Tyler Perry 260 million dollar lawsuit: Derek Dixion speaks out for the first time since accusations, says 'I couldn't stay silent…'

Time of India

11-07-2025

Derek Dixon recently made his first public statement after filing a $260 million lawsuit against the director and actor. He had shared earlier last month that Perry had been involved in alleged sexual harassment, assault and retaliation, among other things.
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Dixon opens up for the first time since filing the lawsuit
Derek Dixon, who starred in Perry's 'The Oval' and 'Ruthless', issued his first statement since he filed an official lawsuit against the director for s*xually harassing and assaulting him as well. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, the actor shared his side of the story and shared that filing the lawsuit was one of the most terrifying things that he had to do. He shared that although he was scared, he could not let Perry "just let him get away with this'.
He continued, sharing that "Everyone deserves to go to work and do their job without their boss trying to have s*x with them. My goal is to help ensure that the next generation of actors and creatives don't have to choose between their dreams and their dignity'.
The 'Ruthless' actor opens up about the reaction
The actor even addressed how the reactions he has been receiving after coming out about the assault have been extremely mixed. He stated in the interview that "This is why people, especially men, don't come forward.
I was too afraid to come forward. I knew it would be awful. And I was right'.
While being asked whether any solutions were sought out for the matter before he went public, the actor responded that attempts to resolve such situations are always made. He continued, saying that even if a solution is reached, it does not provide any relief or help to the person affected the most by the matter.
He also delved into how he had put this off for so long, and had tried his level best to reassure himself that whatever happened to him was 'normal'.
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The actor then later shared that he reached a point where "eventually, I couldn't stay silent anymore'.
Tyler Perry issues statement against Dixon's comments
In a statement issued to People, Tyler Perry's side denied all allegations and shared that the director and actor will not be shaken down by this. His attorney, Mathew Boyd, shared that "This is an individual who got close to Tyler Perry for what now appears to be nothing more than setting up a scam'. He continued his statement that 'Tyler will not be shaken down, and we are confident these fabricated claims of harassment will fail'.