The Philly date was already locked in when Meek revealed Dream Chasers Nights: Meek Mill & Friends earlier this month. Now fans outside his hometown get a turn. After Philadelphia, he heads to the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles on November 29, MGM Music Hall at Fenway in Boston on December 5, and CFG Bank Arena in Baltimore on December 11. From there, he stops at Chicago’s Aragon Ballroom on December 18 and closes the run at Atlanta’s Coca-Cola Roxy on December 20. General tickets go on sale Friday (October 30) at 10 AM local time at meekmill.com.

Read more: Meek Mill Announces One-Night-Only Show In Philadelphia: How To Buy Tickets

Meek Mill Dream Chasers Nights Tour Dates & Tickets

Meek pushed the presale on X himself, and he hinted that six cities might not be the full story. “Its some cities im missing but im coming soon!” he wrote. The live dates also cap a busy 2026 for the Dream Chasers boss. He recently dropped “Wanna Be Free” with G Herbo, following earlier releases “600 Racks” and “Nightmares To Dreams.” He also returned to Temple University for the first time in 13 years to host his annual Dream Chasers Summit.

Still, Philadelphia remains the heart of the run. According to the announcement, Meek has headlined similar events in the city several times, and his return carries special weight as a nod to the community that “made him the man he is today.” The new dates give the rest of the country a taste of that hometown energy. And if Meek’s “coming soon” tease holds up, more cities could join the list before the run kicks off next month.

Read more: Wanna Be Free – Song by Meek Mill & G Herbo

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The video speaks to Nicki directly. “Some of us are not speaking out because we hate you,” the creator says. “We’re actually speaking out because we remember you before the political rallies, before Air Force One, before the president was praising your body in front of thousands of people.” He goes on to credit Black women, Black girls, the LGBTQ community, and immigrants with helping carry her to the top. Antney’s own words were brief: she left a quick “Thsnk you” (typo and all) under the reel. Coming from someone so closely tied to Nicki’s story, though, the share said plenty on its own.

Read more: Nicki Minaj Joins Donald Trump In Michigan, Gets Called Out For Her “Beautiful A**” On Stage

Deb Antney Shares Video Questioning Nicki Minaj’s Trump Support

The timing makes sense. On Sunday (October 25), Nicki flew with Trump on Air Force One and joined him onstage at a midterm rally in Port Huron, Michigan. She led the crowd in chants of “We love Trump!” and urged voters to back Republican candidates Mike Rogers and John James. Earlier in his speech, Trump singled her out from the podium. “By the way, I looked at a beautiful a** before,” he said. “Nicki Minaj. That’s hard to miss.” He then asked her to stand up. The moment split fans online, and the reel Antney shared lands right in the middle of that debate. Under the original post, one commenter called it “one of the best sum ups of this situation with Nicki Minaj.”

What makes the repost stand out is the history behind it. Antney has long treated Nicki like family. She once said she turned down a $5 million offer to walk away from the rapper, telling Ray Daniels Presents, “But you can’t pay me enough,” and adding, “that’s my child.” In March, The Jasmine Brand reported, citing sources, that Antney had parted ways with Nicki over political differences. Antney appeared to push back by reposting a message calling the report “false news.” Neither has publicly cleared up where their working relationship stands, and Nicki has yet to respond to the Story share. Still, when someone who once called her “my child” quietly co-signs a message like this, fans are going to read between the lines.

Read more: Deb Antney Recalls $5 Million Offer To Leave Nicki Minaj Behind

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The fascination was understandable. Whitney was one of music’s most celebrated voices, emerging from a highly publicized marriage to Bobby Brown, while Ray J was a younger R&B singer whose personal life regularly made headlines. Their age difference fueled speculation, often overshadowing a connection that stretched back to his childhood. Before the dating rumors and questions about their future, Whitney had already become an important figure in the Norwood family, particularly through her relationship with Ray J’s older sister, Brandy.

Before The Romance Rumors, There Was Brandy

Whitney’s relationship with the Norwood family began with Brandy, who grew up idolizing the singer and eventually developed a close friendship with her. By the time they starred together in ABC’s 1997 adaptation of Cinderella, Brandy was already a successful recording artist with her own television series, Moesha. Whitney, who also served as an executive producer, had originally planned to play Cinderella herself before deciding to take the role of Fairy Godmother and personally selecting Brandy for the lead.

