Derek Dixon, an actor who worked on Tyler Perry’s television shows The Oval and Ruthless, has filed a $260 million lawsuit in Los Angeles against the media mogul. The lawsuit alleges that Perry used his status in the industry to foster a coercive and sexually exploitative environment.
Dixon claims that what began as professional mentorship turned into escalating sexual harassment, assault, and eventual retaliation when he rejected Perry’s advances. The case has drawn significant attention due to Perry’s stature in the entertainment industry.
Alleged Sexual Coercion Tied To Casting Decisions Creates Toxic Work Environment For Actor
Dixon asserts that his interactions with Perry began in 2019, after meeting at a work event for Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta. Over time, he claims Perry made numerous inappropriate sexual remarks and pursued a sexual relationship. Dixon says that he consistently rejected these advances, but Perry allegedly linked Dixon’s acting opportunities to his compliance, warning that Dixon’s character could be written off the show if he didn’t reciprocate Perry’s interest.
Actor Sues Tyler Perry for $260 Million, Alleging Sexual Coercion and Retaliation on SetAccording to the lawsuit, Perry cast Dixon in Ruthless and later in The Oval, but allegedly used the roles as leverage. The legal complaint outlines that Perry threatened to kill off Dixon’s character if he failed to engage with Perry’s sexual innuendos. Dixon alleges that the pressure was constant and that Perry’s influence over casting decisions created a toxic work environment where he felt his career depended on his personal compliance with Perry’s wishes.
Alleged Assault in On-Set Trailer Sparks Legal Battle and Industry-Wide Misconduct Concerns
One of the most serious allegations in the lawsuit involves an incident in a trailer on the set of The Oval, where Dixon claims Perry interrogated him about his sexual preferences before pinning him against a wall and fondling him. Dixon says he resisted the advance and immediately left the trailer. These alleged incidents form the basis for the claims of assault and battery in the case, which is now under legal review.
Tyler Perry, through his attorney Matthew Boyd, has categorically denied the allegations, describing the lawsuit as a “scam” designed to extort money. Boyd stated that Dixon had befriended Perry with the intent of setting him up and emphasized Perry’s resolve not to be “shaken down.” Dixon, meanwhile, said he chose to leave The Oval and turned down a writing job offered by Perry to end the alleged harassment. As the case progresses, it brings renewed focus to issues of power dynamics and misconduct in the entertainment industry.