Tyler Perry Faces $260 Million Lawsuit from 'The Oval' Actor Derek Dixon for Alleged Sexual Harassment

Published: July 11, 2025

Tyler Perry, the renowned entertainment mogul, has been hit with a $260 million lawsuit from actor Derek Dixon, who alleges that Perry subjected him to repeated sexual harassment and assault during his time working on Perry's TV series "The Oval".

Dixon, who appeared in 85 episodes of the show from 2021 to 2025, claims that Perry's behavior towards him was a "sustained pattern of workplace sexual harassment, assault, and retaliation". According to court documents, Dixon alleges that Perry sent him sexually suggestive text messages, including one asking "What's it going to take for you to have guiltless sex?"

The lawsuit also details multiple incidents of alleged sexual assault, including one at Perry's guest house in Georgia where the producer allegedly pulled down Dixon's underwear and groped his buttocks. Dixon claims that he refused Perry's advances and walked a fine line, keeping his interactions with Perry professional but friendly enough to remain in his good graces.

In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Dixon said, "Everyone deserves to go to work and do their job without their boss trying to have sex with them. My goal is to help ensure that the next generation of actors and creatives don't have to choose between their dreams and their dignity."

Perry's attorney, Matthew Boyd, has denied Dixon's allegations, calling them "fabricated claims". Boyd stated, "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."

Dixon has reported the alleged abuse to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and the case is pending. Despite the lawsuit, Dixon fears that Perry "will be able to continue doing this without any major consequences".

Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.

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