Media mogul Tyler Perry is facing an explosive $260 million lawsuit filed by actor Derek Dixon, who alleges sexual harassment, assault, and retaliation. The suit details a pattern of alleged misconduct spanning several years, leveraging promises of career advancement in exchange for sexual compliance.
According to the detailed complaint filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court, Dixon, known for his role as Dale on Perry’s BET series The Oval, claims Perry created a “coercive, sexually exploitative dynamic” starting as early as 2019.
Allegations Detail a Troubling Pattern
Dixon claims their relationship began after they met at a party for the opening of Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta in September 2019, where Dixon was working for an event company. Perry allegedly took an interest in Dixon’s acting aspirations, leading to text messages and offers of roles, including a small part in Ruthless before being cast on The Oval.
The lawsuit alleges that Perry’s communication quickly became “strange and untowardly,” with persistent and often sexually suggestive text messages. Dixon claims Perry treated him as an “on-call pet,” frequently texting about his sex life or going on sexually explicit rants, with the frequency and aggression increasing when Dixon tried to ignore the messages. One cited example text message from Perry allegedly read: “What’s it going to take for you to have guiltless sex?”
Specific Incidents of Alleged Assault and Groping
The complaint details multiple alleged incidents of sexual assault and groping:
January 2020, Perry’s Home: Dixon alleges that after being invited to Perry’s home and offered a guest room after drinking, Perry appeared in the guest room bed and began groping him. Dixon states he tried to deter Perry, repeatedly telling him he was “not into sex,” while attempting not to jeopardize his burgeoning career opportunity.
After Filming on The Oval: Following the filming of a scene where Dixon’s character was shot, Perry allegedly invited him to his trailer. The suit claims Perry asked inappropriate questions about attraction before pinning Dixon against the wall and “aggressively groping” his buttocks as Dixon tried to leave. Dixon reportedly became severely nauseous and anxious after this alleged incident.
Bahamas Cast Trip: Dixon claims he was similarly groped during a cast trip to the Bahamas in October 2020.
June 2021, Perry’s Home: While meeting at Perry’s guesthouse to discuss a script Dixon had written for a show called “Losing It,” which Perry had allegedly expressed interest in producing, Dixon claims Perry attempted to sexually assault him again. The suit alleges Perry pulled down Dixon’s underwear and “began to vigorously grab, grope, and play with Dixon’s buttocks in a sexual manner,” leaving Dixon “naked, stunned and seized by tremendous fear.” Days later, Perry allegedly called to apologize, blaming testosterone supplements, while reiterating his promise to produce Dixon’s show.
Dixon alleges he explicitly told Perry “No” during some encounters but was initially ignored before managing to de-escalate the situation.
Quid Pro Quo and Alleged Retaliation
A central claim of the lawsuit is that Perry allegedly leveraged Dixon’s career advancement in exchange for sexual compliance. According to the complaint, Perry made it clear that if Dixon ignored or failed to engage with the sexual innuendoes, his character on The Oval would “die.” Dixon’s character was shot at the end of his first season, and the suit alleges Perry implied the character’s survival depended on Dixon keeping Perry “happy.”
The lawsuit further claims that Perry presented the opportunity to produce Dixon’s “Losing It” pilot as an “escalating quid pro quo” offer and a means to cover up the alleged assaults and prevent Dixon from going public. While Perry allegedly bought the rights to the show, the complaint contends he “had no intention of ever producing ‘Losing It'” and merely used it as leverage, dangling the promise over Dixon’s head.
When Dixon resisted, he allegedly faced professional retaliation. The suit claims that after a formal complaint was filed through Dixon’s attorney, Perry’s team suggested he take a medical leave before he was ultimately terminated without pay. Dixon subsequently left The Oval during its final season, claiming a loss of close to $400,000 in potential income.
Health Impact and Legal Standing
The complaint details that Dixon suffered significant physical and mental health issues due to the alleged “sustained pattern of workplace sexual harassment, assault, and retaliation,” including severe stress, insomnia, stomach issues, anxiety, nausea, and a diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). He was prescribed antidepressants in late 2020. Dixon claims he moved to California in 2023 to distance himself, but the alleged harassment and cover-up attempts continued.
The lawsuit seeks $260 million in damages, including both compensatory and punitive damages, as well as attorneys’ fees. The claims brought against Perry and his production companies, TPS Production Services and And Action LLC, include sexual harassment, sexual battery, sexual assault, intentional infliction of emotional distress, retaliation, and workplace gender violence under California law. The suit also utilizes the California Sexual Abuse and Cover Up Accountability Act, a law that can allow certain previously time-barred claims to be revived.
Tyler Perry’s Attorney Responds
In response to the lawsuit, Matthew Boyd, an attorney for Tyler Perry, vehemently denied the allegations. In a statement to PEOPLE, Boyd said, “This is an individual who got close to Tyler Perry for what now appears to be nothing more than setting up a scam.”
Boyd added, “But Tyler will not be shaken down and we are confident these fabricated claims of harassment will fail.”
The legal battle is ongoing as Dixon seeks a jury trial to hear his claims against the renowned filmmaker.
If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, please contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or go to rainn.org.*
