Tyler Perry accused of sexual assault by ‘The Oval’ actor Derek Dixon
Director and actor Tyler Perry has been accused of a series of sexual offences in a new lawsuit filed by actor Derek Dixon.
Dixon, who has worked with Perry on The Oval and Ruthless, has accused Perry of sexual harassment, workplace gender violence and sexual assault in a new $260 million lawsuit that was filed in Los Angeles last week.
According to the filing, Dixon was allegedly staying at Perry’s guesthouse after being invited to his home for drinks in June 2021 when the director groped his bottom while drunk. Dixon’s lawsuit states he initially intended to go back to his residence but was persuaded not to drive due to consuming alcohol.
The lawsuit says of the alleged incident: “Dixon agreed and was escorted to a separate guest room, not knowing that this was a ruse to allow Perry to assault Dixon. Dixon was tired and did not have pajamas and so he got into bed only wearing underwear. Before he knew what was happening, Dixon felt someone else slip into bed behind him and start rubbing Dixon’s body around his inner thigh in a highly sexual and suggestive manner.”
The duo first met in 2019 at a party in Atlanta when Dixon was working for an events company. The filing claims Perry “picked (Dixon) out of a crowd of employees present at the Party, and began asking (Dixon) questions about his employment status, and whether Plaintiff was an actor.” He then gave Dixon his first acting role, which the lawsuit says was “a small role that could get a lot bigger” and “alleges was the first stage in a series of escalating quid pro quo offers.”
Dixon’s filing states that Perry has “a troubling pattern of exploiting vulnerable male actors and employees” and compares him with a series of disgraced figures from Hollywood, before claiming, “Mr Perry’s success has led him to believe that money and influence can get him whatever he wants.”
It added: “Tyler Perry has been using his power and influence to molest, abuse, and sexually assault impressionable and vulnerable employees and actors who look to him for guidance and mentorship.”
Perry has strongly denied Dixon’s claims through his attorney, Matthew Boyd. The lawyer has labelled the $260 million lawsuit a “shakedown”.
“This is an individual who got close to Tyler Perry for what now appears to be nothing more than setting up a scam,” Boyd said in a statement. “But Tyler will not be shaken down and we are confident these fabricated claims of harassment will fail.”
For help, advice or more information regarding sexual harassment, assault and rape in the UK, visit the Rape Crisis charity website. In the US, visit RAINN.
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