Tyler Perry is currently facing allegations of sexual assault made by an actor from his popular series, “The Oval.”
Derek Dixon has initiated a lawsuit against Perry, claiming that they crossed paths at an event in 2019.
According to Derek, Tyler singled him out from the audience and requested his contact information, hinting at a potential role for him.
As it turns out, he did end up providing an opportunity. Derek states that Tyler assigned him a minor part in two episodes of a series titled “Ruthless.”
Later, in January 2020, Derek mentions that Tyler invited him to his home in Atlanta.
He accepted the invitation, hoping to develop a friendship that would lead to additional acting opportunities.
However, the lawsuit claims that during his visit, Derek consumed too much alcohol and ended up spending the night in a guest room.
Derek alleges that Tyler joined him in bed and began to touch his thighs, and despite rejecting his advances that evening, he asserts that Tyler continued to show interest.
Afterward, Derek claims he secured the role of Dale in “The Oval,” which he viewed as a significant step in his career.
However, he states that during this period, Tyler began to send him sexually suggestive messages, such as inquiring about Drew’s sexual preferences and admitting he has encounters with men.
Derek also mentions that his character, Dale, was portrayed as a gay, homeless clerk who needed to engage with others for shelter.
He claims that this was precisely what Tyler indicated he was searching for in a real-life partner—someone who would be devoted and reliant on him.
Derek expresses concern that if he outright rejected Tyler, it could jeopardize his career, so instead he told him he simply wasn’t “the sexual type,” all while being fearful of losing his job if he reported any harassment.
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In this regard, he notes that Tyler invited him to Atlanta again later in 2020, but the situation allegedly took a troubling turn.
Derek asserts that Perry welcomed him with enthusiasm but quickly steered the conversation toward sexual topics, like inquiring if he “enjoys it rough in bed,” before allegedly grabbing Derek by the throat and saying, “Look how excited you just got.”
He claims then he pushed Tyler away, marking the end of that supposed incident.
The lawsuit contains years of text messages allegedly exchanged between the two men, many of which Tyler purportedly sent with a sexual undertone.
For example, one message states, “No straight man would be going on walks with you or cooking dinner for you unless they wanted to have sex with you. I would have sex with you.”
The most severe occurrence reportedly took place in June 2021 at Tyler’s residence in Atlanta.
Dixon was in the guest quarters and dressed only in his underwear when he claims Tyler entered to offer him a goodnight hug.
He asserts that Tyler pulled his underwear down, fondled him, and said, “Just relax and let it happen,” while assuring him it wouldn’t cause any pain.
Dixon states he was able to turn down this proposition by changing the topic.
Dixon is filing a lawsuit for quid pro quo, workplace sexual harassment, along with sexual assault and battery, seeking $260 million in damages.
Tyler’s lawyer, Matthew Boyd, stated, “This is someone who got close to Tyler Perry, which now seems to be merely an attempt to orchestrate a scam.
However, Tyler will not be extorted, and we are confident these fabricated allegations of harassment will not succeed.”