Robach]

But these are tough cases.

[T.J. Holmes]

They are robes. What do you do? Because we used to somebody. You have to flat out, first thing, 100% believe the accuser is what we have been trained to, because so many before have not been believed. So how do you do that? Should we treat it like anything else? He is innocent until proven guilty.

[Amy Robach]

Yes, I think so. You have to.

[T.J. Holmes]

But look what happens if he is not guilty on something like this. It's, it's, it's terrible.

[Amy Robach]

Once you have an accusation like this with someone who put their name to it and he does have text messages, he does have some things that he has provided in this filing. But you can never reclaim your reputation completely ever again, even if you are completely innocent. And maybe he does have relationships outside of his marriage. A lot of people do. Okay. What is the line between inappropriate and criminal and abusive? It's so. The air, it's so gray. And what he may have thought was inappropriate, someone else might have thought is perfectly fine. And that's how you solicit. Having affairs or relationships on the down low or on the side. I don't know how things work.

[T.J. Holmes]

We make clear. Nobody's making that suggestion. Absolutely. We need to make clear.

[Amy Robach]

Absolutely not.

[T.J. Holmes]

We are not. And nobody else necessarily is. But folks are just trying to piece together what this is and what it means and scenarios in which two people could see things very differently and it might not. Or it might raise to the level of criminality. I don't know. But this isn't a criminal case. It's a civil case.

[Amy Robach]

It's a civil case.

[T.J. Holmes]

It's a civil case. Well, stay with us here folks. When we come back, we'll tell you what Tyler Perry's lawyer said. But first we'll tell you who he is. And it's clear Tyler Perry is not messing around in this case. Also, Robes and I will give you kind of our personal feelings about a guy we have been around, spend time with and are fans of. Stay here.

[Amy Robach]

Weight loss doesn't have to be complicated. Gimme.care gives you access to physician prescribed GLP1 treatments for just $130 per month. One flat price at all doses.

[T.J. Holmes]

No insurance, no hidden fees, no in person visit. Message your physician anytime from your secure online portal and if eligible to your medication ships in discreet direct to door packaging.

[Amy Robach]

Start your journey at Gime Care. That's G I M M E Care.

[T.J. Holmes]

Eligibility required results vary.

[Amy Robach]

Okay, only 10 more presents to wrap. You're almost at the finish line, but. There the last one. Enjoy a Coca Cola for a pause that refreshes. 10 athletes will face the toughest job interview in fitness that will push past physical and mental breaking points. You are the fittest of the fitness. Only one of you will leave here with an IFIT contract for $250,000. This is when mindset comes in. Someone will be eliminated. Pressure is coming down.

[Kal Penn]

Trainer Games on Prime Video January 8th watch the trailer on trainer games.com you know what separates the pros from the rest? It's not just talent. It's how you respond when the game gets tough. Do you dig in? You fight back. And when it comes to your health, that same mindset matters. Yeah, especially if you or someone you care about is facing metastatic prostate cancer. There's a treatment called pluvicto lutetium LU177 vapivotide tetraxitan and it's changing the game. Plavicto isn't chemo. It's a different kind of treatment that targets PSMA positive cells, including prostate cancer cells. Plavicto can be used before chemotherapy for some people. Here's the official word. Pluvicto is a prescription treatment used to treat adults with prostate specific membrane antigen positive metastatic castration resistant prostate cancer or PSMA positive MCRPC who have already been treated with hormone therapy and are considered appropriate to delay chemotherapy. Now let's talk safety. Pluvicto involves contact with radioactivity, which may increase the risk for cancer and and cause fetal harm. Drink plenty of fluids, urinate often, use contraception and talk to your doctor about how to reduce the risk of exposing others to radiation during and after treatment. It can also cause low blood cell counts, kidney problems and infertility. Tell your doctor if you notice weakness, pale skin, shortness of breath, bleeding or bruising more easily an infection or changes in urination. Side effects include decreased blood cell counts, tiredness, dry mouth, nausea, appetite loss, joint or back pain and constipation. Look, every day matters. And if you're in the fight or know someone who is, this is a conversation worth having.

