Derek Dixon, an actor from the TV show The Oval, is suing Tyler Perry and Tyler Perry Studios for a massive $260 million, alleging sexual harassment and assault. Dixon recently spoke out in an interview with ABC News, where he detailed the first alleged incident. This whole thing has been building since Dixon filed the lawsuit back in June, and now he’s making his claims public.
The lawsuit itself, which was first reported by TMZ when it was filed, mirrors what Dixon told ABC News. It claims that after the alleged incident where Perry got into bed with him and started touching his thighs, Dixon rejected the advances. The lawsuit is seeking a staggering $260 million in damages for quid pro quo, workplace sexual harassment, and sexual assault and battery. The stakes are incredibly high, and it’s clear this is a serious legal battle.
Dixon described a night in January 2020 at Perry’s Atlanta home. He says he had too much to drink and went to sleep in a guest room. According to Dixon, he got into bed and then noticed that Perry “climbed into bed with me as well and started rubbing my leg. I jumped up out of bed.”
Tyler Perry’s lawsuit keeps getting bigger became national news
He also spoke about the emotional impact of the alleged incident, telling Davis, “Unless someone has been through something where they have their control over their bodies taken away you don’t really understand the kind of feelings that you get in that moment.” This is a tough accusation, and it sounds like he’s trying to convey the seriousness of what he says happened to him.
On the other hand, Perry’s camp isn’t taking this sitting down. They’ve publicly called the lawsuit a “scam.” That’s a strong statement that suggests they believe the claims are completely unfounded. It sets up a classic he said/he said scenario, with both sides having very different accounts of what happened. Given how much money is on the line and the high-profile nature of Tyler Perry, this is going to be a very closely watched case.
It’s interesting that Dixon is choosing to speak out on a national platform like ABC News. It shows that he’s serious about his claims and wants to get his side of the story out there for everyone to hear. This isn’t just a quiet legal proceeding; it’s a public battle for reputation and credibility. It’s something The Boondocks even touched on, since this has been a rumor about Perry for years.
The full interview is set to air tonight on ABC News Live PRIME, which will likely reveal more details about Dixon’s allegations and his motivations for speaking out now. For anyone interested in the case, it’s definitely something to tune into.
Published: Sep 10, 2025 10:00 am