American film and television mogul Tyler Perry has been sued for $260 million in a lawsuit filed by actor Derek Dixon.
Dixon has accused the 55-year-old mogul of sexual assault, battery, quid pro quo harassment, and workplace misconduct during his time on Perry’s hit series The Oval.
According to reports, the lawsuit was filed on June 13 in Los Angeles Superior Court.
Dixon, who played the character Dale in “The Oval” and its spinoff “Ruthless”, alleges that Perry used his power and influence in the entertainment industry to create a coercive, sexually exploitative dynamic while Dixon was employed as a series regular.
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What Happened Between Dixon and Tyler Perry?
According to the court documents obtained by The Independent, Dixon claims Perry initially promised him career opportunities, including producing a pilot Dixon had written and casting him in shows.
He, however, alleges that he was subjected to sexual harassment, assault, and retaliation after he refused Perry’s alleged advances.
The two reportedly met in September 2019, when Dixon was working with an events company involved in the launch of Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta, Georgia.
Perry allegedly began texting Dixon, sometimes offering professional help, other times making sexual overtures. Dixon accepted a role in The Oval and quit his events job.
In the suit, Dixon claims Perry’s behavior intensified. One mentioned incident occurred in 2020, when Perry allegedly climbed into bed with Dixon after a night of drinking.
In addition, Perry is accused of groping Dixon’s buttocks aggressively in a trailer.
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Dixon reveals Why he Had to Quit The Oval
Dixon has explained that he feared he would lose his job if he outright rejected Perry.
At the end of one season, Perry allegedly wrote Dixon’s character to be shot multiple times, leaving his fate unclear.
Dixon interpreted it as a veiled threat about his role on the show being contingent on personal compliance.
Other incidents outlined in the suit include an alleged assault during a 2020 trip to the Bahamas, and another in 2021, while Dixon was staying at Perry’s guesthouse.
Fearing sexual assault, Dixon claims he locked himself in a bathroom overnight.
Days later, Perry allegedly called him, blamed his behavior on testosterone supplements, and again promised to produce his show, an offer that was never fulfilled.
Following his complaints, Dixon says the production team failed to investigate or take action.
Additionally, he felt unsafe and unsupported, and was forced to quit the show before its final season, costing him approximately Ksh51,600,000 ($400,000) in lost income.
The lawsuit further states that Dixon suffered from severe depression, anxiety, physical symptoms, and was diagnosed with PTSD due to the alleged misconduct.
He is seeking Ksh33.5 billion ($260 million) in damages, plus legal costs.
In response, Matthew Boyd, an attorney for Perry and TPS Production Services, dismissed the claims, calling them “fabricated”.
“Dixon is someone who got close to Tyler Perry for what now appears to be nothing more than setting up a scam. Tyler will not be shaken down,” he said.
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