“Brandy was definitely handpicked by me,” Whitney recalled in a behind-the-scenes interview. Their on-screen relationship reflected the mentorship that developed off-camera, with Brandy often crediting Whitney with helping her find confidence in her abilities.

Ray J met Whitney through that family connection. In that 2008 interview with Essence, he estimated that he was 11 or 12 when they first met and spoke about the influence she’d had on his sister’s career. “If it wasn’t for Whitney, my sister probably wouldn’t even be in the game,” he said, adding that Brandy spent years studying her idol’s performances before working alongside her.

A Romance That Nobody Wanted To Confirm

Photographs of Whitney Houston and Ray J holding hands at a pre-NBA All-Star party in Las Vegas in February 2007 gave gossip outlets plenty to talk about. The two had reportedly been spotted having dinner in Los Angeles, but their appearance together fueled questions about whether their longtime friendship had turned romantic. Whitney was 43, Ray J was 26, and her divorce from Bobby Brown wouldn’t become final until April. Their outings attracted considerable attention as Whitney adjusted to life outside a marriage that had played out so publicly.

The rumors followed them into 2008, when they were photographed sitting ringside at the Bernard Hopkins and Joe Calzaghe boxing match in Las Vegas. Ray J was also fielding questions about reports that he’d proposed to Whitney. During his interview with Essence, he dodged the marriage question with jokes and congratulations to Nick Cannon and Mariah Carey, who had just married. Even when the interviewer pressed him on whether the friendship was romantic, he refused to give a straight answer.

Read More: Ray J Eviscerates Jaguar Wright For Allegations About Whitney Houston, Beyonce & Jay-Z

Brandy eventually found herself answering questions about the pair as well. In February 2009, she explained that she’d asked both her brother and Whitney whether they were dating, and both had denied it. “When I ask Whitney, she says the same thing, unless they are just pulling the wool over my eyes,” she told OK magazine. Brandy admitted their closeness looked romantic from the outside, but she believed what they’d told her.

Ray J became more direct in 2010 after another dinner with Whitney, this time in Atlanta, sparked dating reports. He denied they were together on Twitter, insisting she was simply a great friend. Still, their public appearances kept people asking what existed between them. Whitney never publicly confirmed a romance, leaving much of their relationship open to interpretation, even among those who knew them personally.

The Final Days Of Whitney Houston

Their relationship was back in the headlines just days before the 2012 Grammy Awards. On February 3, TMZ photographed Whitney and Ray J leaving Le Petit Four in West Hollywood after dinner. Ray J helped her into a waiting vehicle, prompting renewed speculation that the two had rekindled their romance. Neither publicly confirmed the rumors, but they continued spending time together as Hollywood prepared for its biggest music weekend.

On February 9, both attended Kelly Price’s pre-Grammy celebration at Tru Hollywood, where Whitney arrived with her daughter, Bobbi Kristina Brown. The evening brought together several R&B artists, and Whitney unexpectedly joined Price onstage for a brief rendition of “Jesus Loves Me.” It would become her final public performance. Price later recalled that the duet wasn’t planned. Whitney had simply walked onto the stage after Price acknowledged her presence.

The following day, Ray J appeared on The Insider to promote his book, Death of the Cheating Man. Once again, questions about Whitney entered the conversation. He acknowledged their closeness but maintained that the public misunderstood their relationship. “We hug, we laugh, we go out to dinner,” he explained, adding that they had always tried to keep their personal lives private. When pressed about whether their involvement was physical, he avoided answering directly. ABC News later revisited the interview.

On February 11, Whitney was found unresponsive in her suite at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, where she was staying ahead of Clive Davis’ annual pre-Grammy party. She was pronounced dead at 48, sending shock waves through the music industry just hours before the event. Her death also fell on Brandy’s birthday, making the loss especially painful for a family whose history with Whitney extended back decades.

Grief, Accusations, And A Relationship Rewritten By Tragedy

The speculation surrounding Ray J and Whitney’s relationship took a darker turn after her death. On February 17, 2012, he released a statement expressing the difficulty of processing her loss. “The world lost an icon, but I lost my close friend,” he said, affectionately calling her “Nippy.” The following day, he attended her funeral at New Hope Baptist Church in Newark, New Jersey, where he was photographed crying alongside Brandy. He also shared an emotional embrace with Whitney’s daughter, Bobbi Kristina, during the service.

