Tyler Perry Faces $260 Million Sexual Harassment and Assault Lawsuit by Former Employee Actor

Famed billionaire, actor, producer, and writer Tyler Perry is now facing a $260 million lawsuit filed by former employee and actor, Derek Dixon, accusing Perry of sexual harassment, sexual assault, quid pro quo harassment, and more. Dixon filed his 46-page complaint on June 13, 2025 in Los Angeles County. The claim states Perry used his power and influence in the industry to “create a coercive, sexually exploitative dynamic with Mr. Dixon” throughout his tenure.

Dixon first met Perry in 2019 while working in a Tyler Perry Studios Party in Atlanta. After the two connected, Dixon was offered a small role in Tyler Perry Studios’ BET show Ruthless.

Throughout Dixon’s tenure with Perry, he received multiple inappropriate text messages from Perry, one of which stated “What’s it going to take for you to have guiltless sex?” These messages are detailed in his complaint.

Perry’s harassment did not stop at text messages, but further escalated towards physical, sexual assault. In January 2020, Perry invited Dixon to his house in Georgia, after a few drinks both parties agreed for Dixon to stay in Perry’s guest house due to alcohol consumption. While Dixon was in bed, Perry slipped into bed and groped Dixon’s lower body in a sexual manner. Dixon immediately got out of bed and told Perry various times he is not interested in any sexual relationships.

Shortly after the sexual assault, Perry offered Dixon a role in Tyler Perry Studios’ TV series The Oval. Yet, Perry’s sexual advancements proceeded to get worse. Perry has groped Dixon’s buttocks on multiple occasions, both in the workplace and during visits to his home. Dixon complied with Perry’s demands out of fear of retaliation, but frequently reiterated he was not attracted to Perry, nor was he interested in a sexual relationship.

In exchange to justify Perry’s sexual misconduct, Perry frequently offered Dixon incentives to secure his loyalty such as pay raises, bought him a new car, and offered to produce the pilot of Dixon’s first screen play. This opportunity would have fulfilled Dixon’s lifelong career dream of not only becoming an actor but also a screenwriter.

The claim states Perry has a pattern of sexual exploitation in exchange for promises of career advancement. If an actor failed to indulge in Perry’s sexual conduct, he would easily “kill off” the character. Perry made his power to rid of characters easily very clear to Dixon. With this thought looming over Dixon’s head, he was careful of how he avoided Perry’s sexual behavior, and ensured to stay on Perry’s good side.

At the end of The Oval’s first season, Dale, Dixon’s character is shot four times in the chest. Perry made it clear to Dixon, as long as if he does a “good job” in staying on his good side and delivers, (referring to Perry’s sexual conduct) then his character won’t be killed off. Perry has even threatened Dixon to not tell other cast members about their relationship, or it would lead to repercussions.

After filming five seasons of the Oval from 2020 to 2025, and endured sexual harassment, assault, and battery, and emotional distress; Dixon filed an official complaint with the EEOC in January 2025. He broke his public silence during his recent September 2025 ABC News Live interview with Anchor Linsey Davis. Dixon stated he based the million dollar figure in his complaint on “my lost job, my lost income, the loss of a show. The other part of that is a deterrent for how do you stop a billionaire who won’t stop themselves from doing this?"