Photo Credit:BBC
Actor Derek Dixon, who appeared on Tyler Perry’s BET dramas The Oval and Ruthless, has spoken publicly for the first time since filing a $260 million lawsuit accusing Perry of sexual assault and workplace retaliation.
In an emotional interview with ABC News, Dixon described the fear and humiliation he says he experienced while working with Perry, explaining that he could no longer remain silent. According to Dixon, the abuse began with persistent and suggestive text messages, including one where Perry allegedly asked, “What’s it going to take for you to have guiltless sex?”
Dixon claims the situation escalated during an overnight stay in Perry’s guest house. He said Perry entered his bedroom without consent, climbed into his bed and began rubbing his leg. Dixon says he leapt from the bed in shock. He further alleges that Perry later pinned him against a trailer wall, groped him and on another occasion forcibly pulled down his underwear while taking a weight measurement.
The actor also says his professional career suffered after he rejected Perry’s advances. He claims Perry retaliated by writing his character off The Oval and blocking a pilot project Dixon had been developing. Feeling cornered, Dixon filed a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in 2024, but says no action was taken, leaving him to walk away from the show entirely.
The lawsuit seeks $260 million in damages, which Dixon argues reflects the income and opportunities he lost as well as the need to hold powerful figures accountable. He said the staggering amount is meant to send a message that even billionaires cannot act without consequences.Tyler Perry, through his attorney, has strongly denied the allegations. His legal team has described the claims as false, insisting that Perry will not be intimidated or shaken down.
Dixon, however, says his decision to come forward is not about money but about justice. He hopes that speaking out will help protect other actors and creatives in the entertainment industry from enduring similar experiences. For him, breaking the silence has been both painful and necessary, a step toward reclaiming his voice after what he describes as a period of deep fear and isolation.