Actor Derek Dixon has spoken publicly for the first time since filing a $260 million lawsuit accusing Hollywood producer and filmmaker Tyler Perry of sexual harassment and assault during his time working on Perry’s BET shows The Oval and Ruthless.
In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter (THR), Dixon, who is in his late 30s and openly gay, explained his decision to pursue legal action:
“I couldn’t just let him get away with this,” Dixon said. “Everyone deserves to go to work and do their job without their boss trying to have sex with them. My goal is to help ensure that the next generation of actors and creatives don’t have to choose between their dreams and their dignity.”
According to the legal documents filed last month, Dixon alleges that Perry, 55, attempted to initiate a coercive, sexually exploitative dynamic during their professional relationship. He claims Perry pinned him against a wall, groped him, and snuck into his bed in a separate alleged incident.
The two reportedly met in September 2019 during the opening event of Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta, where Dixon was working as an event coordinator. He claims Perry took an immediate interest, asked if he was an actor, and exchanged contact information. Shortly after, Dixon was cast as Dale in Ruthless, a spin-off of The Oval.
Dixon alleges that Perry began sending text messages the following day, including questions like: “So who are you? What’s the dream? What do you want to do?”
The actor stated he was unaware of Perry’s interest in men and did not initially interpret the interactions as inappropriate. However, he claims the situation escalated quickly into unwanted sexual attention and advances.
“Regardless of his sexual orientation or gender,” Dixon said, “he should not be speaking to any of his employees — whether they be men or women, gay, straight, or bisexual — about their sexual preferences, how often they’re having sex, and physically assaulting them.”
In response to the allegations, Tyler Perry’s legal team has strongly denied the claims. Attorney Matthew Boyd dismissed the lawsuit as a baseless “shake down.”
“This is an individual who got close to Tyler Perry for what now appears to be nothing more than setting up a scam,” Boyd said. “We are confident these fabricated claims of harassment will fail.”
The case has sparked intense public debate, especially given Perry’s high-profile influence in the entertainment industry and longstanding philanthropic reputation.
As the legal battle unfolds, many in the industry are watching closely — not only to see how the courts rule, but also for its potential impact on broader conversations about power dynamics, workplace conduct, and accountability in Hollywood.
