Film producer and director Tyler Perry is facing serious allegations after actor Derek Dixon filed a lawsuit accusing him of sexual assault and harassment.
Tyler Perry sexual assault lawsuit: Here’s what we know
The lawsuit, first reported by TMZ, comes just days after Perry was honoured with the Ultimate Icon Award at the 2025 BET Awards.
Dixon, who appeared on Perry’s TV shows The Oval and Ruthless, claims that the filmmaker used his position of power to engage in inappropriate and unwanted sexual behaviour over a period of years. He is seeking $260 million in damages.
According to the legal documents, Dixon says he met Perry at an event in 2019, where Perry allegedly approached him, asked for his phone number, and offered him a small acting role.
Soon after, Dixon was cast in two episodes of Ruthless and later secured a regular role as Dale in The Oval.
Dixon claims that in January 2020, Perry invited him to his Atlanta home. Dixon says he drank too much and ended up sleeping in a guest room. He alleges that Perry entered the room and touched his thighs while he was in bed. Although Dixon says he rejected the advance, he claims Perry continued to pursue him.
Texts and on-set pressure
In his lawsuit, Dixon says Perry began sending sexually suggestive text messages.
One message reportedly read:
“No straight man would be going on walks with you or cooking dinner for you unless they wanted to f*** you. I would f*** you.”
Dixon says he felt trapped and feared losing his job if he pushed back or filed a complaint.
He also alleges that his character on The Oval was written to mirror what Perry allegedly wanted in a personal relationship — someone dependent and submissive.
Dixon says Perry told him he wanted a sexual partner who, like the character Dale, would be loyal and rely on him.
The most aggressive incident allegedly occurred in June 2021. Dixon claims that while staying at Perry’s guest house, Perry entered the room, pulled down his underwear, groped him, and said, “Relax and just let it happen.”
Dixon says he deflected by changing the subject.
In June 2024, Dixon filed a formal complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. He later quit The Oval, stating he could no longer tolerate the alleged behaviour.
Dixon is suing Perry and Tyler Perry Studios for workplace sexual harassment, sexual assault, and “quid pro quo” — a legal term that refers to someone offering job benefits in exchange for sexual favours.
Perry’s lawyer, Matthew Boyd, responded, calling the allegations a “scam.” He said:
“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.”
The lawsuit was filed shortly after Perry received major public recognition at the BET Awards. In his acceptance speech, Perry discussed his childhood, his motivations for creating Tyler Perry Studios, and his commitment to inspiring black youth.
He described his studio’s location — a former Confederate base — as a symbol of black empowerment, saying, “Now that land is owned by one negro.”
The case is ongoing, and no court date has been set for trial.
