American movie producer and actor Tyler Perry is facing a $260 million lawsuit from an actor who claims Perry sexually assaulted and harassed him while working on the TV series “The Oval.”
Derek Dixon, who appeared in 85 episodes of the BET series, filed the lawsuit in Los Angeles Superior Court on Friday. He claims Perry used his power in the entertainment industry to sexually exploit him.
The lawsuit states: “Mr. Perry took his success and power and used his considerable influence in the entertainment industry to create a coercive, sexually exploitative dynamic with Mr. Dixon — initially promising him career advancement and creative opportunities, such as producing his pilot and casting him in his show, only to subject him to escalating sexual harassment, assault and battery, and professional retaliation.”
Perry, 55, is known for creating and starring in the “Madea” films and has built a major production empire in TV and movies. As an actor, he has also appeared in films like “Gone Girl” and “Don’t Look Up.” “The Oval” is one of many television series he executive produces, writes and directs.
According to the lawsuit, Perry first noticed Dixon in 2019 when Dixon worked as event staff at a Perry party. Perry later offered him an audition, and Dixon first appeared in a small role on Perry’s series “Ruthless” before getting a bigger role as Dale on “The Oval.”
The lawsuit claims Perry soon began sending unwanted sexual text messages to Dixon. One message included in the lawsuit reads: “What’s it going to take for you to have guiltless sex?”
Another alleged text message from Perry states: “No straight man would be going on walks with you or cooking dinner for you unless they wanted to f**k you. I would f**k you.”
Dixon claims his character Dale was written as “a gay, homeless and desperate store clerk who had to sleep with other characters for a place to stay.” He says Perry told him this was exactly what he was looking for in a real-life sexual partner – “someone who would be loyal and dependent upon Tyler.”
The lawsuit says Perry offered Dixon increasingly prominent roles on the show as his sexual advances became more aggressive. Dixon says he tried to remain friendly while maintaining boundaries because he feared losing his job.
“Dixon did his best to tiptoe around Mr. Perry’s sexual aggression while keeping on Mr. Perry’s good side,” the lawsuit states. “Mr. Perry made it clear to Dixon that if Dixon ignored Perry or failed to engage with the sexual innuendoes, Dixon’s character would ‘die.'”
The lawsuit describes several alleged assault incidents. In one instance, Perry allegedly “forcibly pulled off Mr. Dixon’s clothing, groped his buttocks, and attempted to force himself on Dixon.”
Dixon clearly told Perry “No,” but was initially ignored until he was able to change the subject, according to the lawsuit.
Another alleged incident occurred in 2020 when Perry invited Dixon to Atlanta. The lawsuit claims Perry started a sexually charged conversation, asking Dixon if he “likes it rough in bed,” then grabbed Dixon by the throat while saying, “Look how excited you just got.”
The most serious alleged incident happened in June 2021 at Perry’s Atlanta home. Dixon was staying in the guest house wearing only underwear when Perry allegedly came in to give him a goodnight hug.
The lawsuit states Perry “yanked down his underwear, groped his butt and said, ‘Relax and just let it happen'” and assured Dixon “it wasn’t going to hurt.” Dixon says he managed to stop the advance by changing the subject.
After the first assault, Perry apologized and told Dixon he would work with him on a TV pilot Dixon wanted to produce. Dixon later received a raise that the lawsuit suggests was meant to keep him quiet.
Perry produced and bought the rights to Dixon’s pilot called “Losing It,” but the lawsuit claims Perry had no intention of selling the show and was only using it for leverage over Dixon.
Dixon eventually moved from Atlanta, where Perry’s production studio is located, to Los Angeles to put distance between them.
In June 2024, Dixon filed a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. When that didn’t result in action from the show’s producers, he quit “The Oval.”
Dixon is suing Perry and Tyler Perry Studios for workplace sexual harassment, sexual assault and battery, seeking $260 million in damages.
Perry’s attorney, Matthew Boyd, denied the allegations in a statement.
“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.”
