• Derek Dixon has filed a $260 million lawsuit against Tyler Perry, accusing him of sexual harassment, assault, and using his industry power to silence and manipulate him.
• The lawsuit details alleged incidents of coercion, unwanted sexual advances, and professional retaliation dating back to 2019, including text messages and multiple alleged assaults.
• Tyler Perry’s lawyer has denied the allegations, calling them a “scam” and asserting that the claims are fabricated and will not hold up in court.

Derek Dixon, an actor known for his role on Tyler Perry’s BET drama The Oval, has filed a lawsuit accusing Perry of using his industry influence to sexually harass, assault, and retaliate against him over several years.

Filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, the lawsuit seeks at least $260 million in damages and claims Perry took advantage of his power in the entertainment industry to manipulate and silence Dixon.

ATTENTION: Click “HERE” to join our WhatsApp group and receive News updates directly on your WhatsApp!

“Mr. Perry took his success and power and used his considerable influence in the entertainment industry to create a coercive, sexually exploitative dynamic with Mr. Dixon — initially promising him career advancement and creative opportunities, such as producing his pilot and casting him in his show, only to subject him to escalating sexual harassment, assault and battery, and professional retaliation,” the filing states.

READ MORE: Lagos Police Interrogate Pastor Adefarasin Over Alleged Weapon Display

The lawsuit, submitted on Friday and first reported by TMZ, details alleged incidents beginning in 2019 when Dixon, then working as event staff at a Perry-hosted party, caught the filmmaker’s attention. He was later offered a minor role on Ruthless, followed by a more significant part in The Oval.

The court documents include screenshots of text messages Perry allegedly sent Dixon, including one that read, “What’s it going to take for you to have guiltless sex?”

As Perry’s alleged advances intensified, Dixon says he tried to remain cordial while setting clear boundaries. “Dixon did his best to tiptoe around Mr. Perry’s sexual aggression while keeping on Mr. Perry’s good side,” the lawsuit says. “Mr. Perry made it clear to Dixon that if Dixon ignored Perry or failed to engage with the sexual innuendoes, Dixon’s character would ‘die.’”

The suit alleges that Perry assaulted Dixon multiple times, including one incident where he allegedly stripped Dixon, groped him, and tried to force himself on him—only backing off when Dixon verbally resisted and steered the conversation away. Perry reportedly apologized the next day and promised to help Dixon produce a TV pilot titled Losing It, which he later bought the rights to.

Dixon claims the gesture, along with a salary increase, was a veiled attempt to keep him quiet. The show was never developed, which Dixon believes was intentional.

The filing also recounts another alleged assault in which Perry climbed into bed with Dixon while he was staying at Perry’s home and began groping him without consent.

Dixon eventually moved to Los Angeles to escape the situation. In 2024, he filed a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. After no action was taken, he resigned from the series.

Tyler Perry’s attorney, Matthew Boyd, has strongly denied the claims, saying in a statement: “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.”

The Oval is one of many shows created, written, directed, and executive produced by Perry, a key figure in film and television best known for his Madea franchise and his massive Atlanta-based production studio.

Coach Oleju Kate Says She Can’t Marry a Man Who Doesn’t Pay Tithes or Serve in Church

Media personality Coach Oleju Kate has sparked conversation online after declaring that she cannot marry a man who doesn’t serve in church or believe in paying tithes.

In a video shared on social media on Wednesday, the outspoken coach outlined the traits that automatically disqualify any potential suitor.