Tyler Perry Sued for $260M Over Alleged Sexual Harassment and Assault on Set

Filmmaker Tyler Perry faces a staggering $260 million lawsuit from actor Derek Dixon, who alleges sexual harassment, assault, and retaliation during his time on Perry’s shows The Oval and Ruthless. Dixon claims Perry lured him with promises of career advancement, only to subject him to a coercive, sexually exploitative dynamic that escalated over time.

The lawsuit, filed June 13, details Dixon’s accusations that Perry’s advances began in 2019 at the opening of Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta. After landing a role as Dale in Ruthless, Dixon alleges Perry’s behavior turned predatory, including inappropriate texts and demands for attention. By January 2020, Dixon claims he was sexually assaulted, followed by an offer to star in The Oval. The complaint chillingly notes Perry threatened to kill off Dixon’s character if he didn’t comply with sexual innuendos, a threat realized when Dale was shot four times in the season finale.

Further incidents, including alleged groping during a Bahamas cast trip and another assault in 2021, left Dixon with severe stress, insomnia, and a PTSD diagnosis. Despite Perry’s alleged attempts to placate him with raises and promises to produce Dixon’s pilot, Losing It, the actor says the trauma persisted, costing him nearly $400,000 in losses.

Perry’s attorney, Matthew Boyd, called the claims a fabricated shakedown, asserting Perry’s confidence in defeating the lawsuit. Dixon seeks a jury trial and damages for sexual harassment, assault, and emotional distress.