In a bold legal move, actor Derek Dixon has filed a civil lawsuit seeking 260 million dollars in damages, alleging that media mogul Tyler Perry sexually assaulted and harassed him while promising career advancement in exchange for compliance. The suit, filed in June 2025 in Los Angeles Superior Court, names Perry, Tyler Perry Studios, And Action LLC, and other entities as defendants and outlines a series of escalating misconduct spanning from 2019 to 2024 .
Dixon alleges that his introduction to Perry occurred in 2019 during an event, after which Perry offered him a small role on the BET+ series Ruthless—a promise that soon evolved into a recurring part as “Dale” on The Oval, where Dixon appeared in 85 episodes between 2021 and 2025 . According to the court documents, Perry’s initial offers of creative opportunities contained hidden strings, which culminated in a coercive environment marked by sexual harassment and assault when Dixon rejected his advances .
The complaint includes specific allegations of misconduct, such as suggestive text messages—one stating, “What’s it going to take for you to have guiltless sex?”—and physical assault during a cast trip and at Perry’s home in Atlanta. Dixon claims that Perry climbed into bed with him, rubbed his leg, forcibly removed his clothing, groped his buttocks, and pulled down his underwear while insisting Dixon “just go with it,” despite Dixon’s resistance . The complaint also outlines medical distress—stress-induced insomnia, low cortisol, and other symptoms—and describes professional retaliation, including his character being potentially written off the show and his eventual departure after filing an Equal Employment Opportunity Commission complaint in 2024 .
In his first televised interview since filing the lawsuit, Dixon expressed the emotional toll of coming forward, describing the process as “terrifying” and revealing the intertwined feelings of shame, fear of judgement, and regret over how he might have handled the situation differently . He stated that the 260 million dollars sought is meant to compensate for lost income, a stifled project, and to serve as a deterrent to powerful figures who might exploit their positions in the future . Dixon emphasized his goal: to protect the next generation of actors and creatives from having to choose between their dreams and their dignity .
Tyler Perry’s legal team, led by attorney Matthew Boyd, has issued strong denials, labeling the lawsuit a “fabricated” scam, asserting Perry will not be “shaken down,” and expressing confidence that the claims will fail in court .
The case remains ongoing, drawing significant attention given Perry’s longstanding stature in Hollywood—as a prolific creator and billionaire media figure. As of now, no resolution has been reached, and legal proceedings continue toward an anticipated trial .
