American actor, filmmaker, and playwright, Tyler Perry, is facing a serious sexual assault accusation from Derek Dixon, an actor on his show “The Oval,” in what Perry’s team is vehemently denying as a “scam,” TMZ reports.
In a newly filed lawsuit, Dixon claims he met Perry in 2019 at an event where the director allegedly took his number with the promise of a role. Dixon says he subsequently received a minor part in two episodes of Perry’s show “Ruthless.”
The suit details an alleged incident in January 2020 where Dixon claims Perry invited him to his Atlanta home. After Dixon allegedly drank too much and fell asleep in a guest room, he states that Perry entered the room and began touching his thighs. While Dixon claims he rejected these advances, he alleges Perry remained persistent.
Also Read: Fat Joe hit with explosive lawsuit alleging sex with minors; Rapper calls it disgusting lies
Dixon further states that shortly after this, he secured the role of Dale on “The Oval.” However, around this time, he claims Perry began sending sexually suggestive text messages. Dixon also notes that his character on “The Oval” was written as a gay, homeless man who had to engage in sexual acts for shelter, mirroring what Perry allegedly told Dixon he sought in a partner – someone loyal and dependent.
Another alleged incident occurred later in 2020 at Perry’s Atlanta residence. Dixon claims Perry initiated a sexually charged conversation, including asking if Dixon liked “it rough in bed,” and then allegedly grabbed Dixon by the throat.
The lawsuit includes purported text messages between the two men, with many of the messages allegedly from Perry containing sexual content.
The most aggressive incident, according to the suit, occurred in June 2021 at Perry’s Atlanta home. Dixon claims Perry entered the guest house where he was staying, pulled down his underwear, groped his butt, and told him to “Relax and just let it happen.” Dixon states he managed to deflect this alleged advance.
According to the lawsuit, Dixon filed a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in June 2024 and subsequently quit “The Oval,” citing the alleged ongoing sexual harassment.
Dixon is now suing Tyler Perry and Tyler Perry Studios for quid pro quo and workplace sexual harassment, as well as sexual assault and battery, seeking a staggering $260 million in damages.
Perry’s attorney, Matthew Boyd, has firmly refuted the allegations, stating, “This is an individual who got close to Tyler Perry for what now appears to be nothing more than setting up a scam. But Tyler will not be shaken down, and we are confident these fabricated claims of harassment will fail.” The story is still developing.
TMZ