Hollywood Mogul Tyler Perry Faces $260 Million Lawsuit Alleging Sexual Assault and Harassment

Hollywood Mogul Tyler Perry Faces $260 Million Lawsuit Alleging Sexual Assault and Harassment

Los Angeles, CA – June 19, 2025 – Renowned filmmaker and media executive Tyler Perry is facing a significant legal battle, as actor Derek Dixon has filed a lawsuit seeking at least $260 million in damages, alleging a sustained pattern of sexual assault, harassment, and retaliation. The lawsuit, filed last Friday in Los Angeles Superior Court, casts a shadow over Perry's empire and has sent ripples through the entertainment industry.

Dixon, who appeared in 85 episodes of Perry's BET series "The Oval," claims that Perry leveraged his considerable influence and power to create a "coercive, sexually exploitative dynamic." The lawsuit details a series of alleged incidents, including unwanted sexual text messages, groping, and multiple instances of sexual assault. Dixon asserts that Perry initially promised career advancement and creative opportunities, such as producing his pilot and casting him in his shows, only to subject him to escalating sexual harassment and assault when his advances were not reciprocated.

According to the complaint, the alleged misconduct began after Dixon met Perry in 2019 at an event at Tyler Perry Studios. Dixon claims that Perry offered him roles on "Ruthless" and then a more significant role on "The Oval," with the understanding that his character's fate was tied to his compliance with Perry's alleged sexual aggression. The lawsuit includes screenshots of alleged text messages and describes instances where Perry allegedly "forcibly pulled off Mr. Dixon's clothing, groped his buttocks, and attempted to force himself on Dixon."

Dixon's legal team also alleges that when he resisted Perry's advances, he faced professional retaliation, including threats to "kill off" his character if he did not engage with the sexual innuendoes. Despite moving from Atlanta, where Perry's studios are located, to Los Angeles to create distance, Dixon claims the harassment continued.

In 2024, Dixon reportedly filed a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). When this did not result in action from the show's producers, he eventually quit.

Matthew Boyd, an attorney representing Tyler Perry, has vehemently denied all allegations, branding the lawsuit as "a scam." In a statement, Boyd asserted, "Tyler will not be shaken down, and we are confident these fabricated claims of harassment will fail."

The lawsuit includes ten causes of action, among them sexual battery, sexual harassment, workplace gender violence, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. It also invokes California's Sexual Abuse and Cover Up Accountability Act, which allows for the revival of certain claims that might have otherwise been time-barred.

This high-profile case is expected to draw significant attention as it moves through the legal system, with Dixon requesting a jury trial to seek the substantial damages. The outcome will undoubtedly have a profound impact on both Tyler Perry's career and the broader conversation surrounding power dynamics and accountability in Hollywood.