An actor from Tyler Perry’s hit series The Oval has filed a lawsuit accusing the filmmaker of repeated sexual assault, harassment, and retaliation. Derek Dixon, who appeared in 85 episodes of the BET political drama, alleges Perry used his power in the entertainment industry to exploit and silence him.
The lawsuit was filed Friday in Los Angeles Superior Court and seeks at least $260 million in damages. Dixon claims Perry created a “coercive, sexually exploitative dynamic,” initially offering him career opportunities such as producing his pilot and casting him in The Oval, only to subject him to escalating sexual advances and abuse when Dixon refused to engage.
According to the suit, Perry first noticed Dixon in 2019 when he was working as event staff at a party. Perry then invited him to audition, leading to a small role in Perry’s series Ruthless, and eventually a larger part in The Oval. The lawsuit claims Perry began sending unwanted sexual messages to Dixon, some of which are included as alleged screenshots.
One message reportedly read, “What’s it going to take for you to have guiltless sex?” The suit alleges that as Dixon resisted, Perry’s advances became more forceful. At one point, Perry is accused of forcibly removing Dixon’s clothes, groping him, and attempting to assault him. Dixon says he clearly told Perry “No” and was only able to stop the incident by changing the subject.
The next day, Perry allegedly apologized and promised to support Dixon’s pilot project, Losing It. Dixon later received a raise, which he says was meant to keep him silent. The suit also describes other alleged incidents, including Perry climbing into Dixon’s bed uninvited and groping him.
Dixon claims he eventually moved to Los Angeles to create distance but continued facing harassment. He filed a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in 2024, and says he left The Oval after producers failed to act on his claims.
Tyler Perry’s attorney, Matthew Boyd, denies the accusations, calling them “fabricated” and describing the lawsuit as a scam. Perry, 55, is a major figure in television and film, known for creating the Madea franchise and building a large production empire.
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