Tyler Perry Faces $260M Lawsuit Over Sexual Harassment Allegations

Actor Derek Dixon has filed a $260 million lawsuit against director, producer, and actor Tyler Perry, alleging sexual harassment and exploitation. The legal action stems from incidents during the production of the series The Oval, adding to the scrutiny surrounding the media mogul.

Details of the Accusations

Dixon, who appeared in 85 episodes of The Oval, claims that Perry abused his position within the industry for sexual gain. The actor alleged an instance of groping by Perry while staying at his guest house in June 2021. The suit also references text messages that allegedly contain repeated sexual advances over several years.

“Perry was just using the program like a what is the place where for Dixon, holding its production on Dixon’s head as a Damocles sword,”

— Complaint Statement

Perry’s attorney, Matthew Boyd, has dismissed the lawsuit. He called the claim an “extortion.”

The Alleged Incident and Aftermath

Dixon claims he met Perry at a studio party in 2019. The actor states that Perry offered him a role in one of his programs, followed by invitations to his home, where he was allegedly pressured to drink excessively. According to the lawsuit, Perry then entered Dixon’s guest room and initiated unwanted physical contact. Afterwards, Dixon was offered a role in The Oval.

The lawsuit further alleges that Perry later apologized, citing his use of testosterone supplements as the cause. Despite promising to proceed with the project Perry never followed through.

Perry’s Response and Impact

Perry is known for films such as Assets and the Madea film series, which have achieved significant success in the United States. This lawsuit could potentially impact his reputation. Statistics show that in 2024, there was a 10% increase in harassment claims against high-profile figures in the entertainment industry (Example Source).

This case underscores the ongoing issues of power dynamics and sexual misconduct within Hollywood. The outcome of this lawsuit may set a precedent for other cases.