Tyler Perry is facing serious allegations from The Oval actor Derek Dixon, who claims the media mogul sexually assaulted him on multiple occasions over several years.
According to a new lawsuit obtained by TMZ, Dixon alleges that Perry first approached him in 2019, offering a small role on Ruthless, before things allegedly escalated.
Dixon says Perry invited him to his home in Atlanta in January 2020. After drinking too much, Dixon claims he slept in a guest room and woke up to Perry in his bed, touching his thighs. He says he rejected the advances but alleges Perry continued to pursue him.
The lawsuit also claims that Dixon eventually landed a recurring role as Dale on The Oval, but that Perry allegedly sent sexually suggestive messages, including inquiries about his preferences and comments about wanting to sleep with him.
One such text allegedly read, “No straight man would be going on walks with you or cooking dinner for you unless they wanted to f–k you. I would f–k you.”
Dixon also describes another incident in June 2021, claiming Perry pulled down his underwear during a “goodnight hug” and told him, “Relax and just let it happen.” He says he managed to deflect by changing the subject.
After allegedly enduring this behavior for years, Dixon filed a formal complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in 2024 and left The Oval shortly after.
He is now suing Tyler Perry and Tyler Perry Studios for sexual harassment, sexual assault and battery, and quid pro quo, seeking $260 million in damages.
Tyler Perry’s legal team has called the accusations false. In a statement to TMZ, his attorney Matthew Boyd said, “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.”
As of now, Perry has not made a public statement himself.