His grief soon became entangled with accusations about Whitney’s final hours. In March, Bobby Brown’s sister, Leolah Brown, appeared on HLN’s Dr. Drew and alleged that Ray J had helped supply Whitney with drugs. She also claimed to have seen him leaving the Beverly Hilton on the day Whitney died. His attorney, Howard E. King, forcefully denied the accusations, disputing Brown’s account of his whereabouts and her relationship with Whitney. HLN later acknowledged it hadn’t verified her claims before broadcasting them and said it wouldn’t air the interview again.

The allegations emerged as investigators were determining what caused Whitney’s death. The Los Angeles County coroner ruled it an accidental drowning, with heart disease and cocaine use contributing. Beverly Hills police closed their investigation after finding no evidence of foul play.

What Ray J Says Now, And What Whitney Left Behind

More than a decade after Whitney’s death, Ray J offered a revelation that stood in sharp contrast to his earlier interviews. During a July 2025 appearance on Cam Newton’s Funky Friday podcast, he confirmed that they had been romantically involved and claimed they were preparing to make their relationship public. According to Ray J, the two planned to attend Clive Davis’ 2012 pre-Grammy celebration together and announce that they were dating. Whitney died before that could happen.

The conversation also gave Ray J an opportunity to address accusations that had followed him since 2012. He maintained that he was performing in San Diego before Whitney’s death and wasn’t present when she died. He explained that Whitney had a bodyguard named Ray who discovered her body, suggesting the shared name contributed to confusion about his whereabouts. “That’s the biggest cap I’ve ever heard,” he told Newton, rejecting claims that he had been in her hotel room. He also denied ever using drugs with Whitney, although he acknowledged experimenting with hard drugs himself after her death.

Read More: Suge Knight Makes Shocking Allegations About 2Pac & Whitney Houston’s Deaths

His recollections offered an intimate account of their relationship, but Whitney’s own perspective remained absent. Another member of the Norwood family would eventually share her memories of those final days. In her March 2026 memoir, Phases, Brandy revisited her last encounters with the singer, including an emotional three-hour phone conversation on February 10, 2012. They discussed Brandy’s career anxieties and Whitney’s hopes for the future, including returning to the studio and appearing in Sparkle. Brandy recalled believing Whitney when she promised she was going to get better.

Brandy also recounted an encounter during rehearsals for Davis’ Grammy celebration, when Whitney handed her a handwritten note on hotel stationery. The contents have inspired years of curiosity, but Brandy has consistently refused to disclose them. In Phases, she acknowledged that people had developed their own theories about the message, yet remained protective of what Whitney had shared. “I want to keep some small piece of our bond untouched by the world,” she wrote. Nearly 15 years after Whitney’s death, the note remains folded away, its contents known only to Brandy. It likely reflects the same sentiments Ray J has about his time with Whitney, as well.

Read More: Ray J Goes Off After YouTuber Alleges He Was Involved In Whitney Houston’s Death

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During a conversation with radio personality Fadam Got Da Juice, Legend revealed that Jay hasn’t approached him about participating in the 2027 Super Bowl Halftime Show. As theJasmineBRAND reported, the singer acknowledged his close professional connection to the rapper, telling the interviewer, “I’m part of the family.”

However, Legend made it clear that he wouldn’t take offense if Jay decided to perform without bringing anyone else onstage. He considers the Brooklyn legend one of Hip Hop’s greatest artists and believes his catalog is strong enough to carry the entire production. “I wouldn’t be mad if he said ‘I’m not bringing no guest out,'” Legend explained.

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Read More: Dame Dash Doesn’t Want JAŸ-Z To Call Him For The Super Bowl: “I’m Not Going”

John Legend Recently Joined Jay-Z At SoFi Stadium

Another collaboration isn’t particularly far-fetched. Legend signed with Roc Nation for management earlier this year after nearly two decades working with Ty Stiklorius. He has also maintained a musical relationship with Jay for years, including their work on DJ Khaled’s “God Did.” Then, they reunited on Oct. 23 during Jay’s anniversary concert at SoFi Stadium. Legend joined Hov and Khaled to perform “God Did,” one of several surprise appearances during the rapper’s two-night Los Angeles engagement. The concerts celebrated the 30th anniversary of Reasonable Doubt and the 25th anniversary of The Blueprint.

Only days later, the NFL confirmed that Jay would headline Super Bowl LXI at the same stadium on Feb. 14, 2027. Roc Nation has helped produce the halftime show since 2019, but this will be Jay’s first time headlining.

