Tyler Perry has been sued for alleged sexual harassment and assault by Derek Dixon, an actor known for his roles in ‘The Oval’ and ‘Ruthless’. Dixon claims that Perry forcibly pinned him against a wall and groped him, asserting a pattern of unwanted sexual advances that began after he joined ‘Ruthless’ in 2021. The lawsuit alleges that Perry leveraged his Hollywood influence to exploit male actors and employees, thereby creating an environment of abuse.
Filed on Friday in Los Angeles Superior Court, the lawsuit states that Perry has been using his power to ‘molest, abuse, and sexually assault impressionable and vulnerable employees and actors who look to him for guidance and mentorship while pursuing their dreams’. Dixon is seeking at least $260 million in damages for claims that include sexual harassment, battery, and assault.
According to the lawsuit, Dixon was recruited by Perry in 2019 while working at an event in Atlanta, the location of Tyler Perry Studios. The lawsuit alleges that Perry frequently communicated inappropriately, including a text message where he asked, ‘What’s it going to take for you to have guiltless sex?’
Tensions reportedly escalated in January 2020 after Dixon was invited to Perry’s home. The complaint describes an incident where Dixon, believing he was too intoxicated to drive, agreed to stay overnight. He alleges that when he got into bed, he soon felt Perry slip in behind him and begin to rub his inner thigh in a suggestive manner.
Following this alleged encounter, Dixon claims he largely distanced himself from Perry; however, he later accepted a role on ‘The Oval’ and endured ongoing harassment that included intrusive questions about his sexual orientation. Fearing for his role—where he played a gay, homeless store clerk—Dixon felt pressured to tolerate the inappropriate behavior.
The situation intensified when Perry allegedly invited Dixon to his trailer for drinks, where he claims Perry pinned him against a wall and groped him yet again. Dixon reported being unaware of any human resources department to address the incident.
In June 2021, Dixon alleges Perry began to grab and grope him inappropriately after they discussed a show that Dixon had pitched. Following this, Dixon was offered a significant raise of $6,000 per episode to continue on ‘The Oval’, along with discussions surrounding Perry potentially acquiring the rights to produce a pilot of Dixon’s show, which ultimately fell through.
Dixon has since reported the alleged harassment to regulatory authorities while he declined to return for a future season of ‘The Oval’, prompting Perry to warn him of a potential breach of contract if he disclosed the reasons for his departure.