What are the allegations against Tyler Perry? Details explored as actor denies claims in $260M lawsuit

Tyler Perry reportedly faces sexual allegations from The Oval actor Derek Dixon in a lawsuit filed by him on June 13, 2025.

The lawsuit which was filed by Dixon in Los Angeles Superior Court, claimed that Perry used his industrial influence to coerce him into sexual practices and exploit him over the years. The actor is seeking at least $260 million in damages.

According to a report in ABC News, Dixon has allegedly said in his complaint that Perry promised career advancement and creative opportunities but subjected him to repeated sexual misconduct. He said he was subjected to,

“escalating sexual harassment, assault and battery, and professional retaliation.”

Dixon further alleged that Perry’s behavior included unwanted touching, groping and molestation.

The lawsuit also claimed that Tyler Perry threatened Dixon’s career, which included his role in The Oval, where he played Dale. He claimed that Perry warned him that his character’s survival depended on his compliance.

However, Perry has denied the claims. Here is what we have learnt.

How did Tyler Perry’s attorney respond to the claims made by Derek Dixon in his lawsuit?

After Derek Dixon allegedly accused Tyler Perry of sexual harassment, Perry’s attorney, Matthew Boyd, responded to his claims by denying all the allegations:

“This is an individual who got close to Tyler Perry for what now appears to be nothing more than setting up a scam. But Tyler will not be shaken down and we are confident these fabricated claims of harassment will fail.”

According to the complaint reported by Variety, Derek Dixon was working for an event company in 2019 when he met Perry at a party organized for the opening of his studio. After exchanging texts with him, Perry eventually offered him a role in Ruthless. He then reportedly started sending him sexual messages asking him questions like,

“What’s it going to take for you to have guiltless sex?”

His flirtatious messages escalated to physical assaults, per the lawsuit filed by Dixon. A report in ABC News stated that on one occasion in January 2020, Perry invited Dixon to his house in Douglasville County, Georgia, where he allegedly assaulted him after having alcohol.

The lawsuit stated:

“Dixon kept informing Perry that he was not into sex in order to keep Perry at bay while at the same time not insulting the person who was dangling his career in front of him.”

The lawsuit reportedly claimed that Perry’s assaults became more aggressive with time and Dixon feared losing his job. It read:

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"Dixon immediately understood that his job security depended on his 'relationship' with Perry. From this point on, Dixon worked with the constant fear of losing his job if he did not engage with and endure Perry's sexual harassment."

Dixon stated in his lawsuit that he wrote a script for a show, Losing It, that Perry promised to produce. But, the lawsuit stated, he never intended to do so, and instead he used the promise as leverage to continue to sexually exploit him.

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