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Key Takeaways

• Tyler Perry says he plans to move to Puerto Rico with his 11-year-old son, Aman, in early 2027 as he begins scaling back his workload.
• Perry remains a defendant in two separate civil cases brought by actors Mario Rodriguez Jr. and Derek Dixon, both of which include allegations of sexual misconduct that Perry denies.
• Perry has agreed to an in-person deposition in the Rodriguez case on December 9, while a motion to dismiss remains pending in Dixon’s federal lawsuit.

By Samuel López | USA Herald

Tyler Perry is preparing for a major change in 2027, announcing that he intends to leave his longtime Atlanta base and move to Puerto Rico with his son, Aman.

Speaking Monday on Today with Jenna & Sheinelle, the 57-year-old filmmaker said he is “moving to Puerto Rico at the top of the year” and plans to pull back significantly from his demanding production schedule. Perry attributed the decision to getting older, wanting to slow down and spending more time with his 11-year-old son.

That distinction is important because Perry’s announcement comes while he is defending two substantial civil lawsuits involving allegations of sexual misconduct. Perry did not identify the litigation as a reason for relocating, and there is presently no established evidentiary basis to connect his Puerto Rico move to either lawsuit.

One case was brought by actor Mario Rodriguez Jr., who appeared in Perry’s 2016 film Boo! A Madea Halloween. Rodriguez filed suit in Los Angeles Superior Court alleging sexual assault, sexual battery and intentional infliction of emotional distress arising from alleged encounters with Perry. The action also includes claims involving Lionsgate. Rodriguez is seeking approximately $77 million. Perry has denied the allegations, with his attorneys characterizing the lawsuit as financially motivated.

The Rodriguez litigation has generated its own courtroom fight over discovery.

Rodriguez sought an order compelling Perry to sit for a deposition after disputes developed over scheduling and the permissible scope of questioning. Perry’s attorneys countered that he had already agreed to be deposed and accused Rodriguez’s side of using the dispute to pressure Perry into a settlement.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Brock T. Hammond ultimately denied Rodriguez’s motion to compel, finding there was no basis for such an order because Perry had already agreed to appear for an in-person deposition on December 9, 2026. A case management conference was also scheduled for October 16.

The second case was filed by actor Derek Dixon, who worked on Perry productions including The Oval. Dixon alleges Perry used his control over employment and entertainment opportunities to create a coercive sexual environment involving unwanted advances, alleged assaults and retaliation.

The litigation has evolved considerably since it was first filed in California in June 2025.

Dixon’s amended federal complaint, now pending in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, asserts six causes of action, including wrongful discharge and retaliation, sexual harassment under California employment law, a sexually hostile work environment under Title VII, intentional infliction of emotional distress, an alleged violation of the federal Trafficking Victims Protection Act and a Georgia RICO claim.

The defendants have moved to dismiss the amended complaint. According to the publicly maintained case timeline, briefing on that motion was completed June 22 and the motion remained before the court as of the latest September update.

Dixon originally sought approximately $260 million in damages. Perry has denied Dixon’s allegations as well.

Neither lawsuit has resulted in a judicial finding that Perry committed sexual assault, harassment or any other alleged misconduct. At this stage, the accusations remain civil allegations being contested through pleadings, motions, discovery and other court proceedings.

The timing nevertheless places Perry at an unusual intersection personally and professionally. He remains one of the entertainment industry’s most prolific filmmakers while simultaneously preparing to reduce his workload, relocate outside the continental United States and defend litigation that could continue well into 2027.

For Perry, however, the explanation he has publicly given for Puerto Rico is considerably simpler.

“It’s time to slow down a bit,” he told Today, saying he wants to enjoy more time with his son and “take it all in.”

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