Fame Under Fire: Tyler Perry to Fight New Sexual Assault Allegations

Host: Amber Haag
Guest: Terry Austin, Attorney & Legal Analyst
Date: January 29, 2026

Episode Overview

Amber Haag examines recent sexual assault allegations against Hollywood power player Tyler Perry, who now faces two separate civil lawsuits from former employees. With attorney Terry Austin, Amber dives into court filings, text message evidence, and the media spectacle surrounding these cases. They break down the accusations, Perry’s response, the potential legal strategies on both sides, and why the public’s fascination with such scandals is both understandable and fraught in today’s digital landscape.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

Tyler Perry’s Place in Celebrity Culture

• [02:50] – [03:36]
  • Terry Austin: Tyler Perry is not just a Hollywood celebrity, but a major studio owner and influential filmmaker, “probably next to Oprah, one of the most popular people in the United States as far as entertainers are concerned.”
  • His wealth, power, and connections (including generosity to Prince Harry and Meghan) deepen the public’s interest and shape the stakes of the lawsuit.

The Derek Dixon Lawsuit

• [04:05] – [11:06]
  • Allegations:
    • Quid pro quo sexual harassment, hostile workplace, sexual battery & assault, gender violence, emotional distress, and retaliation.
    • Lawsuit is 46 pages, seeking $260 million in damages.
  • Details:
    • Dixon and Perry met in Atlanta Studios.
    • Dixon claims Perry's alleged advances began after he was cast as “Dale” in The Oval (appeared in ~25 episodes since 2019).
    • Dixon alleges his character’s fate (shot four times) was used as leverage for sexual compliance.
    • One notable incident involves Dixon being invited to Perry's home, where unwanted touching allegedly occurred.
  • Text Message Evidence:
    • Texts reportedly show Perry making advances; Dixon responds politely, which he later explains as “trying to keep my job.”
    • “There’s a text that says, listen, Dixon, you're going to have to learn how to say no, a little harsher.” — Terry Austin [07:39]
    • Perry’s camp: All claims are fabrications and “cash grabs.”
  • Hostile Work Environment:
    • “Once you cross that line...even if it’s just verbal, it doesn’t have to be physical, then you’ve created a hostile environment.” — Terry Austin [05:15]

The Mario Rodriguez Lawsuit

• [11:06] – [13:38]
  • Allegations:
    • Filed on Christmas Day (noted as a strategic timing), similar to Dixon’s but with fewer details (23 pages).
    • Claims sexual assault, sexual battery, and emotional distress, but not quid pro quo.
    • Rodriguez’s role with Perry was limited—one small role in “Boo! Madea Halloween.”
  • Text Message Evidence:
    • Rodriguez is the one reaching out to Perry, expressing gratitude and sharing financial struggles.
    • Perry’s legal team again claims this is a fabricated lawsuit for money—Rodriguez seeks $77 million (seen as an unusual number).

Interpreting the Evidence & Legal Hurdles

• [13:38] – [14:57]
  • Friendly or grateful text messages after an alleged incident can create doubt:
    • “It does not help the case that [Rodriguez] has these text messages long after the fact where he's reaching out to Tyler Perry. ...The jury is going to say, this is kind of hard to believe that you never said anything about the harassment earlier.” — Terry Austin [14:00]
  • Claims of intentional infliction of emotional distress require proof of severe emotional agony, documented with medical evidence, not just distress from a confrontation.

Both Sides' Legal Strategies

• [15:51] – [18:24]
  • Perry’s defense: deny all allegations, argue no inappropriate advances, explain “damning” text messages as innocent or misunderstood.
  • Perry’s high-profile lawyer Alex Spiro brands both lawsuits and the attorney behind them “money grabs” from a “losing” lawyer. Despite the bravado, Terry Austin notes that both cases remain active.

Legal Analyst & Lawyer Statements

• [16:25] – [18:24]
  • Perry's legal team: “These are losing cases...this is just a money grab.” — Statement about attorney Jonathan Delshat [16:25]
  • Delshat (for the plaintiffs): “We believe the text messages explain the story. Perry's legal team has not denied any... They are trying to position Dixon's case to be dismissed based on procedural issues because they are concerned about the substance... We have a feeling there might be significant other lawsuits that will follow.” [17:25]

Likelihood of Testimonies and Trial Strategy

• [19:14] – [20:30]
  • Can Dixon and Rodriguez be corroborating witnesses for one another? Legally, they could, but only if they witnessed each other’s alleged incidents. Otherwise, their testimony will likely focus on their own separate experiences.

Case Strength and Public Scrutiny

• [20:30] – [21:01]
  • Terry Austin: Believes the Dixon case is stronger—more substance, longer working relationship, more evidence. Still, Tyler Perry “should take both of them very seriously.”
• Recognition that legal battles extend beyond court, shaping discourse on social media, headlines, and broader conversations about power and accountability in celebrity culture.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “He’s probably next to Oprah, one of the most popular people in the United States as far as entertainers are concerned.”
  — Terry Austin [03:06]

• “Once you cross that line...even if it’s just verbal...you have this sort of quid pro quo sexual harassment.”
  — Terry Austin [05:15]

• “There’s a text that says, listen, Dixon, you’re going to have to learn how to say no, a little harsher... Tyler Perry is trying to defend himself and basically say he thought that Dixon wanted these advancements.”
  — Terry Austin [07:39]

• “It does not help the case that [Rodriguez] has these text messages long after the fact where he's reaching out to Tyler Perry. ...The jury is going to say, this is kind of hard to believe...”
  — Terry Austin [14:00]

• “He’s looking for plaintiffs...If anything else comes up, they’re all going to be losing cases, and this is just a money grab...But technically, the Derek Dixon case is alive and thriving in Georgia, and the Mario Rodriguez case is now in California."
  — Terry Austin, reflecting on comments from Alex Spiro [16:25]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [02:50] Tyler Perry’s status and relevance in entertainment
• [04:05] Overview and breakdown of Derek Dixon’s claims
• [07:39] Specifics of the home incident and text message evidence
• [11:06] Introduction of the Mario Rodriguez lawsuit
• [13:38] Impact of friendly texts on abuse allegations
• [15:11] Meaning of “intentional infliction of emotional distress” in court
• [16:25] Perry’s lawyer responds to the lawsuits
• [17:25] Plaintiff’s attorney comments on the evidence
• [18:24] Defense strategy and case comparisons
• [19:14] Whether Dixon and Rodriguez could support each other’s cases
• [20:30] Relative strength of each lawsuit

Conclusion

Amber wraps up by reiterating that Tyler Perry’s lawyers deny all allegations and label the lawsuits as “cash grabs.” The episode closes with a reminder that such legal sagas play out not just in courtrooms but in headlines and public opinion, especially in the social media age.

For more on this story and other headline-dominating legal battles in celebrity culture, subscribe and follow 'Fame Under Fire' from BBC Sounds.