4 min readNew DelhiUpdated: Jun 18, 2025 06:02 AM IST
The Oval star Derek Dixon has slapped Tyler Perry with a $260 million lawsuit, accusing him of sexual assault, harassment, and abusing his power for years. The suit, filed in Los Angeles earlier this week, reveals that Dixon, who worked with the industry mogul, was pressured into uncomfortable sexual situations. The Ruthless star claimed Perry used his influence in the industry and his authority to manipulate him while guaranteeing career opportunities and support, but the actor-filmmaker allegedly used them to make sexual advances instead. According to the complaint, Dixon revealed that in 2021, he was at Perry’s guesthouse when he was “groped” while drunk.
Derek Dixon accuses Tyler Perry of sexual harassment
The two reportedly met back in 2019, during the launch party of Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta. Dixon, at the time, was working for an event company and was later handpicked by Perry from the crowd. The filmmaker asked him if he was an actor and took his number, telling him he might have a role for him, according to the court filing obtained by Page Six. Soon, Dixon was offered a role on The Oval, the show revolving around the U.S. presidency. The suit further includes multiple text exchanges between the two, showing how Perry made several sexual remarks and propositions over the years. Dixon claims Perry “held direct control over his employment, compensation, and creative opportunities.” In his early days, Perry reportedly said his part, although small, could grow bigger, setting up what Dixon now describes as a “quid pro quo” (do this for me, I’ll do that for you) situation.
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“Once the object of his desire was hooked, Tyler Perry would then put them in fear of losing it all unless they engaged in Mr. Perry’s perverted desire for sexual gratification. Mr. Perry would easily ‘kill off’ a character in a show of an actor who failed to indulge Perry’s sexual fantasies,” an excerpt of the filing read.
In January 2021, Dixon says Perry invited him to his Atlanta home. They had drinks, and Perry reportedly offered him a guest room for the night. That same night, Dixon claimed he rejected his sexual advances. Dixon also says he felt trapped. He didn’t want to lose his role or upset Perry, so he didn’t report the harassment immediately.
The lawsuit also details a trip to the Bahamas in October 2020, where Perry allegedly drank too much and assaulted Dixon again. In the lawsuit filed in Los Angeles Superior Court on June 13, 2025, Dixon is accusing Perry of: assault, retaliation, battery, workplace abuse, and enforcing a coercive and sexually exploitative work environment, asking for damages worth at least $260 million.
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Tyler Perry’s response
Perry has denied all the accusations. His lawyer, Matthew Boyd, has slammed the lawsuit as “fabricated claims of harassment.” In a statement to Variety, he 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 said Perry will not give in and that they’re confident the case will fall apart. “But Tyler will not be shaken down, and we are confident these fabricated claims of harassment will fail.”
Derek Dixon Sues Tyler Perry for $260M Over Sexual Harassment (Pic-AP)