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Fox News
39 minutes ago
- Entertainment
- Fox News
Tyler Perry sued for $260M by actor claiming sexual harassment and assault
Tyler Perry is being sued by actor Derek Dixon for $260 million for alleged sexual assault, harassment and retaliation. The complaint, which was filed on June 13, showed Dixon accusing Perry of creating "a coercive, sexually exploitative dynamic" while filming "The Oval" and "Ruthless." Dixon starred in Perry's shows as the character Dale. The complaint, obtained by Fox News Digital, accused the filmmaker of "initially promising him [Dixon] career advancement and creative opportunities, such as producing his pilot and casting him in his show, only to subject him to escalating sexual harassment, assault and battery, and professional retaliation when Mr. Dixon did not reciprocate Mr. Perry's unwanted advances." Matthew Boyd, an attorney for Tyler Perry and TPS Production Services, LLC, shared a statement with Fox News Digital. "This is an individual who got close to Tyler Perry for what now appears to be nothing more than setting up a scam. But Tyler will not be shaken down and we are confident these fabricated claims of harassment will fail," the statement read. "Tyler will not be shaken down and we are confident these fabricated claims of harassment will fail." Dixon said that he met Perry in September 2019 while working at the opening party of Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta. By November 2019, Perry offered Dixon a role in "Ruthless" that would "change his life," according to the complaint. After filming a few small scenes in Perry's show, Dixon was asked to work at another party for the filmmaker in December 2019. At that point, Dixon accuses Perry of calling him and texting him often, demanding he give Perry "some attention." Dixon claims he was sexually assaulted by Perry in January 2020 and was offered a role as a series regular in "The Oval" the following month. After reading the script for the first season, Dixon learned that his character's fate was left up in the air by the season finale. "Mr. Perry made it clear to Dixon that if Dixon ignored Perry or failed to engage with the sexual innuendos, Dixon's character would 'die' in the next season. "Indeed, Dixon's character 'Dale' was shot four times in the chest at the end of his first season on 'The Oval,' and Perry always held this over Mr. Dixon's head, implying that 'Dale' would survive if Dixon kept Perry 'happy,'" the complaint stated. After filming the scene, Dixon stated that he went to Perry's trailer and was groped by the star. He claimed a similar incident happened during a cast trip to the Bahamas in October 2020. Dixon alleged in the complaint that he visited a doctor in December 2020 who "indicated that Dixon's exhibited severe symptoms of acute stress, insomnia, stomach issues, and dangerously low cortisol levels due to the sexual harassment and assault." He claims he was prescribed Zoloft, which is an antidepressant. In June 2021, Dixon claimed that Perry invited him to his home to discuss his pilot episode for "Losing It," which Perry had expressed an interest in producing, according to the complaint. Dixon claimed Perry sexually assaulted him during this meeting. Dixon claimed over the next five months, he "suffered from severe depression, anxiety, stomach pains, and nausea" and was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder. After his diagnosis, Dixon said that Perry had "fixers" who came in and offered him a raise to return to "The Oval" and the filmmaker would buy the right to produce "Losing It." Dixon told Perry in January 2023 that he was moving to California to put "some distance" between the two of them, according to the complaint. Dixon continued to star in "The Oval" until the final season – which cost him close to $400,000. The complaint shows Dixon suing Perry for quid pro quo sexual harassment, sexual battery, sexual assault, intentional infliction of emotional distress, retaliation and more. The actor is requesting a jury trial and $260 million in damages.
Economic Times
an hour ago
- Entertainment
- Economic Times
From explicit messages to groping: What we know about Derek Dixon's sexual harassment lawsuit against Tyler Perry
AP Filmmaker Tyler Perry has been sued by actor Derek Dixon accusing him of sexual harassment. Actor and screenwriter Derek Dixon has filed a $260 million sexual harassment lawsuit against filmmaker Tyler Perry in Los Angeles County Superior Court, alleging a series of unwanted advances, groping incidents, and an alleged attempt by Perry to use professional opportunities to conceal sexual misconduct. The claims span from 2019 to 2021 and include allegations of sexually explicit messages, coercive behavior, and inappropriate physical contact. Perry's legal team has denied the accusations, calling the lawsuit a 'scam' aimed at financial gain. In the 46-page complaint, Dixon paints Perry as someone who allegedly believed his power and success could entitle him to whatever he desired — including a secret sexual relationship. 'Mr. Perry sought the one thing his wealth and influence could not purchase — a sexual relationship with a man who would remain silent,' the suit states. According to the filing, Perry offered Dixon his first acting job in 2019 while Dixon was working at an events company. Later that year, Perry allegedly invited him to his Georgia home, served him drinks, and encouraged him to stay overnight. That evening, Perry reportedly entered Dixon's guest room and began groping him, despite Dixon making it clear he wasn't interested. The lawsuit claims Perry continued sending sexually explicit texts and became more aggressive when Dixon ignored him. After Dixon joined the cast of Perry's BET series The Oval , the alleged harassment intensified. The suit accuses Perry of frequently calling or texting him, referring to him as a personal "pet," and making lewd remarks about his sex life. Dixon's character was initially written to be killed off at the end of the season, but Perry allegedly hinted that his fate could change depending on how he handled their 'relationship.' The suit claims Perry warned Dixon not to speak about their interactions with anyone on set. Among the most serious allegations are two groping incidents in 2020, including one during a cast trip to the Bahamas, and a 2021 encounter at Perry's home in which he allegedly assaulted Dixon while he was naked. Following that alleged incident, one of Perry's lawyers reportedly praised Dixon's performance on The Oval , saying 'Christmas came early,' and he was later given a raise. The lawsuit also claims Perry bought the rights to Dixon's script Losing It as a form of leverage, with no intention of actually producing it. The show was filmed but never developed further. Perry allegedly used the project to manipulate Dixon, holding it over his head like 'the sword of Damocles.' Eventually, Perry offered Dixon a writing role, which Dixon declined. He later filed a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), though its status remains unclear. In response, Perry's lawyer dismissed the claims as a baseless extortion attempt, saying: 'Tyler will not be shaken down and we are confident these fabricated claims of harassment will fail.'
