Tyler Perry is sued for $260 million by actor Derek Dixon, who alleges sexual harassment and coercion during their work on ‘The Oval’ and ‘Ruthless’.
Source: BBC NEWS
Hollywood producer and filmmaker Tyler Perry is facing a $260 million lawsuit filed by actor Derek Dixon, who accuses the mogul of sexual assault and exploitation during their work together on Perry’s TV series.
Dixon’s lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles, alleges that Perry used his influence within the entertainment industry to create a coercive and sexually exploitative environment while Dixon was acting on *The Oval* and *Ruthless*. According to the complaint, Perry promised Dixon a successful acting career but then subjected him to escalating sexual harassment, assault, and professional retaliation when Dixon did not reciprocate Perry’s unwanted advances.
Perry’s legal team has dismissed the allegations, describing the lawsuit as a “scam” aimed at financial gain. “This is an individual who got close to Tyler Perry for what now appears to be nothing more than a setup,” Perry’s attorney Matthew Boyd told the BBC. “Tyler will not be shaken down, and we are confident these fabricated claims will not hold up in court.”
The lawsuit states that Dixon first met Perry in 2019 at a Tyler Perry Studios event in Atlanta, and over several months, they discussed Dixon’s aspiring acting career. The complaint alleges that Perry made numerous sexual comments and advances, which Dixon repeatedly rejected.
The suit claims Perry offered Dixon roles in ‘Ruthless’ and ‘The Oval’, but allegedly warned Dixon that if he ignored Perry or refused his sexual innuendos, his character would “die” in the next season. It further alleges that Perry kept this threat over Dixon’s head, implying his character “Dale” would survive only if Dixon kept Perry “happy.”
Dixon alleges that Perry sexually assaulted him in a set trailer on ‘The Oval’, pinning him against a wall and groping him after interrogating him about his sexual interests. Dixon claims he refused the advances and left the trailer.
Faced with ongoing harassment, Dixon said he decided to leave his role on ‘The Oval’ and declined a writing opportunity from Perry to escape the alleged misconduct.
