“Then I’m thinking, I already did a movie with him. I have no other reason to believe that it would continue,” Rodriguez explained. “And then, guys, it was my dream. My dream was coming true; it was unfolding right in front of me. But I asked myself that question for so many years — and it was the same reason why I didn’t come forward.”

Rodriguez continued, stating that he was afraid to share his story because he thought no one would believe him because he “didn’t have the perfect things to say.” However, he said that he “learned that that question says more about how little people know about abuse than it says about me.”

Rodriguez on sharing allegations: ‘I wanted to get this off my chest’

Many sexual assault victims are hesitant to come forward in fear of people thinking that they’re lying or only going after the alleged abuser for monetary gain. But Rodriguez said he’s done keeping things inside.

“I’m tired of holding that weight on my shoulders,” he said. “I wanted to get this off my chest. It’s not healthy to hold these things inside. I hope that gives you guys a little bit of clarity on why I was going back.”

Rodriguez also explained how sexual assault is not a monolith and how it doesn’t look the same for everyone who experiences it.

“Sexual assault doesn’t always look the way people think it does,” Rodriguez said. People picture abuse as a one time thing by a person that you’ll never see again.”

Rodriguez said the situation is different when it involves your mentor, who “holds the keys to your career.” Fear and a desire to make his dreams come true were among the reasons Rodriguez said he continued working with Perry after those alleged incidents.

When did Rodriguez file the sexual assault lawsuit against Tyler Perry?

In December, Rodriguez filed the $77 million lawsuit against Perry, citing sexual assault and battery as the reasons for the claim. He said Perry had made unwanted advances toward him several times at the Madea creator’s home. He claimed Perry groped parts of his body and touched his penis, Blavity reported.

Perry argued against the lawsuit, calling it a money grab and saying that Rodriguez had seemingly filed it after the actor sent several text messages at different times asking Perry for financial help.

The pair allegedly met in 2014 after a gym trainer told Rodriguez that he wanted to meet with him about a possible movie role.