[T.J. Holmes]

Ask your doctor about Plavicto because just.

[Kal Penn]

Like in football, every play, every decision, every second counts. Visit pluvicto.com to learn more. That's P L U V I c t o.com did you know Microsoft has officially ended Support for Windows 10? Upgrade to Windows 11 with an LG Gram laptop Voted PCMag's Reader's Choice top laptop brand for 2025. Thin and ultra lightweight. The LG Gram keeps you productive anywhere. And Windows 11 gives you access to free security updates and ongoing feature upgrades. Visit LGUSA.com iHeart for great seasonal savings on LG Gram laptops with Windows 11 PC Mag Reader's Choice used with permission. All rights reserved.

[T.J. Holmes]

All right, we continue here on Amy and TJ and robes. I have to look Tyler Perry. I I'm not a Madea Movie fan. I mean, I don't think that's my lane necessarily, and that's fine. But I am an enormous fan of Tyler Perry for what he has been built, what he has done, people he has employed, careers he has launched. There are so many people owe so much to this guy. And when you see down the Atlanta era, that area, he built a whole movie studio. This guy pulled himself up and is another great black American entrepreneur story. And so the idea of this stings to think this guy, in both cases, one might be guilty of something and two might not. It sucks either way.

[Amy Robach]

Yeah. And that's such a good way to put it. He was, while we were at Good Morning America, he was almost, I don't want to say a fixture, but he was a friend of the show. He was on a lot. We saw him, met with him, interacted with him, interviewed him multiple times. He had even reached out to me when I did a story, actually, it was the Uvalde shooting and found a way to get a message to me. I just saw him to be an incredibly kind, respectful, creative person who was, who, who wasn't just there for himself. I saw him reach out and do good. And it's just awful to think that a, like you said, some of this might be true, but man, it's even worse to think it might not be.

[T.J. Holmes]

The thing is, we don't know.

[Amy Robach]

We don't.

[T.J. Holmes]

All we have is our experience with this guy and everything. There's. Look, we, we don't hang out with him in his house and all this, but it flies in the face and it just, it just sucks to be here. However, he has made clear, not just in the statement his lawyer put out, but just in the lawyer he hired that he ain't. He's about to defend himself.

[Amy Robach]

Yes, he is represented by the Alexander Spiro and we say the Alex Spiro. That name probably sounds familiar to you if you read the news at all because he most recently repped Jay Z and Jay Z, man, when he got his accusation, he came out swinging like I, I Here are the receipts. Here's how I couldn't have done what you just said. I was never in New Jersey on that day. And here's why.

[T.J. Holmes]

Boom.

[Amy Robach]

Alex Spiro was his guy.

[T.J. Holmes]

Dan.

[Amy Robach]

They, they came out swinging. We will not be paying money to people who are trying to cash in on the fear of you messing with my reputation. I stand by who I am. Actually, Jay Z, that was impressive.

[T.J. Holmes]

That one was disgusting. It was an allegation that he raped a 14 year old.

[Amy Robach]

It was horrific.

[T.J. Holmes]

That was God damn. I mean.

[Amy Robach]

But Alex Spiro was his man. And their strategy, it was powerful. And look, you never know what happens. But man, that was. I had to. That was a slow clap. Like he really came out and said, I will be defending myself, period.

[T.J. Holmes]

And defended Alec Baldwin as well. As you notice is there's a lot that's happened in that case and a lot to his reputation. All this. He ain't in jail in that case. He got dealt with.

[Amy Robach]

I mean, a woman died, another man was severely injured on that movie set.

[T.J. Holmes]

Yes, that's who the lawyer is that Tyler Barry is now dealing with. And he said this and he robes is trying to point out that he is going after the credibility of the case in the first place. Like this isn't even worth us spending time on because just look who this guy is. He's saying, look at who this lawyer is. This is just what he does.

