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Actors

Tyler Perry Accused of Repeatedly Sexually Assaulting and Harassing Actor Derek Dixon

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Derek Dixon, an actor who worked on Tyler Perry's TV drama "The Oval," has filed a lawsuit alleging that Perry leveraged his industry power to repeatedly sexually assault and harass him while keeping him quiet. The lawsuit seeks at least $260 million in damages. Perry's attorney has denied the allegations, calling them "fabricated" and a "scam." Dixon claims that Perry started making unwanted sexual advances towards him in 2019 and that the abuse continued until he quit the show in 2024.

Key Takeaways:

  • The lawsuit alleges that Tyler Perry used his industry power to create a coercive, sexually exploitative dynamic with Derek Dixon, promising him career advancement and creative opportunities before subjecting him to escalating sexual harassment, assault, and battery.
  • Dixon claims that Perry first noticed him in 2019 and offered him an audition, which led to a small role on the Perry series "Ruthless" and later a more prominent role on "The Oval."
  • The lawsuit includes screenshots of several unwanted sexual text messages from Perry to Dixon, including one that asked "What's it going to take for you to have guiltless sex?"
  • Dixon alleges that he tried to maintain boundaries and keep Perry at arm's length, but Perry retaliated by threatening to kill off his character if he didn't comply.
  • The lawsuit describes several instances of physical assault, including an occasion where Perry "forcibly pulled off Mr. Dixon's clothing, groped his buttocks, and attempted to force himself on Dixon."
  • Dixon claims that Perry eventually apologized and offered to work with him on a TV pilot, but the lawsuit alleges that this was just an attempt to keep him quiet.
  • The lawsuit also alleges that Perry bought the rights to the pilot and had no intention of selling it, but used it as leverage over Dixon.

Statistics:

  • $260 million: The minimum amount of damages Dixon is seeking in the lawsuit.
  • 85 episodes: The number of episodes Dixon appeared in on "The Oval."
  • 2019: The year in which Dixon claims that Perry started making unwanted sexual advances towards him.
  • 2024: The year in which Dixon quit the show and filed a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

Sources:

  • TMZ
  • Los Angeles Superior Court
  • AP News Wire

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