Tyler Perry Accused of Sexual Assault by “The Oval” Actor Derek Dixon in $260 Million Lawsuit

Tyler Perry is facing serious accusations of sexual assault and workplace harassment from actor Derek Dixon—best known for his role as Dale on Perry’s hit BET series The Oval. According to a lawsuit obtained by TMZ, Dixon is suing Perry and Tyler Perry Studios for sexual assault, battery, and quid pro quo harassment, seeking $260 million in damages.

The lawsuit outlines a troubling timeline that begins in 2019, when Dixon says he first met Perry at an event. According to Dixon, the filmmaker singled him out in the crowd, asked for his phone number, and suggested he might have a role for him. Dixon says Perry followed through by casting him in a small role on Ruthless, a series on BET+.

In January 2020, Dixon claims he was invited to Perry’s Atlanta home. Hoping to build a professional relationship, he accepted. However, he alleges that after drinking too much and sleeping in the guest room, Perry entered the room, got into the bed, and touched his thighs. Though he says he rejected the advance, the suit claims Perry continued pursuing him afterward.

Shortly after, Dixon was cast as Dale on The Oval. While this was a breakthrough role, he alleges that Perry’s behavior grew increasingly inappropriate. He claims Perry sent sexually suggestive text messages, asked about his sexual preferences, and openly shared his own, including stating he has sex with men.

Dixon also alleges Perry manipulated his professional role to reflect his personal desires. He says his character—written as a gay, homeless store clerk—mirrored traits Perry allegedly said he wanted in a partner: loyal, dependent, and submissive.

In another alleged incident later in 2020, Dixon says Perry invited him back to Atlanta and initiated a sexually charged conversation before grabbing him by the throat and making unwanted advances.

The lawsuit also includes graphic alleged text messages from Perry, such as:

“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.”

The most aggressive encounter, according to the lawsuit, occurred in June 2021. While Dixon was staying in Perry’s guesthouse, he claims the media mogul entered, pulled down his underwear, groped him, and said, “Relax and just let it happen. It won’t hurt.” Dixon says he managed to deescalate the situation by changing the subject.

Dixon claims he endured the harassment in silence for years out of fear of career retaliation. In June 2024, he says he finally filed a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and resigned from The Oval, citing the ongoing harassment.

In response, Tyler Perry’s attorney Matthew Boyd issued a strong denial:

“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 is ongoing, and developments are expected in the coming weeks as this high-profile case unfolds.

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