[Amy Robach]

That's sad. Yes. So here was their official statement. Having recently failed in another matter against Mr. Perry, the very same lawyer has now made yet another demand for. From more than a decade ago, which will also be a failed money grab, period. Money grab, A mic drop, a money grab.

[T.J. Holmes]

These are, these are awful cases. And somebody with that big of a name, that much success, has that much of an influence. Who knows? I don't know how this is going to go. There's nothing they're saying. Seems to be a suggestion that a case will be settled. The first one, the $260 million one, is continuing to go through the courts. 20, 26. We might have a lot of headlines in court and whatever else having to do with Tyler Perry, I just. It sucks. No matter what. Rhodes. We can. We don't know. But the only person we know in this situation is and had experience with is Tyler Perry. And I hate to hear and see this happening. And if these folks were victimized, they should be taken care of and embraced in every way possible. So like you said, these are difficult cases. What do you do?

[Amy Robach]

It's tough. But I think the important thing is to not rush to judgment and to let the court system play out and hope that, look, we have to lean on that and hope that a judge who has a much better legal mind than either of us looks at the evidence and is able to make the best decision. But I do appreciate the fact that he isn't settling. I mean, look, he could have, I don't know, but you could just pay out and have it all go away and be quiet and no one knows and no one hears. There is something to defending your honor and defending your reputation. And that is exactly what Tyler Perry is doing right now.

[T.J. Holmes]

And he put a lot into building it over decades. So just wanted to hop on, give you that update again about a lawsuit filed on Christmas Day against Tyler Perry, whose Medea movies alone have made over half a billion dollars. So folks, we always appreciate you spending some time here with us. On behalf of my dear Amy Robach, I'm T.J. holmes. Weight loss is easy when you have the right prescription. At Gimme Care, you can Access physician prescribed GLP1 treatment for just $130 a month. That's the same price at all doses.

[Amy Robach]

No insurance, no hidden fees, no in person visit. You can message your physician anytime through the online portal. And if you're eligible, your medication ships right to your door in discreet packaging.

[T.J. Holmes]

Get started today. Gimme Care that's G I M M.

[Amy Robach]

E care eligibility required. Results vary.

[T.J. Holmes]

The holidays are already in full swing. The lights are up. You got good people, good food and good vibes. And there to help keep that energy going is Sprite Winter Spice Cranberry with that crisp cranberry flavor with a smooth winter spice twist. It's the drink that livens up game nights, gift exchanges, or just catching up in the kitchen with a burst of holiday flavor. It's a seasonal favorite, but it's only here for a limited time, so grab it while you can. Sprite Winter Spice Cranberry Sprite obey your thirst.

[Amy Robach]

10 athletes will face the toughest job interview in fitness that will push past physical and mental breaking points. You are the fittest of the fit. Only one of you will leave here with an IFIT contract worth $250,000. This is where mindset comes in. Someone will be eliminated. Pressure is coming down. Down.

[Kal Penn]

Trainer Games on Prime Video January 8th. Watch the trailer on trainergames.com did you know? Microsoft has officially ended Support for Windows 10? Upgrade to Windows 11 with an LG Gram laptop. Voted PCMag's Reader's Choice Top Laptop Brand for 2025 Thin and ultra lightweight, the LG Gram keeps you productive anywhere, and Windows 11 gives you access to free security updates and ongoing feature upgrades. Visit lgusa.com iheart for great seasonal savings on LG Gram laptops with Windows 11. PCMag reader's choice used with permission. All rights reserved.

[Amy Robach]

Season 2 of unrivaled basketball is here, and the talent is unreal. The best women's players on the planet are running it back with even bigger moments and bigger stakes. Don't miss as Paige Becker, Snafeeza Collier, Kelsey Plumb, Brianna Stewart and more take the court and redefine the game. This isn't your regular season. This is unrivaled, where the pace is faster, the energy is higher, and every athlete shines. Unrivaled basketball season two, sponsored by Samsung Galaxy, tips off January 5th on TNT, TruTV and HBO Max. This is an iHeart podcast. Guaranteed human.