In a significant legal development, Tyler Perry, the well-known creator of the TV series ‘The Oval,’ has been accused of sexual assault and harassment by actor Derek Dixon in a civil lawsuit filed in Los Angeles Superior Court.
The lawsuit claims that Perry exploited his position in the entertainment industry to manipulate and silence Dixon, who played a prominent role in ‘The Oval’ during its six-season run.
Dixon alleges that Perry initially lured him in with promises of career advancement and creative opportunities, only to subject him to increasing levels of sexual harassment and battery when Dixon rebuffed his advances.
Dixon is seeking at least $260 million in damages as he contends that this coercive dynamic, reportedly initiated during his tenure as a series regular on the show, had a profound negative impact on his professional life and mental well-being.
Perry’s attorney, Matthew Boyd, firmly denied the allegations, asserting that Dixon’s claims are an attempt to extort Perry.
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.”
According to the lawsuit, Perry first became aware of Dixon in 2019 when Dixon was part of the event staff at a party hosted by Perry. Shortly thereafter, Perry offered him an audition, which led to Dixon appearing in a minor role on the series ‘Ruthless’ before being cast more prominently in ‘The Oval.’
Yet, it is alleged that shortly after Dixon’s casting, Perry began sending unsolicited sexual text messages, with one message reportedly asking, “What’s it going to take for you to have guiltless sex?”
As the alleged harassment worsened, the lawsuit claims that Perry’s offers for increasingly significant roles were contingent on Dixon’s compliance with his sexual advances.
Dixon attempted to navigate this difficult situation while maintaining a friendly demeanor with Perry, stating in the lawsuit that he “did his best to tiptoe around Mr. Perry’s sexual aggression.”
Despite his attempts to set boundaries, Dixon was said to have felt the pressure as Perry often made clear that ignoring his advances could jeopardize Dixon’s role on the show.
One particularly alarming incident described in the lawsuit involves Perry allegedly sexually assaulting Dixon on several occasions, including an incident where Perry forcibly stripped him of his clothing and groped him against his will.
Though Dixon explicitly told Perry “No,” he was ignored at first and only managed to de-escalate the incident by changing the subject.
Perry later apologized, promising to collaborate with Dixon on a television pilot that Dixon was eager to produce. However, the lawsuit suggests that the subsequent raise Dixon received was part of Perry’s efforts to ensure his silence regarding the misconduct.
The actor’s fears about the potential fate of his character, including the possibility that it would be killed off, reportedly kept him quiet about the alleged abuses.
Perry also allegedly acquired the rights to Dixon’s pilot, titled ‘Losing It,’ but is accused of having no real intention of moving forward with the project, using it as leverage against Dixon instead.
The lawsuit recounts further incidents of sexual misconduct, including one where Perry purportedly entered Dixon’s guest room uninvited and groped him while he was staying over.
Dixon eventually made the decision to relocate from Atlanta, where Perry’s production studio is based, to Los Angeles in an effort to put distance between them; however, he reports that Perry continued to harass him even from afar.
In 2024, Dixon filed a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) regarding his experiences, but the lawsuit states that when he quit the show due to the producer’s inaction, his claims were again ignored.
The news of Dixon’s allegations has drawn attention to the power dynamics often present in the entertainment industry, highlighting the severe consequences of unchecked authority and the importance of creating safe environments for actors and performers.
Tyler Perry, who has enjoyed a successful career as a filmmaker and actor, is known not just for his work on ‘The Oval’ but also for the ‘Madea’ films and his ongoing contributions to both television and cinema. The current lawsuit adds a compelling and serious chapter to his already noteworthy legacy.
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