Renowned filmmaker Tyler Perry was accused of sexual assault and harassment by one of the actors from his television drama series, “The Oval,” claiming the filmmaker wielded control over him.
Derek Dixon, who appeared in “The Oval,” accused Perry of promising him career advancements “only to subject him to escalating sexual harassment, assault and battery,” according to his $260 million lawsuit filed in the Los Angeles Superior Court last week, courtesy of Atlanta News First.
“Mr. Perry sought the one thing his wealth and influence could not purchase—a sexual relationship with a man who would remain silent,” the lawsuit read.
A lawyer for Perry told The New York Times that Dixon’s lawsuit was a “scam.”
“Tyler will not be shaken down and we are confident these fabricated claims of harassment will fail,” Perry’s lawyer told the outlet.
Dixon’s lawsuit claims that he and Perry met at an event in Atlanta in 2019, where they exchanged phone numbers. Their text conversations began with Perry giving Dixon career advice, but soon became sexually suggestive.
The lawsuit also cited a 2020 incident where Perry allegedly invited Dixon to his home in Douglasville, Georgia. The two had drinks, and Perry advised Dixon to stay the night in a guest room, but the filmmaker began rubbing Dixon “in a highly sexual and suggestive manner,” according to the suit.
Dixon jumped out of bed and told Perry he “wasn’t that sexual,” but Perry ignored the comment and instead directed him to turn around to see him in his underwear, according to the lawsuit. Dixon felt betrayed that night.
Perry’s calls and text messages to Dixon were ignored every day following the incident until he offered Dixon a role in “The Oval,” according to the lawsuit. During filming, Perry got more personal with the actor, “knowing that Dixon was now under his control,” the suit said.
The lawsuit claims that while filming, Perry asked Dixon about his sexual preferences, telling him he wanted something similar to a “friend with benefits” relationship with a man. However, Dixon knew that “a full-throated refusal” might result in his role being cut, and so he put up with Perry’s comments.
One season of “The Oval” ended with Dixon’s character ― a gay, homeless and desperate store clerk ― being shot four times in the chest. Dixon took this scene as a way for Perry to test his loyalty.
Perry said the shooting didn’t necessarily mean that Dixon’s character was out for future seasons, and if he did a good job he would be back, according to the suit.
“Dixon immediately understood that his job security depended on his ‘relationship’ with Perry,” the lawsuit read. “From this point on, Dixon worked with the constant fear of losing his job if he did not engage with and endure Perry’s sexual harassment.”
Dixon was allegedly assaulted by Perry again in 2021 while staying at his guest house, according to the lawsuit. Fearing that he would be raped by Perry, he locked himself inside the bathroom of the guest house and slept on the floor. Perry told Dixon the following day that testosterone supplements were to blame for his actions.
“Just like Harvey Weinstein, Bill Cosby, R. Kelly, Sean “P-Diddy” Combs, Kevin Spacey, Roger Ailes, and many others in the industry, Mr. Perry’s success has led him to believe that money and influence can get him whatever he wants,” the lawsuit read.