Lawsuit Filed Against Tyler Perry Over ‘She the People’ Series

LOS ANGELES, CA — Aimee Allison, the founder and president of the nonprofit organization She the People, has filed a lawsuit against Tyler Perry and Netflix regarding their new scripted series, coincidentally titled ‘She the People.’ The lawsuit was filed just before the show’s debut on May 22, 2025.

Allison’s complaint targets Netflix, Perry, his production company Tyler Vision, LLC, and actress Terri J. Vaughn. The suit claims that the series infringes on the brand identity of the nonprofit and misappropriates the goodwill generated from Allison’s political advocacy efforts.

In the new comedy series, Vaughn plays Antoinette Dunkerson, a determined politician running for lieutenant governor. As she navigates the challenges of public life, she must also manage her family dynamics under a condescending boss. Perry co-created the series along with Niya Palmer, who serves as an executive producer alongside Vaughn and former Atlanta mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms.

The lawsuit claims that Allison previously worked with Vaughn to develop a docuseries based on the ‘She the People’ idea. According to the complaint, the themes and structure of the Netflix series closely resemble Allison’s original work. ‘The Series echoes many of the same themes regarding Black women’s experiences in politics that Ms. Allison addresses through her activism,’ the lawsuit states.

Allison argues that the series’ themes, especially when associated with the ‘She the People’ brand, could lead to a misuse of her intellectual property. Although she has yet to comment publicly on the lawsuit or the series, her Instagram posts suggest concerns about protecting creative ideas. She stated, ‘Ideas have value. Some of us are blessed with ideas—beautiful ones—that carry meaning, shape culture, and create lasting value.’

Additionally, it was reported that Perry attempted to trademark ‘She the People’ but was denied due to Allison’s existing trademark. The conflict raises questions about the ownership of ideas and the potential confusion it may cause among the public regarding the two different visions of the brand.

Allison, a seasoned political strategist, has also worked on various campaigns, including supporting Vice President Kamala Harris in both her 2020 and 2024 presidential runs. The She the People nonprofit, founded in 2018, aims to amplify the voices and power of women of color in political spaces.

As the Netflix series continues to rank among its Top 10 shows, it remains to be seen how this legal conflict will unfold, but Allison’s commitment to protecting her organization’s mission appears strong.