Tyler Perry, the acclaimed filmmaker and creator of hit shows like “The Oval,” is facing a $260 million lawsuit from actor Derek Dixon, who alleges years of se xual harassment, assault, and workplace retaliation. The lawsuit was filed on Friday, June 13, 2025, in Los Angeles Superior Court.
Dixon, who appeared in 85 episodes of Perry’s BET drama “The Oval” as the character Dale, claims that Perry used his considerable industry power to create what the lawsuit describes as “a coercive, se xually exploitative dynamic” throughout their professional relationship.
The Allegations: A Pattern of Misconduct
Initial Meeting and Early Incidents
According to the lawsuit, Dixon first met Perry in September 2019 while working for an event company organizing a party at Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta. Perry allegedly approached Dixon, asked for his phone number, and later offered him acting opportunities.
The complaint alleges that Perry initially gave Dixon a small role in two episodes of “Ruthless” before the situation escalated. In January 2020, Dixon claims he was invited to Perry’s Atlanta home, where he consumed too much alcohol and stayed in a guest room. According to the lawsuit, Perry entered the bed and began touching Dixon’s thighs, which Dixon rejected.
Career Advancement and Continued Harassment
Shortly after this alleged incident, Dixon was cast as a series regular on “The Oval.” The lawsuit includes screenshots of text messages allegedly sent by Perry, including se xually explicit content and propositions. One message reportedly read: “What’s it going to take for you to have guiltless se x?”
The suit claims Perry made it clear that Dixon’s job security depended on his compliance with these advances. “Mr. Perry made it clear to Dixon that if Dixon ignored Perry or failed to engage with the se xual innuendos, Dixon’s character would ‘die’ in the next season,” the complaint states. Dixon’s character Dale was notably shot four times in the chest at the end of his first season, with Perry allegedly using this as leverage.
Escalating Incidents
The lawsuit details multiple alleged assault incidents, including one during a cast trip to the Bahamas in October 2020, where Perry allegedly groped Dixon while intoxicated. Another serious incident allegedly occurred in June 2021 at Perry’s guest house, where Dixon claims Perry “began to vigorously grab, grope, and play with Dixon’s buttocks in a se-xual manner” after pulling down his underwear.
Financial Incentives and Silencing Tactics
The ‘Losing It’ Pilot Deal
Following the alleged June 2021 assault, Perry’s representatives reportedly offered Dixon a $6,000 per episode raise to return to “The Oval” and promised to produce Dixon’s pilot script called “Losing It.” However, the lawsuit claims Perry never intended to actually produce or sell the show, using it merely as leverage to keep Dixon quiet.
Dixon reportedly struggled with whether to accept Perry’s financial offers or speak out about the alleged abuse. The lawsuit states he “bowed to the pressure and fear of losing his livelihood” and decided to return to the set in hopes of advancing his career.
Health Impact and Professional Consequences
Medical and Psychological Effects
The lawsuit details significant health impacts on Dixon, who allegedly suffered from severe depression, anxiety, stomach pains, and nausea. He was prescribed antidepressants and later diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). A physician reportedly noted Dixon’s “severe symptoms of acute stress, insomnia, stomach issues, and dangerously low cortisol levels.”
Reporting and Retaliation
In June 2024, Dixon formally reported Perry’s alleged se-xual harassment to co-defendants TPS Production Services and filed a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. The lawsuit claims the production company “did not make any investigation into the complaint and did not take any steps to prevent further harassment from occurring.”
When Dixon planned to quit “The Oval” ahead of its new season, Perry allegedly persuaded him to take a medical leave of absence instead. The lawsuit claims Perry then terminated Dixon’s contract in retaliation, causing him to lose approximately $400,000 in potential earnings.
Perry’s Response and Legal Defense
Denial and Counter-Accusations
Perry’s attorney, Matthew Boyd, has vigorously denied all allegations, calling the lawsuit a “shakedown” and a “scam.” In a statement, Boyd said: “This is an individual who got close to Tyler Perry for what now appears to be nothing more than setting up a scam. But Tyler will not be shaken down and we are confident these fabricated claims of harassment will fail.”
Industry Context and Broader Implications
Comparison to Other High-Profile Cases
The lawsuit explicitly compares Perry’s alleged behavior to other entertainment industry figures accused of se-xual misconduct, including “Harvey Weinstein, Bill Cosby, R. Kelly, Sean ‘P-Diddy’ Combs, Kevin Spacey, and Roger Ailes.” The complaint suggests Perry used his success and influence believing “money and influence can get him whatever he wants.”
The Power Dynamics in Entertainment
According to Dixon’s legal team, Perry allegedly used a pattern of providing “vulnerable men with acting positions, roles, show contracts, cars, and money,” only to later leverage these benefits for se-xual favors. The lawsuit claims Perry would “easily ‘kill off’ a character in a show of an actor who failed to indulge Perry’s se-xual fantasies.”
Legal Proceedings and Next Steps
The comprehensive 46-page lawsuit includes claims of se-xual harassment, workplace harassment, se-xual battery, se-xual assault, negligent hiring and supervision, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and retaliation. Dixon is seeking a jury trial and $260 million in total damages, including punitive damages.
The case represents a significant challenge to one of the entertainment industry’s most powerful figures, as Perry has built a substantial media empire that includes multiple television series, films, and the expansive Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What specific damages is Derek Dixon seeking in the lawsuit? A: Dixon is seeking $260 million in total damages, including punitive damages, through a jury trial in Los Angeles Superior Court.
Q: How has Tyler Perry responded to these allegations? A: Perry’s attorney has categorically denied all claims, calling the lawsuit a “scam” and stating that Perry “will not be shaken down.”
Q: What evidence does the lawsuit include? A: The complaint includes screenshots of alleged text messages between Perry and Dixon, medical records showing Dixon’s health impacts, and detailed timelines of alleged incidents spanning from 2019 to 2024.