Arab Times
4 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Arab Times
Tyler Perry sued by actor on 'The Oval' for harassment
LOS ANGELES, June 18, (AP): An actor who worked on the Tyler Perry-created TV drama "The Oval' has filed a lawsuit alleging Perry leveraged his industry power to repeatedly sexually assault and harass him while keeping him quiet. The lawsuit filed in Los Angeles Superior Court by actor Derek Dixon, who appeared on 85 episodes of the BET series, seeks at least $260 million in damages. "Mr. Perry took his success and power and used his considerable influence in the entertainment industry to create a coercive, sexually exploitative dynamic with Mr. Dixon - initially promising him career advancement and creative opportunities, such as producing his pilot and casting him in his show, only to subject him to escalating sexual harassment, assault and battery, and professional retaliation,' the lawsuit says. The lawsuit was filed Friday and first reported Tuesday by TMZ. Perry's attorney, Matthew Boyd, said its allegations are false. "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 Tuesday. "But Tyler will not be shaken down, and we are confident these fabricated claims of harassment will fail.' The lawsuit says that Perry first noticed Dixon in 2019 when Dixon was part of the event staff at a Perry party, and later offered an audition. Dixon would first appear in a small role on the Perry series "Ruthless" before getting the bigger role on the political drama "The Oval.' Perry soon began sending unwanted sexual text messages to Dixon, according to the lawsuit, which includes screenshots of several of them. "What's it going to take for you to have guiltless sex?' one of the messages says. The lawsuit says Perry offered Dixon an increasingly prominent role on the show as his sexual advances became more aggressive. The actor says he tried to remain friendly while maintaining boundaries. "Dixon did his best to tiptoe around Mr. Perry's sexual aggression while keeping on Mr. Perry's good side,' the lawsuit says. "Mr. Perry made it clear to Dixon that if Dixon ignored Perry or failed to engage with the sexual innuendoes, Dixon's character would 'die.'' The lawsuit says Perry eventually sexually assaulted Dixon on "multiple occasions," including an instance where he "forcibly pulled off Mr. Dixon's clothing, groped his buttocks, and attempted to force himself on Dixon." Dixon clearly told Perry "No,' but was initially ignored until he was able to de-escalate the situation and change the subject, according to the lawsuit. The following day, Perry apologized, and told Dixon he would work with Dixon on a TV pilot Dixon was seeking to produce. Dixon later received a raise that the lawsuit suggests was part of an attempt to keep him quiet. He said the fear of his character dying kept him quiet as intended. Perry also produced and bought the rights to the pilot, called "Losing It,' but the lawsuit alleges Perry had no intention of selling the show and was using it only for leverage over Dixon. The lawsuit describes several other assaults, including one where Dixon was staying in a guest room of Perry's house when Perry climbed into bed with him uninvited and began groping him, the lawsuit alleges. Dixon would eventually move from Atlanta, home to Perry's production studio, to Los Angeles to put distance between the two of them. Dixon in 2024 filed a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and when that didn't result in any action from the show's producers, he quit. The Associated Press does not typically name people who say they have been sexually abused unless they come forward publicly as Dixon has. "The Oval' is one of many television series executive produced by, written by, and directed by the 55-year-old Perry, who first became known as creator and star of the "Madea' films and has since built a major production empire in TV and movies. As an actor he has also appeared in the films "Gone Girl' and "Don't Look Up.'
