Tyler Perry Sued: Actor Alleges Sexual Harassment, Assault, and Workplace Gender Violence
Media mogul and billionaire filmmaker Tyler Perry is facing serious accusations of sexual harassment, workplace gender violence, and sexual assault. Actor Derek Dixon has filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles Superior Court seeking at least $260 million in damages, alleging that Perry used his immense power and influence in the entertainment industry to create a “coercive, sexually exploitative dynamic.”
The lawsuit, which names both Tyler Perry and Tyler Perry Studios as defendants, was filed on June 13 and first reported on Tuesday.
Allegations Against the Media Mogul
Derek Dixon, who appeared in 85 episodes of Perry’s BET series The Oval and also worked on Ruthless, claims that Perry promised him career advancement opportunities but instead subjected him to “escalating sexual harassment, assault and battery.” According to the complaint, this alleged abuse occurred while Perry held direct control over Dixon’s employment, compensation, and creative prospects.
Dixon alleges he faced retaliation when he did not respond favorably to Perry’s alleged sexual advances.
The lawsuit details multiple alleged incidents spanning several years. The two reportedly first met in 2019 at a party for Perry’s studio in Atlanta, where Dixon was working for an event company. Perry allegedly singled him out, inquired about his employment status, and asked if he was an actor. Following this meeting, Perry allegedly began texting Dixon, expressing interest in his career goals and aspirations.
The suit claims Perry offered Dixon a role on Ruthless, describing it as a small part with the potential to “get a lot bigger,” which the lawsuit characterizes as setting up “the first stage in a series of escalating quid pro quo offers.” Dixon was later cast as Dale in The Oval.
Detailed Claims of Alleged Incidents
The lawsuit recounts specific alleged incidents at Perry’s homes.
January 2020: After his first acting job, Dixon alleges he was invited to Perry’s home in Douglasville County, Georgia. After having several drinks, Dixon claims Perry urged him not to drive home, persuading him to stay the night. Dixon was shown to a guest room, which the suit alleges was a “ruse” for Perry to assault him. While Dixon was in bed wearing only underwear, the suit claims Perry entered the room, slipped into bed behind him, and began rubbing his inner thigh in a “highly sexual and suggestive manner.” Dixon alleges he turned around and saw Perry in bed with him.
June 2021: Another alleged incident occurred at Perry’s Georgia home. Dixon claims that after discussing a script he had written, Perry asked for a “good night” hug. As Dixon complied, the lawsuit alleges Perry reached out, yanked his underwear down from behind, and began “vigorously grab[bing], grop[ing], and play[ing] with Dixon’s buttocks in a sexual manner.” Dixon states he was naked, stunned, and fearful, telling Perry he didn’t want his underwear down or to be naked. He attempted to pull his underwear back up, but alleges Perry grabbed his arm with a tight grip. Dixon claims he was able to distract Perry and change the subject, preventing the alleged incident from escalating further.
The lawsuit also includes alleged text message exchanges between the two over several years, which reportedly show flirtatious and sexually suggestive messages from Perry, some of which Dixon appears to have attempted to rebuff. One text allegedly shows Perry writing he was “jealous” of Dixon with other men.
Dixon’s complaint alleges that Perry continued to abuse his power on the set of The Oval, making sexual comments and asking intrusive personal questions. Dixon claims he feared that non-compliance would lead Perry to kill off his character and ruin his career. He alleges that his role in The Oval as a “gay, homeless, and desperate store clerk” who sleeps with another character for shelter was written to reflect what Perry was purportedly seeking in a real-life partner.
The lawsuit posits that Perry’s alleged actions are part of a “troubling pattern of exploiting vulnerable male actors and employees,” drawing comparisons to other prominent figures accused of sexual misconduct in the industry, including Harvey Weinstein, Bill Cosby, R. Kelly, and Sean “P-Diddy” Combs. Dixon’s filing suggests that Perry’s immense success, with a net worth estimated at $1.4 billion built significantly from the Madea franchise and his vast Tyler Perry Studios complex, led him to believe that “money and influence can get him whatever he wants,” evolving into the false notion that he could have whomever he desires.
Perry’s Response and Denial
In response to the allegations, Tyler Perry has denied the claims. His attorney, Matthew Boyd, issued a statement describing the lawsuit as a “shakedown.”
“This is an individual who got close to Tyler Perry for what now appears to be nothing more than setting up a scam,” Boyd said. “But Tyler will not be shaken down and we are confident these fabricated claims of harassment will fail.”
Dixon reportedly filed a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) around June 2024 and subsequently quit The Oval due to the alleged harassment before filing the lawsuit.
References
- www.theguardian.com
- www.hindustantimes.com
- m.economictimes.com
- <a href="https://www.imdb.com/news/ni65339303/?ref=nwcart_perm”>www.imdb.com
- nypost.com