His recent concerts have already shown how many longtime collaborators he could invite onto the Super Bowl stage. Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg joined him for the Oct. 24 finale, while Legend was among the guests the night before. It’s still unknown whether Jay plans to recreate that star-studded atmosphere in February, as the NFL hasn’t announced any additional performers.

Read More: Jay-Z Laughs Off Pressure Ahead Of Super Bowl Halftime Show

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Overall, the design is clean and easy to read. A white molded shell covers the upper, and a light grey Buckeye leaf pattern runs across it. It is subtle enough that you might miss it at first.

Metallic red Swooshes add the main pop of color on the sides. The best detail is on the back, where a green Buckeye leaf sits on the heel. The official Ohio State logo sits on the tongue.

The style code is IX2094-100. Pairs should be available through Nike and select Nike Sportswear retailers, including DTLR.

This is not a player exclusive. Nike has made Vaporposite Pro cleats for Ohio State before, but this Foamposite Pro is made for fans.

The Buckeyes are not alone as Florida State and LSU have their own Foamposite Pros dropping the same day, and each one also costs $250. The FSU pair uses a deep red shell with a gum sole, while the LSU pair is yellow with black tiger stripes.

Read More: Maino’s Rick Ross Halloween Costume Is All About “Heavy Marinara”

Nike Air Foamposite Pro “Ohio State”

College football has become a major part of Nike’s sneaker plans this fall. Nike keeps turning player exclusives into retail releases, and the Oregon “Mummy Duck” Foamposite Pro is another example.

The Foamposite Pro is a perfect canvas for school colors. Its molded shell is easy to paint in one bold color, and the shape already looks like armor.

Eric Avar designed the original Air Foamposite One for Penny Hardaway in 1997, and it has since become one of Nike’s most recognizable basketball shoes.

The college pack also lines up with football season. Ohio State fans can wear these in time for rivalry weekends and bowl-game season.

At $250, they are not cheap, but a Foamposite has always been a premium shoe. The green leaf on the heel and the grey pattern across the shell make this one feel more thoughtful than a basic team colorway.

Overall, the Buckeyes’ Foamposite Pro is a strong start to the pack. It keeps the design simple, and the leaf details give it just enough personality.

Read More: Faith Evans’ Company Faces Nearly $14M Payout In Biggie Estate Battle

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Judge Shelley L. Kaufman denied Martinez’s request for a longer-term restraining order Thursday (Oct. 29) and dissolved the temporary order issued earlier this month. However, Berry’s request to restore their previous 50/50 custody arrangement was unsuccessful. People reported that the modified schedule will remain in place until another hearing in November.

Under those restrictions, Berry can see Maceo during designated daytime hours but cannot have him stay overnight. The former spouses continue sharing legal custody. Berry’s attorney, Marina Beck, welcomed the dismissal of the restraining order, while Martinez’s attorney, Patrick Baghdaserians, called the custody decision a “huge victory” for his client.

Read More: Halle Berry’s Marriage History: A Look At Her Three Ex-Husbands

Halle Berry Denies Allegations Involving Her Son

The legal battle intensified after Martinez accused Berry of physically assaulting Maceo during a Sept. 26 confrontation at her home. He alleged that the actress jumped on their son and placed her hands around his neck during an argument involving a virtual reality game. Berry has denied abusing Maceo, maintaining that the incident involved playful wrestling that escalated when her son pushed her. In a court declaration, she stated, “I have never physically, emotionally or otherwise abused Maceo.” She has also accused Martinez of attempting to undermine her relationship with their son.

The proceedings included nearly four hours of testimony from Maceo during a closed hearing on Oct. 19. Berry had opposed allowing him to testify, arguing that Martinez had influenced his account. Her daughter, Nahla Aubry, also submitted a declaration defending her mother, saying she’d never witnessed Berry physically abuse her younger brother.

The former couple married in 2013 and separated two years later, though they didn’t finalize their divorce until 2023. Their disagreements over parenting continued afterward, eventually leading to the current proceedings.

Thursday’s decision leaves Berry facing significant restrictions despite the dismissal of the restraining order. As MyNewsLA reported, Kaufman rejected her request to resume equal physical custody, but the parents are scheduled to return to court in November. That hearing will revisit the custody arrangement and determine whether Berry’s parenting time should change.

