Tyler Perry Hit With Sexual Assault Lawsuit Amid Trending 'Straw' Movie
Tyler Perry is in the news again, this time for a scandalous reason!
The famous movie producer, who is being talked about for his latest Netflix movie "Straw," has now been sued for sexual assault by a cast member in his hit show "The Oval."
Tyler Perry's accuser, Derek Dixon, claimed the assault began in 2020 after the filmmaker approached him to offer him a role in one or more of his productions.
Dixon claimed that after Perry took his number and promised to get in touch in 2019, he then offered him a two-episode role in a show titled "Ruthless."
Afterward, the producer reportedly invited him to his home in 2020, with the hope that a friendship between them would lead to more acting roles, so he accepted the offer.
While there, Dixon recalled passing the night in the guest room as he was too intoxicated. As the night went on, Perry reportedly got into bed with him and started rubbing his thighs; although he rejected his advances, Perry remained committed to winning him over.
After that episode, Dixon landed a significant role as Dale in "The Oval," and then his alleged nightmare started with the sexually suggested texts from Perry getting intense. Perry also informed him that he bears a sexual preference for men.
Dixon also drew similarities between his on-screen role and the type of men Perry reportedly preferred - loyal and dependent on him. He described Dale in the show as gay, homeless, and desperate, who had to offer sex in return for assistance or favors.
As confirmed by TMZ, Dixon reportedly told Perry off quietly, fearing that doing so with firmness might affect his growing acting career and damage his standing with the producer.
Dixon disclosed revisiting Perry in 2020 in Atlanta. What reportedly began as a warm exchange turned into sexual charges as Perry reportedly grabbed the actor's throat and said suggestive words.
The lawsuit also carried evidence of text messages exchanged between Perry and Dixon where he reportedly said, "No straight man would be going on walks with you or cooking dinner for you unless they wanted to f-ck you. I would f-ck you."
He added that another scary incident happened in 2021 at Perry's Atlanta home, where he was staying. He recalled wearing nothing but underwear and the producer undressing him after he came in to hug him goodbye.
After these series of alleged encounters, Dixon claimed he forwarded a complaint to the Equal Employment and Opportunity Commission in June 2024. He even quit "The Oval" based on finding the constant sexual harassment unbearable.
He is now suing the producer and his firm, Tyler Perry Studios, for quid pro quo, workplace sexual harassment, sexual assault, and battery. Dixon also wants $260 million in damages.
Dixon's accusations come right on the heels of the actor's blazing-hot success with his latest movie, which was dropped on Netflix. Titled "Straw," the film features Taraji P. Henson as the lead actor playing the role of Janiyah Wiltkinson.
Since its release on Netflix, "Straw" has sparked numerous conversations centered around the filmmaker's talent. While some view the story as his best one yet, others think it reinforces the narrative of him portraying a Black woman who cannot get her life together in yet another of his movies.
The stats for the movie are living up to the hype as well. In the week of June 2 to June 8, "Straw" reportedly gathered over 45 million hours of viewing from subscribers on Netflix in just two days following its release on June 6.
Data on Netflix also shows that the movie was in the top 10 in 81 countries worldwide. It topped the charts in countries such as the United States, Venezuela, Bolivia, El Salvador, Jamaica, Martinique, Mexico, and Panama, among others.
As 2024 rounded up, Perry's home was targeted by masked intruders who attempted to break into his sanctuary and part with his valuables. The Blast shared that law enforcement officers identified four mask-wearing raiders who wanted to infiltrate the building.
Thanks to the producer's sophisticated security system, the invaders were immediately captured with the home's thermal imaging camera, which alerted the security guards on the property, forcing the invaders to leave.
Items recovered from the scene revealed that the invaders came with tools, including crowbars, bolt cutters, screwdrivers, gloves, a hat, and a saw. Authorities also discovered a cell phone alongside these sharp objects.
By the time the building's security personnel called the Los Angeles Police Department to report the incident, the suspects had fled, resulting in zero arrests and only reports for attempted burglary and investigation.
The producer lent his voice to advocate for better treatment of victims of the Los Angeles wildfires as they dealt with the aftermath of the damage. Perry reacted to the decision of the insurance companies to cancel policies for homeowners in Los Angeles before the wildfires.
"Watching a daughter use a garden hose to try to protect her 90-year-old parents' home because their insurance was canceled was just gut-wrenching to me," wrote the actor on his Instagram story.
He wondered why the insurance companies would decide to leave the homeowners without a safety net, especially after they had paid premiums all their lives.
"Does anyone else find it appalling that insurance companies can take billions of dollars out of communities for years and then, all of a sudden, be allowed to cancel millions of policies for the very people they became rich on?" he stated further as he asked how he could offer comfort to the affected parties.
Perry's questions also raised attention to the issue as his colleagues contributed to the discourse, wondering about the legal basis for such acts by these companies.
Will Tyler Perry's new case go to trial, or is a settlement around the corner?
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