Tyler Perry, Netflix Hit with Lawsuit Over ‘She the People’ Series

Tyler Perry’s new Netflix series She the People is facing legal action from Aimee Allison, founder and president of the national advocacy group She the People. Filed this week, the lawsuit alleges that Perry, actor Terri J. Vaughn, and Perry’s production company Tyler Vision LLC, infringed upon the organization’s brand identity and mission.

Allison claims the series, which premiered on May 22, 2025, closely mirrors her nonprofit’s long-established themes and objectives—namely, amplifying the political and cultural influence of women of color. According to the complaint, the show’s narrative overlaps significantly with the messaging and goals of her organization, even though presented in a fictional format.

Allison alleges she had previously collaborated with Vaughn on a docuseries concept based on She the People’s platform, and asserts that the Netflix series bears “striking similarities” to that earlier project.

In a video posted on social media days before the series launched, Allison called for the protection of intellectual and creative work. “There are always people watching,” she said, referring to the risk of appropriation. “People who see the value in what you’ve built—and think they’re entitled to use it.”

She the People is a political dramedy that stars Vaughn as Antoinette Dunkerson, the first Black lieutenant governor of Mississippi. Co-created by Tyler Perry and Niya Palmer, the show explores race, gender, and power dynamics in Southern politics. The series is executive produced by Perry, Palmer, Vaughn, and former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms.

Netflix has not commented on the legal filing. The second installment of the series is slated for release on August 14, 2025.