Weeks after filing his $260 million lawsuit, actor Derek Dixon has finally spoken publicly. He detailed alleged incidents of unwanted sexual behavior by Tyler Perry. Dixon said he feared he would be disbelieved. He also shared why he chose now to speak out
Dixon, known for his role on The Oval, told The Hollywood Reporter, “I couldn’t just let him get away with this.” He explained he delayed coming forward because he feared backlash. “This is why people, especially men, don’t come forward,” he said.
He emphasized systemic issues in the industry. “There are always attempts to resolve situations like this privately,” Dixon noted. “But they never result in the type of change necessary to protect further victims.”
Alleged Incidents Span Years
The lawsuit, filed June 13 in Los Angeles Superior Court, lays out a disturbing timeline from January 2020 through June 2021.
He recalled an incident in January 2020 at Perry’s Georgia home. Dixon says Perry entered his bed uninvited and began touching him. “I immediately jumped out of bed,” Dixon told the outlet.
A more alarming episode occurred in June 2021 back at Perry’s house. According to Dixon, he visited to discuss his pilot. Perry allegedly groped Dixon’s buttocks. Dixon said he told him “No,” and tried pulling his underwear back up. Perry allegedly grabbed his wrist and said, “relax” and “let it happen.”
Dixon said he stalled by asking about food and escaped to a bathroom. He added that Perry also sent years of inappropriate text messages. One example read, “What’s it going to take for you to have guiltless sex?”
Power, Leverage and Alleged Retaliation
Dixon claims that Perry used professional leverage to pressure compliance. The lawsuit states Perry suggested Dixon’s character could be killed off if he resisted. Dixon said he continued working while experiencing fear and emotional distress. He eventually asked for help and filed a complaint with the EEOC in 2024. When that didn’t work, he quit.
He described mounting mental health struggles. Dixon said he developed PTSD, anxiety, insomnia, and depression.
Tyler Perry’s attorney, Matthew Boyd, called the lawsuit a “fabricated scam” and said Perry “will not be shaken down.”
The case now enters the discovery phase. Dixon seeks a jury trial hoping for industry-wide change. He told reporters: “Everyone deserves to go to work and do their job without their boss trying to have sex with them.”