Tyler Perry Faces $260 Million Lawsuit Over Alleged Sexual Assault by Former Cast Member
Tyler Perry hit with $260m lawsuit as actor Derek Dixon alleges sexual harassment, assault.
Claims include unwanted advances and texts, Perry’s lawyer calls it a false extortion attempt.
Renowned filmmaker and actor Tyler Perry is facing serious legal trouble as Derek Dixon, a cast member from his BET series “The Oval”, has filed a $260 million lawsuit accusing him of sexual harassment and assault. The lawsuit, which was recently revealed through court documents obtained by TMZ, has sent shockwaves through the entertainment industry.
Dixon, who portrayed the character Dale on “The Oval”, alleges that his professional relationship with Perry began in 2019 after they met at an event. According to Dixon, Perry initially made a friendly connection, exchanging contact information and offering him a minor role in the spinoff series Ruthless. Shortly after, Dixon claims he was invited to Perry’s Atlanta residence, where he reportedly drank excessively and passed out in a guest room.
In his suit, Dixon alleges that while he was asleep, Perry entered the room, climbed into bed with him, and began touching his thighs. Dixon says he rejected the alleged advance, but further inappropriate behavior followed once he secured a recurring role on “The Oval”.
He claims that Perry began sending him sexually suggestive text messages, including one that allegedly read, “No straight man would be going on walks with you or cooking dinner for you unless they wanted to fk you. I would fk you.” Dixon also notes that his character portrayed as a gay, homeless store clerk was eerily similar to Perry’s supposed real-life description of someone “desperate and dependent.”
The actor further alleges that the harassment escalated in June 2021 during a stay at Perry’s guest house. He recounts a disturbing moment where Perry hugged him goodnight, pulled down his underwear, and groped him, allegedly saying, “Relax and just let it happen.” Dixon says he changed the subject and tried to distance himself from the situation.
Fearing professional backlash and damage to his career, Dixon remained silent for years. However, in June 2024, he filed a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and later resigned from the show, stating he could no longer tolerate the alleged environment.
Tyler Perry has not yet made a public statement, but his attorney Matthew Boyd has strongly denied the accusations, calling them part of a “scam” and insisting Perry will not succumb to what they describe as a baseless attempt at extortion.
As the legal proceedings unfold, the case has drawn widespread attention, raising questions about power dynamics in the entertainment industry and how such allegations are handled, especially when they involve high-profile figures.
