Tyler Perry is facing a $260 million lawsuit from an actor on his BET series The Oval, who accuses the filmmaker of sexual harassment, assault, and abuse of power.
The lawsuit was filed by Derek Dixon, who appeared in 85 episodes of The Oval. Dixon claims Perry used his influence in the entertainment industry to sexually exploit him. According to the complaint, the alleged misconduct began after the two met in 2019 at a party for Perry’s Atlanta studio.
Dixon says Perry took an interest in him and later offered him the role of Dale on The Oval. The lawsuit alleges that Perry invited Dixon to private events and his home, where the inappropriate behavior occurred. In one instance in June 2021, while Dixon was staying at Perry’s guesthouse, he claims Perry, who was intoxicated, groped him and climbed into bed with him. Dixon says he quickly got out of bed and made it clear he was not interested in sex.
The suit also cites years of alleged unwanted sexual advances, including text messages with sexual remarks and propositions. Dixon claims Perry continued to send suggestive messages and made frequent inappropriate comments on set. He alleges that Perry’s actions created a hostile work environment and that he feared rejecting Perry would cost him his job.
Dixon further accuses Perry of offering to produce a show Dixon wrote, Losing It, as a way to pressure him. The lawsuit claims Perry promised to make the pilot but was using the offer as leverage for sexual favors. According to Dixon, Perry later bought the rights to the show without any intention of producing it.
Perry’s attorney, Matthew Boyd, dismissed the allegations. He called the lawsuit a “shakedown” and said the claims are fabricated. “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.”
The lawsuit seeks punitive damages for sexual harassment, assault, emotional distress, and retaliation.
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