Tyler Perry, a renowned figure in the entertainment industry, is currently embroiled in a legal battle as he faces allegations of sexual harassment and assault from an actor on his highly acclaimed BET series, The Oval. The accusations were formally presented through a lawsuit filed in Los Angeles on June 13.
Derek Dixon, whose portrayal of Dale has graced over 80 episodes of this White House-centric drama, seeks $260 million in punitive damages. This claim is directed at Perry, who wears multiple hats as the creator, writer, director, and executive producer of The Oval.
Dixon's lawsuit paints a distressing picture, alleging that Perry engaged in a pattern of harassment spanning several years. This included sending sexually explicit text messages and making unwelcome sexual advances toward him.
In response, Perry’s attorney, Matthew Boyd, dismissed the claims as a calculated attempt to exploit Perry's reputation. Speaking to our sister site Variety, Boyd stated, “This individual cultivated a relationship with Tyler Perry seemingly for the sole purpose of orchestrating a scam. Tyler will not be intimidated or coerced into silence. We are confident that these fabricated allegations of harassment will not withstand scrutiny.”
According to Dixon, the alleged misconduct began shortly after their initial meeting in 2019. At the time, Dixon was working for an event company that organized a party for one of Perry’s projects. This encounter paved the way for Dixon to appear in several episodes of Ruthless, a spinoff of The Oval, before his character transitioned to the main series.
The lawsuit recounts a troubling incident from 2020 when Dixon stayed overnight at Perry’s Atlanta residence. Unable to drive home due to intoxication, Perry reportedly offered hospitality by inviting him to stay in a guest room. However, Dixon claims that Perry followed him into bed and initiated suggestive touching. In response, Dixon asserts that he swiftly exited the bed, emphatically declaring that he "was not into sex."
A text exchange referenced in the suit further illustrates the alleged discomfort. Perry purportedly questioned Dixon about what it would take for him to experience "guiltless sex." When Dixon cited "religious guilt," Perry allegedly responded, “I have friends in their 50s and 60s who are still grappling with that, and it's truly disheartening. You can achieve freedom from religious guilt while still maintaining your faith in Christ.”
However, Dixon's allegations extend beyond his personal experiences. The lawsuit contends that Perry has exploited his position of power and influence to molest, abuse, and sexually assault impressionable and vulnerable individuals within his circle—actors and employees seeking guidance and mentorship as they pursue their dreams. Drawing parallels to high-profile figures such as Harvey Weinstein, Bill Cosby, and Sean “Diddy” Combs, Dixon portrays Perry as a predator hiding behind the facade of a mentor.
