Entertainment
Second actor accuses Tyler Perry of sexual assault in new lawsuit
Tyler Perry was sued for sexual assault by an actor who appeared in “Boo! A Madea Halloween,” marking the second lawsuit in recent months accusing the filmmaker and studio mogul of leveraging his power in Hollywood to make sexual advances.
Mario Rodriguez filed the lawsuit Thursday in California, alleging Perry subjected him to repeated unwanted sexual advances over several years, including sexual battery and assault at Perry’s Los Angeles home. Rodriguez is seeking at least $77 million in damages and also has sued Lionsgate, which distributed the 2016 film, accusing the studio of turning a blind eye to Perry’s alleged misconduct.
“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,” Alex Spiro, an attorney for Perry, said in a statement Friday provided to CBS News.
Lionsgate did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment.
According to the complaint, Rodriguez was approached in 2014 by a trainer at an Equinox gym in Los Angeles who said Perry wanted his phone number to discuss an acting role. Perry later encouraged Rodriguez to audition for “Boo! A Madea Halloween,” telling him, “I’m not a bad person to know and have in your corner,” the lawsuit claims.
After Rodriguez was cast, he was invited to Perry’s home, where Perry allegedly touched him inappropriately while they watched a movie. The lawsuit describes additional alleged incidents in 2016, 2018 and 2019, including one encounter in which Perry allegedly attempted to unbuckle Rodriguez’s pants and another in which Perry placed Rodriguez’s hand on his genitals. The complaint says Perry gave Rodriguez $5,000 on multiple occasions following the encounters.
Rodriguez says he resisted the advances and ultimately decided to file suit after learning of similar allegations made by another actor, Derek Dixon.
Dixon sued Perry in June, alleging the filmmaker groped him while Dixon worked on Perry’s television series “The Oval” and “Ruthless.” That lawsuit, which was originally filed in L.A. Superior Court, has reportedly since been moved to federal court in Georgia, where Perry’s studio is based.
Rodriguez’s lawsuit includes claims of sexual assault, sexual battery and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
- Sanctioned execs, including Anduril founder, banned from entering China.
- Targets include Northrop Grumman, L3Harris, Boeing’s defence branch.
- China calls Taiwan “core interest”; US reaffirms support for its defence.
China’s foreign ministry announced sanctions on Friday targeting 10 individuals and 20 US defence firms, including Boeing’s St Louis branch, over arms sales to Taiwan.
A spokesperson for the US State Department said the United States strongly objected to the Chinese move, which freezes any assets the companies and individuals hold in China and bars domestic organisations and individuals from doing business with them.
Individuals on the Chinese list, including the founder of defence firm Anduril Industries and nine senior executives from the sanctioned firms, are also banned from entering China, it added.
Other companies targeted include Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation and L3Harris Maritime Services, and Boeing’s St Louis branch, which focuses on defence work.
The Chinese action appears largely symbolic, given China’s lack of dealings with US defence firms, whereas it has been a major purchaser of Boeing civilian aircraft.
The move follows Washington’s announcement last week of $11.1 billion in arms sales to Taiwan, the largest ever US weapons package for the island, drawing Beijing’s ire.
“The Taiwan issue is the core of China’s core interests and the first red line that cannot be crossed in China-US relations,” a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said in a statement on Friday.
“Any provocative actions that cross the line on the Taiwan issue will be met with a strong response from China,” the statement said, urging the US to cease “dangerous” efforts to arm the island.
China views democratically-governed Taiwan as part of its own territory, a claim Taipei rejects.
The US is bound by law to provide Taiwan with the means to defend itself, though such arms sales are a persistent source of friction with China.
The State Department spokesperson said this policy had “remained consistent across nine different US administrations and contributes to the maintenance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.”
“We strongly object to Beijing’s efforts to retaliate against US companies for their support of US arms sales that support Taiwan’s self-defence capabilities,” the spokesperson said, while urging Beijing to cease military, diplomatic, and economic pressure against Taiwan and instead engage in meaningful dialogue with Taipei.
Boeing has been in talks to sell Chinese carriers up to 500 civilian jets, according to a report in September, which would represent a breakthrough for the company in the world’s second-largest aviation market, where orders have stalled amid US-China trade tensions.
A Broadway actress who played the role of Young Nala in “The Lion King” a decade ago has been murdered, according to the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office.
Imani Smith, 26, was discovered with multiple stab wounds inside her Edison, New Jersey home on Dec. 21.
She was rushed to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital where she was pronounced dead.
Smith was one of two actresses playing the role of Young Nala on Broadway between 2011 and 2012. Those who worked with her said she had a great voice and brought tremendous energy to the character.
Online tributes to Smith have been appearing, including one on Playbill.com.
Jordan Jackson-Small, 35, of Edison, is facing several charges, including first degree murder and unlawful possession of a weapon. Edison Police said the two knew each other and “it was not a random act of violence.” His initial court appearance was postponed, Smith’s family members said.
Smith’s parents tell CBS News New York Jackson-Small is the father of their daughter’s 3-year-old child.
“Nobody deserves to lose their life in that way, no matter who you are. Especially someone who is so young, has so much promise and has a beautiful little boy. She called, she calls him ‘Bub.’ Amazing parents. And she is unfortunately the second Young Nala we’ve lost, both under very different circumstances,” Jessica Arnold, a child guardian at “The Lion King,” said.
Smith’s mother also worked on “The Lion King” in the hair and wig department, as well as on other Broadway and television shows.
Brooklyn Beckham got into the Christmas spirit by spending time with he famous sportsman and his wife, Nicola Peltz.
It comes after his public fallout with his father, David, and reports that he had blocked his entire family on Instagram.
The update also follows comments from his brother Cruz, who set the record straight amid ongoing speculation that Brooklyn had blocked his whole family on Instagram, including parents David and Victoria, and even his younger sister Harper, 14.
Brooklyn has now shared a sneak peek into his Christmas Day in the US, playing tennis with American professional player Reilly Opelka as well as Nicola’s brother Bradley.
Brooklyn was seen giving it his best shot on the court alongside Reilly in a short clip of the match shared by both on their Instagram Stories.
This comes after Brooklyn declared his wife Nicola his ‘everything’ in loved-up Instagram post on Christmas Day, amid reports that he had blocked his family on the platform.
Brooklyn is also no longer following his mother and father on the picture-based sharing platform.
Meanwhile, Brooklyn’s wife Nicola, 30, does not follow David and Victoria either, and they no longer follow her.
He shared a snap of himself and the heiress, 30, holding hands while celebrating the festive season with her billionaire parents in Miami, Florida.
Critical Illness Claim Rejected? Here’s How You Can Fight Back
India’s Forex Reserves Surge $4.36 Billion To $693 Billion, Gold Holding Rises $2.6 Billion
Minnesota wide receiver makes incredible diving catch to win bowl game
-
Fashion1 week agoIndonesia’s thrift surge fuels waste and textile industry woes
-
Business1 week agoBP names new boss as current CEO leaves after less than two years
-
Tech1 week agoT-Mobile Business Internet and Phone Deals
-
Sports1 week agoPKF summons meeting after Pakistani player represents India in kabaddi tournament
-
Entertainment1 week agoIndia streamlines visa rules in boost for Chinese professionals
-
Sports1 week agoUWCL grades for all 18 teams: Leuven get A+; Barça an A-, PSG fail
-
Sports7 days ago
Alabama turned Oklahoma’s College Football Playoff dream into a nightmare
-
Entertainment1 week agoRadiation fears rise after cracks found in $2 billion Chernobyl shield