Tyler Perry, the renowned filmmaker, producer, and media mogul, is facing serious legal accusations in a $260 million lawsuit filed by actor Derek Dixon, who has appeared in Perry’s BET series The Oval. The actor alleges a series of sexual assaults, harassment, and professional retaliation over several years. Perry has categorically denied all allegations, with his legal team calling the lawsuit a fabricated attempt at extortion.
Filed in Georgia on June 13, the civil suit outlines disturbing claims involving alleged quid pro quo harassment, coercion, and sexual misconduct. Dixon, who portrays the character “Dale” in The Oval, alleges that his professional relationship with Perry evolved into one marked by repeated violations of his boundaries and well-being. The lawsuit includes detailed timelines and descriptions of interactions that allegedly began in 2019 and continued through 2024.
According to the complaint, Dixon met Perry in 2019 during the launch event for Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta. Dixon was working with an event planning company assigned to help manage the opening party. His role involved frequent interaction with Perry, and the two eventually exchanged phone numbers. From there, Perry reportedly expressed interest in mentoring Dixon, who was then an aspiring actor.
Dixon claims that not long after their initial contact, Perry began sending inappropriate messages and inviting him into increasingly personal settings under the guise of discussing career advancement. He was later cast in Perry’s show Ruthless, followed by a recurring role in The Oval. Dixon alleges that these professional opportunities came with implicit expectations tied to Perry’s interests.
The lawsuit describes a pivotal incident in January 2020 when Perry allegedly invited Dixon to his home in Douglas County, Georgia. After a night of drinks and conversation, Dixon was offered a guest room. It was during that stay that he claims Perry assaulted him. The complaint describes Dixon’s fear and hesitation following the alleged assault, claiming he tried to distance himself from Perry. However, Perry allegedly persisted in contacting him and later offered a role in The Oval, which Dixon interpreted as an effort to keep him close and compliant.
Dixon says he felt compelled to accept the role and remain silent, fearing that resistance could cost him his budding acting career. The complaint paints a picture of escalating misconduct, describing ongoing inappropriate communication, unwanted physical contact, and professional manipulation. Another alleged assault took place in Perry’s trailer on set after Dixon’s character was shot in an episode, suggesting his exit from the show and heightening his anxiety over job security.
The lawsuit further details an incident at a party on Perry’s private island in the Bahamas. Though the complaint does not elaborate in depth on what occurred during the event, it is included in a list of instances where Dixon says he was subjected to discomfort and harassment within the broader work environment.
By December 2020, Dixon claims the cumulative trauma from Perry’s actions had begun affecting his mental and physical health. He experienced emotional distress, bouts of anxiety, and symptoms of depression, eventually leading to a prescription for antidepressants. He alleges that Perry continued to make unwanted advances through early 2021.
One of the final alleged incidents occurred in June 2021, when Dixon was again invited to Perry’s home—this time, to discuss a pilot for a show Dixon created called Losing It. The actor alleges he was assaulted during that visit as well. Over time, he came to believe that Perry had no true intention of producing the show but instead used the promise of production as a way to maintain influence over him and keep him silent.
Dixon relocated to Santa Monica, California, in early 2023, hoping to gain physical and emotional distance from Perry. Still, according to the lawsuit, the pressure persisted. Perry allegedly continued dangling the promise of producing Losing It, even as Dixon increasingly began to feel the manipulation behind the offer. By 2024, Dixon decided to pursue legal action, stating he could no longer remain quiet about what he described as “the dark side of Tyler Perry.”
Legal representatives for Dixon have stated that their client will not comment publicly at this time. “We believe the complaint speaks for itself,” they said in a brief statement to the media.
Perry has responded strongly through his attorney, Matthew Boyd. In an official statement, Boyd said the allegations are entirely false and part of a calculated attempt to exploit Perry’s status and wealth. “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. “But Tyler will not be shaken down, and we are confident these fabricated claims of harassment will fail.”
TPS Production Services, Perry’s company, is also named in the suit. No additional statements have been made by the production firm. BET, which airs The Oval, has not yet responded to inquiries about the matter.
The case, still in its preliminary stages, could become one of the most scrutinized legal battles involving a high-profile figure in recent memory. With Tyler Perry’s public image rooted in philanthropy, faith, and resilience, the allegations represent a significant departure from the narrative that has long surrounded his brand.
Beyond the immediate legal implications, the lawsuit reopens industry-wide discussions about the balance of power in Hollywood, particularly regarding how powerful figures may leverage their influence over those still trying to build a career. The entertainment world, which has seen several #MeToo-related lawsuits and revelations over the past several years, may once again find itself facing questions about whether systemic safeguards are adequate for preventing abuse.
No criminal charges have been filed against Perry at this time, and the civil lawsuit will proceed through Georgia’s judicial system. Experts expect that discovery, depositions, and potential court proceedings could stretch on for months—or even years—before any resolution is reached.
In the meantime, the public is left to weigh competing narratives: one of a young actor alleging years of private torment, and the other of a powerful industry leader claiming to be the target of a baseless attack. Whatever the outcome, the case is likely to leave a lasting impact on both of their lives—and potentially, on the entertainment industry as a whole.