Read More: Halle Berry’s Love Life Through The Decades

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The Brooklyn rapper unveiled his Rick Ross costume in an Instagram video, complete with a fake beard and facial tattoos. He also recreated Rozay’s designer-heavy look, sporting oversized sunglasses as he walked toward the camera to deliver his version of the rapper’s impromptu speech following his release from jail.

“I need silence,” Maino announced, adopting Ross’ delivery before repeating his insistence that he was innocent of the allegations against him. He then moved into the travel plans that made the original video so memorable, promising stops in Dubai and Paris before sitting down to enjoy some pasta. “HEAVY MARINARA!!!…Halloween Edition,” Maino captioned the post.

The impersonation appears to be connected to an upcoming Halloween episode of Let’s Rap About It, which Maino cohosts with Jim Jones, Fabolous, and Dave East. He hasn’t said whether Ross knew about the costume beforehand.\

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Read More: Rick Ross Gets His Bowl Of Pasta After Rigatoni Meme Goes Viral

Maino Pokes Fun At Rick Ross’ Viral Jail Release Speech

The original moment followed Ross’ Oct. 1 arrest in Miami Beach over domestic violence allegations involving his former girlfriend, Jazzma Kendrick. She accused the Maybach Music Group founder of physically assaulting her during an August confrontation at his Star Island residence. Ross has denied her allegations, and his attorneys maintain that he’s innocent.

After posting $5,000 bond, Ross addressed reporters outside the jail, declaring that the accusations against him were fabricated. He then pivoted to his weekend travel plans, including a trip to Paris, where he intended to enjoy a bowl of rigatoni with heavy marinara sauce. The moment became even more amusing when Ross actually followed through. He later shared footage of himself in Paris, enjoying the meal he’d described to reporters.

While Maino’s parody focuses on the more entertaining part of that encounter, the allegations behind Ross’ arrest remain a serious legal matter. His scheduled Oct. 22 arraignment was postponed after his attorneys said prosecutors hadn’t formally filed charges. The next hearing is set for Nov. 6, giving prosecutors additional time to determine how to proceed.

Read More: Rick Ross Arrested For Alleged Battery In Miami

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In an October 27 ruling, Chancellor Kathaleen St. J. McCormick determined that the Voletta Wallace Revocable Trust is owed $12,518,336 in distributions from Notorious B.I.G., LLC, the company Evans manages. The money represents Wallace’s share of earnings generated after her death in February 2025, including proceeds connected to the rapper’s valuable music catalog.

Evans and Wallace established the company in 2007 to manage Biggie’s intellectual property. Their agreement eventually gave Evans and Wallace each a 25 percent share of financial distributions, with the remaining proceeds divided equally between Biggie’s children, T’yanna Wallace and Christopher Jordan “CJ” Wallace. The disagreement intensified after Wallace died and her longtime associate and former Biggie manager, Wayne Barrow, sought recognition as trustee and executor of her estate. Evans challenged whether the trust met the requirements to become a company member, prompting Barrow to sue.

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Read More: Biggie’s Former Manager Secures Share Of Rapper’s Catalog Profits In Estate Dispute

Faith Evans’ Legal Battle With Biggie’s Family Continues

McCormick previously sided with Barrow in August, establishing the trust’s right to membership in the company. The latest ruling addresses how much money it should receive. Although the trust formally became a company member on Dec. 12, 2025, the judge determined that its financial rights began when Wallace died on February 21. Evans and the company had argued that the trust should receive only $48,612, but McCormick rejected that position.

The court also awarded interest on the unpaid distributions, compounded quarterly. Barrow’s attorney, Jay Freiberg, told Billboard that the total would approach $14 million. He welcomed the decision and hoped Evans would stop challenging the trust’s financial rights. Evans’ attorney declined to comment on the latest ruling.

The money dispute stems from Primary Wave’s 2025 acquisition of a substantial stake in Biggie’s catalog and related rights, a transaction that brought considerable new revenue into the estate’s business. However, another family disagreement remains active in Pennsylvania. CJ Wallace is challenging changes his grandmother made to her estate documents just 15 days before her death. Those amendments removed him and longtime family friend Carol Sampson from administrative roles, leaving Barrow as sole trustee and executor. CJ alleges that Barrow improperly influenced his grandmother, which Barrow denies.

The Delaware judge determined that the Pennsylvania proceedings don’t prevent the trust from receiving its distributions. Barrow now has 20 days from the Oct. 27 ruling to submit a final proposed order reflecting the court’s decisions, bringing the trust closer to collecting the money while CJ’s separate challenge proceeds.

