Tyler Perry has been sued for sexual assault and harassment by actor Derek Dixon, who worked on Perry’s OWN Network series The Oval.
The disturbing claims, which span several years, have ignited shockwaves in the entertainment industry as Dixon, who played Dale on the show, details a series of alleged encounters that took place on and off set, including inside Perry’s own home.
Dixon, who filed the lawsuit in Los Angeles Superior Court on Friday, alleges that the multi-billionaire media mogul took advantage of his power and influence after first meeting him at an event in 2019. According to court documents, Perry personally approached Dixon, offered him a role, and maintained an ongoing relationship that the actor claims became sexual and abusive.
Dixon says that shortly after their meeting, he was cast in Perry’s spin-off series Ruthless. After filming ended, he claims he was invited to Perry’s Atlanta home. That night, Dixon says he became intoxicated and asked to stay in a spare room, only to be followed into bed by Perry, who allegedly began touching his thighs. Although Dixon says he rejected the advances, the situation allegedly escalated over time.
The actor was later cast in The Oval, where he played a recurring role. It was during this time that Perry allegedly began sending sexually suggestive messages, inquiring about Dixon’s preferences, and continuing to push boundaries despite being told he wasn’t “the sexual type.”
According to the lawsuit, the sexual harassment didn’t stop at texts. Perry is accused of physical misconduct, including an incident where he allegedly grabbed Dixon by the throat and another in June 2021 where he reportedly groped the actor at his Atlanta property. Dixon says he was wearing only his underwear when Perry allegedly pulled down his briefs and grabbed him.
Despite being deeply uncomfortable, Dixon says he didn’t speak up at the time due to fear of damaging his career. But after enduring what he calls years of coercion, he filed a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in June 2024.
The lawsuit now targets both Tyler Perry and Tyler Perry Studios, accusing them of quid pro quo harassment and workplace misconduct. In the filing, Dixon compares Perry’s alleged behavior to that of Harvey Weinstein and R. Kelly, claiming the media mogul believed his influence allowed him to act without consequence. He is seeking $260 million in damages.
In response, Perry’s attorney, Matthew Boyd, issued a strong denial. “This is an individual who got close to Tyler Perry for what now appears to be nothing more than setting up a scam,” Boyd told PEOPLE. “Tyler will not be shaken down, and we are confident these fabricated claims of harassment will fail.”
The allegations mark a serious moment for Perry, who has long enjoyed a clean image as a pioneering Black filmmaker and philanthropist. Now, his legacy is facing public scrutiny as this case unfolds. Whether these claims are proven in court or not, they’re already sparking conversations about abuse of power in Hollywood, again.
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