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Actors

Tyler Perry Accused of Workplace Sexual Harassment, Assault, and Retaliation

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

An actor has filed a complaint against Tyler Perry, alleging a sustained pattern of workplace sexual harassment, assault, and retaliation. Derek Dixon, a regular on Perry's drama The Oval for multiple seasons, reported experiencing escalating sexual harassment, assault and battery, and professional retaliation when he did not reciprocate Perry's unwanted advances. The complaint, filed in the Superior Court of California in Los Angeles, is seeking $260 million in damages. Perry's attorney dismissed the lawsuit as a "scam," stating that the claims of harassment will fail.

Key Takeaways:

  • Derek Dixon, a 46-year-old actor, filed a 46-page complaint against Tyler Perry, alleging workplace sexual harassment, assault, and retaliation.
  • Dixon met Perry in 2019 at a party in Atlanta, where Perry was opening Tyler Perry Studios, and was subsequently offered a small role on the show Ruthless.
  • The lawsuit includes texts between Dixon and Perry, in which Perry discussed his sexual desires to Dixon, and alleges that Perry groped Dixon's buttocks on multiple occasions.
  • Dixon alleged that Perry attempted to choke him during a meeting at Perry's home in 2020, and that Perry was inebriated during the events on set and at his home.
  • Dixon tried to stay polite and feared that his career would end if he outright rejected Perry's advances.
  • The complaint alleges that Dixon experienced escalating physical and emotional harm, including assault and battery, and professional retaliation.
  • Dixon filed a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and quit his acting job on The Oval in mid-2024.

Statistics:

  • $260 million: the amount of damages sought by Derek Dixon in the complaint.
  • 46 pages: the length of the complaint filed by Dixon.
  • 2019: the year in which Dixon met Perry at a party in Atlanta.
  • 2020: the year in which Dixon alleges that Perry attempted to choke him and groped him on multiple occasions.
  • Multiple seasons: the number of seasons for which Dixon was a regular on Perry's drama The Oval.

Sources:

  • Superior Court of California in Los Angeles
  • Matthew Boyd (Tyler Perry's attorney)
  • Derek Dixon (complainant)
  • AJC (newspaper article)

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