Tyler Perry Sued for $260M Over Harassment Allegations

- Derek Dixon files lawsuit accusing Tyler Perry of sexual misconduct
Hollywood mogul Tyler Perry is facing a $260 million lawsuit filed by actor Derek Dixon, who accuses Perry of sexual harassment, assault, and professional retaliation during their work together. Dixon, who appeared in Perry’s TV series Ruthless and The Oval, claims Perry used career opportunities to create a coercive and sexually exploitative environment between late 2019 and mid-2021.
According to court filings cited by several media outlets, Dixon alleges he met Perry at a studio event in Atlanta, where Perry initially offered him a small role in Ruthless. In January 2020, Dixon visited Perry’s home and, after drinking heavily, says he awoke in a guest room to find Perry in his bed touching his thighs. Though he rejected the advance, Dixon later landed a larger role on The Oval—a development he claims was followed by explicit messages and manipulation regarding his character’s arc.
The lawsuit cites texts from Perry allegedly saying, “No straight man would be going on walks with you or cooking dinner for you unless they wanted to fk you. I would fk you.” Dixon claims he feared his job would be at risk if he didn’t comply with Perry’s advances.
In a second alleged incident, during another visit to Perry’s home, Perry is said to have asked if Dixon “liked it rough” and then grabbed him by the throat. The most serious accusation involves an incident in June 2021, when Perry allegedly entered Dixon’s guest room, pulled down his underwear, groped him, and said, “Relax and just let it happen.”

Dixon says he endured continued harassment for two more years before filing a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) in June 2024, after which he left The Oval. He claims his departure cost him nearly $400,000 in lost income. The suit, filed against both Tyler Perry and Tyler Perry Studios, alleges quid pro quo harassment, sexual assault, and battery, and seeks $260 million in damages.
Perry’s attorney, Matthew Boyd, has strongly denied the allegations, calling them “completely fabricated” and suggesting that Dixon’s real goal is financial gain.
“This is someone who got close to Tyler Perry to set up what now looks like a scam,” Boyd said in a statement.
Dixon’s lawyer, Jonathan J. Delshad, responded briefly, stating the lawsuit speaks for itself, setting the stage for a potentially high-profile legal battle involving one of Hollywood’s most powerful figures.