Tyler Perry Sued for $260M Over Sexual Harassment
Hollywood mogul Tyler Perry is facing a massive $260 million lawsuit filed by actor Derek Dixon, best known for his role as Dale on Perry’s BET series The Oval. Filed in the Los Angeles Superior Court, the lawsuit accuses Perry of serious misconduct, including sexual harassment, assault, and emotional abuse. According to Dixon, these incidents occurred between 2020 and 2021, with the actor claiming that Perry made inappropriate advances and offered professional favors—such as key acting roles and development deals—in exchange for sexual activity. Dixon alleges that when he rejected these propositions, Perry retaliated by threatening to remove his character from the show.
In his complaint, Dixon details multiple instances of alleged assault, including incidents at Perry’s Georgia residence and during production-related trips. He claims that the psychological toll of the harassment left him struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder, insomnia, and other health problems. These issues eventually led him to leave The Oval before the final season, despite having a $400,000 contract. Dixon says he also filed a formal complaint with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) in 2024, prior to taking legal action. The lawsuit accuses Perry of fostering a toxic work environment and violating workplace protections against abuse and retaliation.
Messages that ensued between Tyler Perry and Derek Dixon has been shared online.
Through his legal representation, Tyler Perry has vehemently denied the allegations, calling them “completely false” and “an attempt at extortion.” Perry’s attorney has vowed to fight the claims vigorously in court. With both sides preparing for trial, the case is expected to attract significant media attention due to the high-profile nature of the parties involved. As it stands, Derek Dixon is seeking a jury trial and significant damages for what he describes as a campaign of exploitation and intimidation. The outcome could have serious implications not only for Perry’s media empire, but also for broader conversations around power dynamics in the entertainment industry.
Source: WashingtonPost
