Tyler Perry Sued by Actor Derek Dixon for Alleged Assault
Derek Dixon, known for his role as Dale on Tyler Perry’s show Oval, has filed a lawsuit against the well-known Hollywood figure, alleging sexual assault and ongoing harassment.
Dixon claims that Perry approached him during the N Event in 2019, asking for his phone number. This encounter marked the start of Perry’s interest in Dixon, who, interestingly, had previously appeared in two episodes of another Perry series, Cold, making this role his first significant credit.
In the lawsuit, Dixon mentions that Perry invited him to his home in Atlanta in January 2020, under the pretense of fostering a friendship that could lead to more acting opportunities. However, things took a troubling turn when, after drinking too much, Dixon ended up in Perry’s guest room. He alleges that Perry joined him in bed and began to inappropriately touch him.
Despite Dixon’s repeated rejections throughout the night, he claims Perry persisted. After landing the role of Dale on Oval, who is depicted as a gay homeless clerk, Dixon states that Perry began sending him sexually charged messages, probing into his sexual preferences and making implications about Perry’s own relationships.
Although Dixon expressed discomfort about the topic and felt he didn’t fit the “sexual type” Perry was looking for, he feared that voicing any complaints would cost him his job, particularly as Perry’s influence loomed large.
The lawsuit also details another visit to Perry’s home in 2020, where Dixon alleges Perry forcefully commented on his physical demeanor and asked inappropriate questions regarding his preferences in bed.
Perry’s team has labeled the claims as fraudulent, stating that text exchanges included in the lawsuit support their view. One particularly striking allegation claims, “A straight guy will not cook dinner or hang out with you unless he wants something more.”
In a separate incident in June 2021, Dixon alleges that during another stay, Perry confronted him in just his underwear, claiming the director groped him while making troubling remarks about relaxing during the situation.
Subsequently, Dixon filed a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in June 2024, which preceded his resignation from Oval, citing sexual harassment as a key factor in his decision.
Now seeking $260 million in damages, Dixon’s lawsuit outlines various charges, including workplace harassment, sexual assault, and battery against both Perry and Tyler Perry Studios.
Perry’s lawyer has responded, suggesting that this case appears to be a scheme against the filmmaker, asserting that Perry remains unfazed and confident the allegations will not hold up in court.
