Tyler Perry sued for sexually harassing 'The Oval' actor over 4 years
Tyler Perry sued for sexually harassing 'The Oval' actor over 4 years
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Love Tyler Perry? Emory University has a course on his life, career
Dr. Tameka Cage Conley has created a course in Emory University's Oxford College on the life of filmmaker, actor and philanthropist Tyler Perry.
Ariana Triggs, USA TODAY
Tyler Perry has been sued by an actor alleging Perry threatened the man's series regular role on TV and for several years used his "professional power for sexual leverage."
Derek Dixon on June 13 filed a lawsuit against Perry – an actor, writer and director known for films from the wide-ranging "Madea" franchise as well as the new Netflix thriller "Straw" – alleging quid pro quo sexual harassment, work environment harassment, sexual assault and battery, retaliation and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
According to the complaint, obtained by USA TODAY June 17, Dixon is seeking $260 million due to allegedly being targeted by Perry, who he said sought "a coercive, sexually exploitative dynamic with Mr. Dixon." Perry initially approached Dixon with career opportunities and cast him in the BET+ show "Ruthless," the lawsuit says. Dixon eventually ended up on the BET show "The Oval," which is Dixon's biggest onscreen credit; he appeared in 85 episodes from 2021 to 2025, per IMDB.
Perry then subjected Dixon "to escalating sexual harassment, assault and battery, and professional retaliation when Mr. Dixon did not reciprocate Mr. Perry's unwanted advances," Dixon claims. This led to Dixon allegedly quitting in Season 6.
TMZ was first to report the news.
Tyler Perry's lawyer accuses Derek Dixon of 'setting up a scam'
Perry's lawyer denied the allegations in a statement shared with USA TODAY.
"This is an individual who got close to Tyler Perry for what now appears to be nothing more than setting up a scam," said attorney Matthew Boyd. "But Tyler will not be shaken down and we are confident these fabricated claims of harassment will fail."
Accuser: Tyler Perry 'provided vulnerable men with acting positions', expected 'gratification'
Dixon says he first met Perry while working at Perry's studio opening party in September 2019 and was offered a chance to audition for one of Perry's TV projects. Months later, in January 2020, Perry allegedly made his first physical advances on Dixon.
Describing Perry as "a powerful media mogul," Dixon leveled claims of an alleged "sustained pattern of workplace sexual harassment, assault, and retaliation." Throughout his lawsuit, Dixon leveled claims of "sexual aggression," including over text, and provided screenshots.
"Using his influence, Mr. Perry provided vulnerable men with acting positions, roles, show contracts, cars, and money. Once the object of his desire was hooked, Tyler Perry would then put them in fear of losing it all unless they engaged in Mr. Perry's perverted desire for sexual gratification," Dixon's lawsuit reads.
"Mr. Perry would easily ''ill off' a character in a show of an actor who failed to indulge Perry's sexual fantasies," the suit continues.
In turn, "Fearing that his career would end before it began, Dixon put up with these comments and continued to maintain that he was not the sexual type," the actor alleges.
If you or someone you know has experienced sexual violence, RAINN's National Sexual Assault Hotline offers free, confidential, 24/7 support in English and Spanish via chat and at 800-656-4673.
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