"Tyler Perry Faces Sexual Assault Allegations in $260 Million Lawsuit Filed by Actor"

Getty Images: Tyler Perry is one of Hollywood's most successful actors, writers, directors and producers 

 "Tyler Perry Faces Sexual Assault Allegations in $260 Million Lawsuit Filed by Actor"

U.S. film and television mogul Tyler Perry is facing a $260 million (£194 million) lawsuit filed by actor Derek Dixon in Los Angeles. Dixon alleges that while working on Perry's shows The Oval and Ruthless, Perry used his industry influence to create a "coercive, sexually exploitative dynamic."

According to the lawsuit, Perry allegedly promised Dixon a successful acting career but subjected him to "escalating sexual harassment, assault and battery, and professional retaliation" when he rejected Perry’s "unwanted advances."

Perry’s attorney has strongly denied the claims, dismissing the lawsuit as a "scam" intended for financial gain.

Perry's attorney, Matthew Boyd, told : "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."

According to the lawsuit, Dixon first met Perry in 2019 during an event at Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta. Over several months, the two allegedly discussed Dixon's acting career. The suit claims Perry made repeated sexual comments, expressed interest in a sexual relationship, and made unwanted advances — all of which Dixon rejected.

Dixon was later offered roles in Perry’s shows Ruthless and The Oval. However, the lawsuit alleges that Perry warned Dixon his character on The Oval would be killed off if he ignored or failed to respond to Perry's advances, stating that the character "Dale" would survive only if Perry was kept "happy."

The complaint further details incidents where Perry allegedly sexually assaulted Dixon, including an encounter in a trailer on the set of The Oval, where Perry is accused of questioning Dixon about his sexual interests before pinning him against a wall and groping him. Dixon claims he resisted the advance and left the trailer.

To avoid ongoing harassment, Dixon says he chose to leave his role on The Oval and declined an offer from Perry to join the show as a writer.