Filmmaker and media mogul Tyler Perry is facing a significant legal challenge as actor Derek Dixon has filed a $260 million lawsuit accusing him of sexual assault, harassment, battery, and professional retaliation. Dixon, known for his roles in Perry’s television series “The Oval” and “Ruthless,” filed the complaint in Los Angeles Superior Court on June 13, 2025.
The lawsuit contends that Perry, leveraging his considerable power and influence within the entertainment industry, established a “coercive, sexually exploitative dynamic” with Dixon. According to court documents, Perry allegedly promised career advancement and creative opportunities to Dixon but then subjected him to escalating sexual harassment, assault, and battery when the actor did not reciprocate unwanted sexual advances. Professional retaliation reportedly followed when Dixon resisted the alleged misconduct.
Key Allegations Detailed in the Lawsuit
The relationship between Perry and Dixon reportedly began in 2019 when Dixon was working event staff at a party hosted by Perry or at Tyler Perry Studios. This interaction led to discussions about an acting career, and Dixon was later offered an audition. He subsequently secured roles in Perry’s shows, initially a smaller part in “Ruthless” before landing a more prominent role as ‘Dale’ in the political drama “The Oval.”
However, the lawsuit claims that as Dixon’s roles became more significant, Perry’s alleged sexual advances grew more aggressive. Court filings cite instances of Perry allegedly sending sexually suggestive text messages to Dixon, including one specifically mentioned asking, “What’s it going to take for you to have guiltless sex?”
The complaint details multiple alleged incidents of sexual assault. These include:
An incident in January 2020 at Perry’s home in Georgia where Dixon claims Perry entered his guest room during the night, got into bed with him, and touched his body inappropriately.
An encounter in a trailer on the set of “The Oval,” where Perry is accused of interrogating Dixon about his sexual interests, pinning him to a wall, and fondling him. Dixon states he refused the advance and immediately left.
Another alleged assault in the same trailer after filming an episode where Dixon’s character was seemingly written off, which the lawsuit claims left Dixon severely anxious.
A third alleged assault at Perry’s home in June 2021 during a meeting to discuss a TV pilot Dixon was developing.
- Other general allegations include Perry reportedly forcibly pulling off Dixon’s clothing, groping him, and attempting to force himself on the actor on multiple occasions, as well as an alleged incident at a cast party on Perry’s private island in the Bahamas.
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Alleged Career Threats and Impact on Actor
The lawsuit alleges that Perry explicitly linked Dixon’s professional future to his willingness to comply with the sexual advances. According to the complaint, Perry “made it clear to Dixon that if Dixon ignored Perry or failed to engage with the sexual innuendoes, Dixon’s character would ‘die’” in the next season. Dixon claims Perry “always held this over Mr Dixon’s head,” implying job security depended on keeping Perry “happy.”
Dixon states he attempted to navigate the situation, trying to remain friendly while maintaining boundaries and “tiptoe around Mr. Perry’s sexual aggression” due to fear for his career. He claims he “continued to put up with” the alleged advances out of concern for his livelihood.
The sustained alleged harassment reportedly took a toll on Dixon’s health. The lawsuit mentions that he sought medical attention and was diagnosed with insomnia, stomach issues, and high stress levels, for which he was prescribed medication like Zoloft. To create distance, Dixon reportedly moved from Atlanta to Santa Monica, California, in January 2023.
The lawsuit also claims that Perry produced and acquired the rights to Dixon’s pilot project, “Losing It,” but only used it as leverage to prevent Dixon from exposing the alleged misconduct, with no genuine intent to help sell the show.
Legal Action and Perry’s Defense
Before filing the lawsuit, Dixon reportedly filed a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) in 2024. According to reports, after no action was taken by the show’s producers following the EEOC complaint, Dixon quit his role on “The Oval.”
The $260 million lawsuit seeks substantial damages and demands a jury trial to hear the claims of sexual assault, battery, harassment, and retaliation.
In response to the lawsuit, Tyler Perry’s attorney, Matthew Boyd, has vehemently denied all allegations. Boyd characterized the lawsuit as a “scam” designed to extort money from Perry. According to statements from Boyd, Dixon “got close to Tyler Perry for what now appears to be nothing more than setting up a scam.” Boyd added that “Tyler will not be shaken down” and expressed confidence that these “fabricated claims of harassment will fail.”
The case is expected to be a high-profile legal battle involving one of the most successful independent media figures in the United States.
