Tyler Perry Sexual Assault Accuser Interview: Key points to know
Tyler Perry accused of harassment by The Oval Actor, Derek Dixon.
Actor Derek Dixon has spoken publicly for the first time since filing a $260 million sexual harassment and assault lawsuit against filmmaker Tyler Perry. In a televised interview, Dixon shared his account of alleged misconduct, while Perry and his legal team strongly deny all accusations.
The Allegations and the $260 Million Claim
Dixon, best known for his role as Dale in Perry’s BET series The Oval and Ruthless, filed the lawsuit in June 2025. He claims he endured repeated harassment, inappropriate text messages, and physical advances from Perry between 2019 and 2024.
Explaining the lawsuit’s $260 million figure, Dixon said part of it reflects lost income and projects, while the rest is meant to serve as a deterrent. “Part of that number is my lost job, my lost income, the loss of a show,” he told ABC News. “The other part is, how do you stop a billionaire who won’t stop themselves from doing this?”
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Tyler Perry accused of sexual harassment by Oval Actor
How Dixon Met Perry and His Acting Breakthrough
Dixon first met Perry at a studio opening party in 2019, where Perry reportedly gave him his number and encouraged his acting ambitions. Soon after, Dixon landed the role of Dale, appearing in more than 80 episodes between 2021 and 2025.
The actor described it as a dream opportunity but said that during his time on the series, Perry began sending him messages of a sexual nature. According to Dixon, the alleged behavior escalated to in-person encounters that left him feeling uncomfortable and vulnerable.
Incidents Alleged in the Lawsuit
In the complaint, Dixon details multiple incidents, including one where Perry allegedly climbed into bed with him after a night of drinks and another where he was physically groped in Perry’s trailer. Dixon also claims that Perry pressured him during a 2021 encounter at the mogul’s Atlanta home, where he says Perry attempted to pull down his underwear.
“I didn’t know what to do,” Dixon told ABC News, adding that he locked himself in a bathroom to avoid further escalation. By 2024, Dixon said he cut off contact with Perry and left The Oval. He also alleges that a show he was writing, Losing It, never advanced because Perry’s studio held the rights.
Tyler Perry’s Response to the Claims
Perry’s attorney, Matthew Boyd, has firmly denied the allegations. In a statement to People, Boyd called the claims a “scam” and said Perry would not be “shaken down.”
“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. “We are confident these fabricated claims of harassment will fail.”
Perry, one of Hollywood’s most successful filmmakers and a billionaire entrepreneur, has not commented personally but has signaled that he will fight the lawsuit in court.
Dixon’s Fight for Accountability
Despite the challenges, Dixon said filing the lawsuit was about more than personal justice. “Everyone deserves to go to work and do their job without their boss trying to have sex with them,” he said.
He explained that justice would mean ensuring no other actors face similar experiences: “It would look like thinking I’ve made a change and that something like this won’t happen to another actor that works for him or another actor in the industry.”
Dixon has requested a jury trial, and the case is expected to continue drawing widespread attention as it develops.
