Derek Dixon Accuses Tyler Perry of Sexual Harassment and Assault
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/tyler-perry-derek-dixon-main-split-061825-b2f376896e1046dfb1f0d1ce77d305b4.jpg)
An actor from the popular series The Oval has accused director and producer Tyler Perry of sexual harassment, assault, and retaliation. The lawsuit, filed by Derek Dixon on June 13 in Los Angeles, alleges that Perry created a coercive and sexually exploitative environment, threatening to kill off Dixon’s character if he refused Perry’s advances.
Perry has vehemently denied the allegations, with his lawyer dismissing them as “fabricated claims” aimed at extorting the filmmaker. Despite the legal battle unfolding in the public eye, who exactly is Derek Dixon, the man at the centre of this controversy?
Dixon, originally from Raleigh, North Carolina, moved to New York City to pursue his acting career after studying at Marymount Manhattan College and the T. Schreiber Studio. He began his career in theatre, appearing in productions like The Lion in Winter, Romeo and Juliet, and The Boys in the Band before transitioning to writing his own plays.
Inspired by the impactful stories he encountered on stage, Dixon penned several full-length plays, including Homewrecker, Red Snow, Pictures of People, Work of Art, and Green Light. His dedication to storytelling eventually led him to a role on The Oval, where he portrayed Dale for five seasons.
On the political drama series, Dixon’s character Dale stood out for his integrity and resilience amidst the turmoil of the White House setting. Despite facing challenging decisions, Dale maintained his principles and won the admiration of viewers for his steadfastness.
Dixon’s legal battle with Perry traces back to their alleged first encounter in September 2019 at the opening party for Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta. Subsequent interactions, as detailed in the lawsuit, purportedly involved Perry making suggestive gestures and offering career opportunities in exchange for compliance.
In the lawsuit, Dixon claims that Perry sexually assaulted him in two separate incidents in 2020 and 2021, leading to severe emotional and physical distress, including depression, anxiety, and PTSD. The legal document also asserts that Dixon lost significant earnings due to his departure from The Oval.
The lawsuit against Perry seeks a jury trial and damages amounting to $260 million for the alleged misconduct. While Perry’s attorney has dismissed the claims as baseless and part of an extortion attempt, the legal proceedings have garnered attention for shedding light on issues of power dynamics and abuse in the entertainment industry.
In response to the allegations, Perry’s camp maintains confidence in refuting the claims and defending against what they perceive as a calculated scheme to tarnish the filmmaker’s reputation. As the legal dispute unfolds, the public awaits further developments in the complex and contentious case between Derek Dixon and Tyler Perry.