Read More: Faith Evans Announces She Wants To Do A First Ladies Tour With Lil Kim

The post Faith Evans’ Company Faces Nearly $14M Payout In Biggie Estate Battle appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

His message arrives three days after the NFL announced that Jay-Z will headline Super Bowl LXI at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, on February 14, 2027. The performance will be Jay’s first as a halftime lead, despite Roc Nation having helped produce the event since 2019. Bayless didn’t directly criticize the selection in his latest remark, but his continued advocacy for Wayne is familiar territory.

Read More: Lil Wayne Poses Next To His Fiancée During Visit With Skip Bayless

Skip Bayless Previously Boycotted Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl Performance

The longtime sports personality was among those who strongly opposed Wayne being passed over when the NFL brought Super Bowl LIX to The Big Easy. In Jan. 2025, he argued that Wayne should “obviously” headline the show, given his connection to the city.

Bayless eventually took his protest further. On the day Kendrick performed, he announced that he wouldn’t watch the halftime show out of respect for his friend, calling the decision to exclude Wayne wrong. The Rap icon was a regular contributor to Bayless’ former FS1 program Undisputed, recording its theme music and frequently joining him for sports discussions. The two have also spoken publicly about their close personal relationship, which began during Bayless’ years at ESPN.

Weezy admitted that missing the New Orleans performance was hard to accept. In Sept. 2024, he told supporters the disappointment had “broke me,” although he later clarified that he held no ill will toward Kendrick. During a Dec. appearance on The Skip Bayless Show, Wayne revealed that he’d spoken with Lamar and encouraged him to deliver a memorable performance.

Jay-Z’s selection presents a different situation, with the Roc Nation founder finally accepting an opportunity he’d previously declined. The NFL hasn’t announced any guest performers for February’s show, leaving its full lineup unknown. Bayless’ latest comments don’t specifically call for Wayne to join Jay-Z, but they make clear that he hasn’t given up on seeing his longtime friend headline the event himself.

Read More: Lil Wayne & Skip Bayless Hint At The Future Of “Undisputed”

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Perry turned over the messages during discovery but maintains that both sides previously agreed to keep them confidential, TMZ reported Thursday (Oct. 29). His latest court filing seeks to preserve that arrangement, particularly for associates whose private conversations were included in the material.

The director insists that those individuals have no connection to Rodriguez’s allegations and shouldn’t have their personal communications exposed simply because they’re acquainted with him. He contends that making the messages public would subject them to unnecessary embarrassment. Rodriguez hasn’t formally responded to the latest request, leaving Perry’s demand for confidentiality unchallenged in the filings reported so far.

Read More: Tyler Perry’s Sexual Assault Accuser Says He Won’t Sit For Deposition

Tyler Perry And Mario Rodriguez Continue Fighting Over Evidence

The disagreement stems from a lawsuit Rodriguez filed in December 2025, accusing Perry of sexually assaulting him during private encounters. Rodriguez, who appeared in the filmmaker’s 2016 comedy Boo! A Madea Halloween, claims they met at a gym in 2015 before Perry helped him secure a small role in the movie.

In his complaint, Rodriguez alleged that Perry made unwanted sexual advances during subsequent visits to his home. He described a 2018 encounter in which Perry allegedly touched his genitals without consent before apologizing and giving him $5,000. Rodriguez also claimed he received another $5,000 after a separate incident involving unwanted sexual contact.

Perry has denied the accusations, arguing that Rodriguez continued communicating with him afterward and repeatedly sought financial assistance. His attorney, Alex Spiro, previously characterized the lawsuit as a “shakedown” and maintained that the allegations lack merit. Moreover, the two have also clashed over what Rodriguez should be permitted to ask during Perry’s deposition. Earlier this year, Rodriguez sought sanctions after accusing Perry of refusing to answer questions concerning his sexual orientation. Perry disputed that account, with his attorneys arguing that such questions were irrelevant to the allegations.

In July, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Brock Hammond rejected Rodriguez’s motion to compel Perry’s deposition after finding that the filmmaker had already agreed to testify on Dec. 9. The latest dispute raises another question about the boundaries of discovery, although the text messages themselves have already been provided to Rodriguez’s legal team. A ruling on their confidentiality hasn’t been reported.

Read More: Marlo Hampton Breaks Silence On Image Of Her Kissing Tyler Perry

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