Mint
4 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Mint
Tyler Perry accused of alleged sexual harassment and assault by actor Derek Dixon
Washington DC [US], June 18 (ANI): American actor and filmmaker Tyler Perry has been accused of alleged sexual harassment and assault by artist Derek Dixon, who appeared on Perry's BET show The Oval, reported Variety. As per the outlet, Derek Dixon, who appeared in 85 episodes of the show, alleges in the suit that Perry abused his power in the industry to sexually exploit him. The complaint states that in June 2021, while staying at Perry's guesthouse, Perry, allegedly intoxicated, groped Dixon's buttocks. The suit also quotes from text messages, alleging that Perry made numerous sexual remarks and propositions over several years, reported Deadline. The lawsuit seeks at least 260 million USD in punitive damages. Responding to the allegations, Perry's attorney Matthew Boyd dismissed the suit as a "shakedown," reported Variety. "This is an individual who got close to Tyler Perry for what now appears to be nothing more than setting up a scam," Matthew Boyd said. "But Tyler will not be shaken down, and we are confident these fabricated claims of harassment will fail," reported Variety. According to the complaint, Dixon was working for an event company in 2019 when he met Perry at a party for the mogul's Atlanta studio. The suit alleges that Perry took an interest in Dixon, phoning him and eventually offering him the role of Dale on "Restless." Dixon alleges that Perry hired him for additional parties and invited him to his home, where Dixon had several drinks. According to the suit, Perry insisted that he was too drunk to drive home and offered him a guest room. The suit alleges that Perry climbed into bed with Dixon, prompting Dixon to jump out of bed. "Dixon kept informing Perry that he was not into sex in order to keep Perry at bay while at the same time not insulting the person who was dangling his career in front of him," the lawsuit states. According to the complaint, Perry did not take no for an answer, following up with suggestive text messages and other comments. Soon afterwards, Dixon was cast on "The Oval," reported Deadline According to the complaint, Dixon feared that if he did not accede, Perry would kill off his character and destroy his career. According to the complaint, Dixon also wrote a script for a show, "Losing It," and Perry promised to produce the pilot. The suit alleges that Dixon went to Perry's house in June 2021 to discuss the show - but that Perry then took advantage of the situation and tried to sexually assault him in the guest house. The suit states claims of sexual harassment, assault, infliction of emotional distress and retaliation, reported Deadline. (ANI)
Time of India
5 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Tyler Perry sexual assault charges: ‘The Oval' actor Derek Dixion accuses Perry—hits the actor-filmmaker with a 260 million dollar lawsuit
Derek Dixon, popular actor from 'The Oval,' has filed a lawsuit against Tyler Perry for sexual assault in a bombshell reveal. He shared the ordeal of meeting Perry in 2019, getting cast in 'The Oval,' and even receiving allegedly sexually suggestive messages from the filmmaker as well. Derek Dixon files a lawsuit against Tyler Perry for sexual assault On the charges of sexual assault, Dixon, who is known for projects like 'Ruthless' and 'Losing It,' has filed a 260 million dollar lawsuit against Tyler Perry, as per TMZ reports. The star alleged that they met for the first time in 2019 during an event party where the actor was sought out by Perry on purpose. The two had shared numbers, after which Perry had scored him a minor role on 'Ruthless.' The story continued in 2020, when he alleges that Tyler invited him over to his home, where Derek drank too much and fell asleep due to his inebriated state. He shared that Tyler got into the same bed with him and attempted to touch his thighs. Despite refusing his advances, Perry persisted and remained involved. Dixon also shared that in the reports that later on, another incident occurred in 2020 in Tyler Perry's home in Atlanta, where the actor was invited. He shared that Perry turned the conversation between the two towards asking inappropriate questions like if he "likes it rough in bed." by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Buy Brass Idols - Handmade Brass Statues for Home & Gifting Luxeartisanship Buy Now Undo Afterwards, Tyler had grabbed Dixon by his throat and had said, "Look how excited you just got" to him. The actor stated that he pushed the 'House of Payne' director away, and the incident came to an end there. Sexually suggestive messages shared by Tyler Perry Furthermore, Dixion detailed that after landing his pivotal role as Dale in 'The Oval,' he started receiving suggestive and questionable messages from Perry. He alleges that the 'Straw' director would send him odd texts about how he gets involved with men and had even asked him about his sexual preferences as well. Dixon claims he feared losing his job Dixon also alleged that Tyler used his power and influence in the industry to exploit him and create a 'coercive, sexually exploitative dynamic.' He shared that his 'The Oval' character has also been written as a gay and homeless man who sleeps around with people for places to stay. He alleges that Perry shared that he was also seeking a similar partner, someone who was dependent and loyal to the actor and filmmaker. In a bout of fear, rather than reporting the matter, Derek shared that he refused the advances by saying he was not "the sexual type." Dixon alleges that Perry 'groped' him in 2021 The actor also alleges that Tyler Perry groped him and said, "Relax and just let it happen" to him while he was staying in the director's guest house. He shared that to deflect the situation, he refused the advances and changed the subject as well. Perry's legal aid issues statement In response to the lawsuit filed against Perry, his legal aid and lawyer, Matthew Boyd, issued a statement. He stated that 'This is an individual who got close to Tyler Perry for what now appears to be nothing more than setting up a scam, but Tyler will not be shaken down, and we are confident these fabricated claims of harassment will fail.'
