Tyler Perry is facing a £205 million lawsuit from actor Derek Dixon, who has accused the entertainment mogul of sexual harassment, assault and workplace misconduct spanning from 2019 to 2021.
Dixon, who appeared in 85 episodes of Perry’s BET series The Oval, filed the lawsuit on Friday in Los Angeles Superior Court, alleging Perry “used his considerable influence in the entertainment industry to create a coercive, sexually exploitative dynamic,” according to court documents.
The lawsuit claims Perry promised Dixon career advancement while making unwanted sexual advances over several years.
Perry’s attorney, Matthew Boyd, has strongly denied the allegations, stating on behalf of his client: “This is an individual who got close to Tyler Perry for what now appears to be nothing more than setting up a scam.
Tyler Perry, 55, has issued a stern statement after being accused of sexual assault in £205 million lawsuit
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“But Tyler will not be shaken down and we are confident these fabricated claims of harassment will fail.”
According to the lawsuit, Dixon first met Perry at a private event at Perry’s Atlanta studio in 2019 whilst working for an event company. Perry allegedly “picked him out of a crowd,” exchanged phone numbers and offered him acting opportunities.
Dixon was subsequently cast in small roles in Perry’s series Ruthless before landing a recurring role as Dale in The Oval. The lawsuit states Perry “dangled his career in front of him” whilst beginning what Dixon describes as inappropriate behaviour.
In January 2020, Dixon visited Perry’s Atlanta home, where he claims the first incident of unwanted physical contact occurred. According to court documents, Dixon had consumed alcohol and was offered a guest room, but alleges Perry later climbed into bed with him and began touching his thigh.
Dixon claims he “jumped out of bed” and made clear he “was not into sex,” but alleges Perry’s behaviour escalated with sexually explicit text messages.
According to the lawsuit, Perry wrote: “No straight man would be going on walks with you or cooking dinner for you unless they wanted to f*** you. I would f*** you.”
Tyler Perry is one of Hollywood’s biggest names
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The suit alleges Perry asked about Dixon’s sexual preferences and told him “I have sex with men.” Dixon’s character on The Oval was written as a vulnerable gay man who “had to use sex to survive,” which the lawsuit claims mirrored Perry’s alleged desires.
In late 2020, Dixon alleges Perry grabbed him by the neck during another visit, saying: “Look how excited you just got.”
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The most serious allegation relates to June 2021, when Dixon claims Perry entered the guest house where he was staying, pulled down his underwear and groped him whilst saying “Relax and just let it happen.”
Dixon alleges Perry later called to apologise, blaming testosterone supplements for his behaviour.
The lawsuit also claims Perry bought the rights to Dixon’s script Losing It but never intended to produce it, using it as “quid pro quo” to maintain control.
In June 2024, Dixon filed a formal complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) before leaving The Oval.
Tyler Perry has denied the allegations
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He is now seeking £205 million in damages, with the lawsuit bringing claims for sexual harassment, battery, assault, infliction of emotional distress and retaliation.
Perry has not commented publicly beyond his legal team’s statement. No criminal charges have been filed, and the case remains a civil matter.
The lawsuit names Perry, his production companies TPS Production Services and And Action LLC, and 50 unnamed defendants.
Dixon’s complaint alleges Perry has engaged in a pattern of exploiting male actors in his productions, stating Perry has “been using his power and influence to molest, abuse, and sexually assault impressionable and vulnerable employees and actors who look to him for guidance and mentorship while pursuing their dreams.”
Tyler Perry recently appeared at the BET Awards
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Perry continues to expand his production empire, with recent projects including Mea Culpa and ongoing development at Tyler Perry Studios, one of the largest production facilities in the United States.