Acclaimed filmmaker and media mogul Tyler Perry is facing a $260 million lawsuit after actor Derek Dixon, known for his role as Dale on BET’s The Oval, publicly accused him of sexual assault and workplace coercion.
In his first televised interview with ABC News on September 9, Dixon alleged that Perry crossed professional boundaries and created an environment where he feared for both his safety and career.
Dixon claimed that during an encounter at Perry’s Atlanta home, the filmmaker pulled down his underwear and grabbed his buttocks. “I was under constant stress, scared I’d lose my job or be written off the show if I didn’t comply,” Dixon said.
The actor explained that the $260 million damages reflect not only his lost income but also an effort to deter future misconduct:
“Part of that number is my lost job, my lost income, the loss of a show. The other part is a deterrent for how you stop a billionaire who won’t stop themselves.”
Dixon further accused Perry of failing to honor a promise to produce a TV pilot he wrote, which he alleges Perry continues to control.
Despite the personal risk, Dixon said he came forward to protect other creatives:
“Never exploit someone’s aspirations to coerce them into a relationship. That’s unprofessional.”
Perry has vehemently denied the allegations. His attorney, Matthew Boyd, described Dixon’s claims as part of “an elaborate scam,” adding:
“Tyler will not be coerced, and we are confident these unfounded harassment claims will not succeed.”
Dixon filed a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) in January 2024 before leaving The Oval later that year. He formally launched the lawsuit in June 2025, intensifying scrutiny over power dynamics and harassment in Hollywood.
So far, Dixon remains the only publicly identified accuser, while Perry maintains his innocence.
