Actor Derek Dixon has broken his silence in a widely watched interview, addressing his recent $260 million lawsuit against media mogul Tyler Perry. Dixon, known for his work on BET’s The Oval and Ruthless, says he felt compelled to come forward. “I couldn’t just let him get away with this,” he said in an exchange published by The Hollywood Reporter.
Legal Claims and New Revelations
Dixon filed the lawsuit on June 13 in Los Angeles Superior Court, alleging an escalating pattern of sexual harassment, assault, and retaliation by Perry. He detailed inappropriate advances, including explicit text messages asking, “What’s it going to take for you to have guiltless sex?”
Dixon recounts multiple alleged incidents. In one, he says Perry climbed into bed with him and began rubbing his thigh. “I immediately jumped out of the bed,” Dixon said, telling Entertainment Weekly, “I’m not that sexual,” and remained standing until Perry left the room.
On another occasion, Dixon said, Perry forcibly removed his clothing and groped him. “He grabbed my wrists to keep me from putting [my underwear] back on,” Dixon alleged, describing the incident as terrifying.
He said that he felt his role on The Oval was tied to his compliance with the mogul. Dixon recalled, “Every time I thought it would stop,” Perry would say afterwards, “We need to just be business. We need to just be professional.”
Dixon also revealed he reported the behavior to the EEOC in mid-2024. He said the claim went nowhere, and he ultimately left The Oval after suffering emotional and financial consequences. He has since been diagnosed with PTSD and lost nearly $400,000.
In the Hollywood Reporter interview, Dixon described bringing the case as “terrifying,” but said he could not remain silent any longer. He explained, “Everyone deserves to go to work and do their job without their boss trying to have sex with them,” emphasizing his motive to protect future creatives. “My goal is to help ensure that the next generation of actors and creatives don’t have to choose between their dreams and their dignity,” he said.
He reflected on why many, especially men, often do not come forward. “This is why people, especially men, don’t come forward,” he said. “I was too afraid to come forward. I knew it would be awful. And I was right,” Dixon added. He noted that private attempts to resolve such cases “never result in the type of change necessary,” fearing Perry may continue harming others if not held accountable.
Tyler Perry Response
Tyler Perry’s attorney, Matthew Boyd, has flatly denied the allegations. Boyd called the lawsuit a “scam” and labeled the claims “fabricated,” asserting, “Tyler will not be shaken down and we are confident these fabricated claims of harassment will fail.”
Dixon’s full interview airs tonight on ABC News Live PRIME. The lawsuit is ongoing in Los Angeles court and is being closely watched.